Speech & Language Therapist

12 months contract with a Local Authority

Job Title: Speech & Language Therapist

Job Purpose

To provide specialist speech and language therapy assessment advice intervention and support to school-aged children and young people with speech language and communication needs. The postholder will manage a defined caseload deliver evidence-based therapy programmes monitor outcomes and work collaboratively with families schools and multidisciplinary professionals to help children achieve their educational and developmental potential.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Practice

• Assess diagnose and provide specialist speech and language therapy interventions for children and young people with speech language and communication needs.
  
• Manage a defined caseload including children with complex needs requiring multidisciplinary input.
  
• Develop and implement individual therapy plans and measurable outcomes.
  
• Monitor review and evaluate progress using speech and language therapy and educational outcome measures.
  
• Provide written and verbal reports recommendations and feedback to families schools and relevant professionals.
  

Multi-Agency Working

• Work collaboratively with teachers educational staff health professionals parents carers and partner agencies.
  
• Contribute to multidisciplinary assessments and planning to achieve the best outcomes for children and young people.
  
• Provide professional advice and guidance to schools and families on communication needs and intervention strategies.
  

Leadership and Supervision

• Provide support mentoring and professional guidance to junior therapists and Speech and Language Therapy Assistants.
  
• Set objectives and monitor the effectiveness of delegated therapy programmes.
  
• Support the development of service standards policies and best practice.
  

Service Development

• Contribute to service improvement initiatives and professional developments.
  
• Assist in the implementation and review of therapy programmes policies and procedures.
  
• Participate in audits outcome measurement and quality assurance activities.
  

Safeguarding and Compliance

• Comply with safeguarding confidentiality and information governance requirements.
  
• Identify and escalate risks concerns complaints and safeguarding issues appropriately.
  
• Maintain accurate clinical records in accordance with professional and organisational standards.
  

Experience Required

Essential

• Experience managing a caseload of children and young people with speech language and communication needs.
  
• Experience undertaking specialist assessments diagnosis and intervention planning.
  
• Experience working collaboratively with schools families and multidisciplinary teams.
  
• Experience preparing reports and maintaining clinical records.
  
• Experience supporting or supervising less experienced therapists assistants or support staff.
  

Desirable

• Experience working within special schools or specialist educational settings.
  
• Experience supporting children with complex communication needs.
  
• Experience in service development training or quality improvement activities.
  

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc (Hons) Degree or equivalent recognised qualification in Speech and Language Therapy.
  
• Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
  
• Membership of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).
  
• Enhanced DBS clearance.
  

Desirable

• Postgraduate training or specialist qualifications in one or more of the following areas:
  
• Dysphagia
  
• PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System)
  
• Makaton
  
• TEACCH
  
• Speech Disorders
  

Skills and Competencies

• Advanced knowledge of speech language and communication disorders.
  
• Strong clinical assessment and intervention skills.
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  
• Ability to build effective relationships with children families schools and professionals.
  
• Excellent organisational and caseload management skills.
  
• Strong problem-solving and clinical decision-making abilities.
  
• Ability to work autonomously while contributing effectively to a multidisciplinary team.
  
• Good IT skills including Microsoft Office and clinical record management systems.
  
• Understanding of safeguarding confidentiality and information governance requirements.
  

Additional Information

• Location: Surrey
  
• Working Hours: 35 hours per week
  
• Pay Rate: 32.76 per hour (Umbrella)
  
• Reporting To: Clinical Team Leader
  
• Service Area: Speech and Language Therapy Children Schools and Families
  
• Travel Requirement: Regular travel may be required across the allocated geographical area within Surrey.
  
• Contract Type: Temporary contract (subject to service requirements).
  
• Professional Registration: HCPC registration and RCSLT membership must be maintained throughout employment.
  
• DBS Requirement: Enhanced DBS clearance required.
  
• Supervision: Regular clinical supervision peer support and continuing professional development opportunities provided.
  
• Management Responsibility: May involve supervision and support of Speech and Language Therapy Assistants and junior therapists.
  
• Work Environment: The postholder may work across mainstream schools specialist centres and special school settings within Surrey.
  
• Payment Schedule: Bi-weekly
  
• Start Date: Immediate start available
  
• Closing Date: Applications closing soon early applications are encouraged