Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Assistant

We have an exciting opportunity available for a Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Assistant. You will support our team of Speech and Language Therapists to deliver interventions to children who have speech, language and communication difficulties associated with significant and complex health and education needs.

You will deliver individual and group therapy plans designed by a Speech and Language Therapist to Pre School and school aged children across a variety of locations including patient homes, nurseries, clinics/health centres, mainstream and Special School settings.

This post also involves preparing therapy materials and carrying out administrative tasks associated with the Team. Experience of using a range of IT systems is essential.

Applications are invited from individuals with a range of experience of working with children with significant additional and complex needs. A specific interest in supporting and developing the communication needs of this caseload, experience of using alternate methods of communication including symbol based systems and Makaton and previous experience of working alongside an SLT are all essential.

Access to your own vehicle for work is essential.

• To implement programmes of care devised by Speech and Language Therapists for children with significant and complex health and education needs
• To modify approaches and activities within programmes of care to meet requirements/contexts
• To support the children and their families in using alternative and augmentative systems of communication
• To liaise with individuals involved with the patient including families and other professionals
• To prepare therapy materials and carry out administrative tasks

Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead.

Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients.

We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region.

Our values should be the ‘golden thread’ which runs through everything we do – they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronym ICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement.

We have a number of staff networks including the Global Ethnic Majority (GEM) network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women’s Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our Armed Forces network is one of our emerging networks.

The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our ‘Balance’ programme balancegateshead.com to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.

• To implement programmes of care devised by Speech and Language Therapists for children with significant and complex health and education needs
• To modify approaches and activities within programmes of care to meet requirements/contexts
• To support the children and their families in using alternative and augmentative systems of communication
• To liaise with individuals involved with the patient including families and other professionals
• To prepare therapy materials and carry out administrative tasks
• To work within the Multi-disciplinary Team to provide support and appropriate interventions to patients in Gateshead to improve their health and maximise their level of independence.
• To carry an allocated patient caseload under the supervision of qualified staff and supervise/motivate patients in activities relating to agreed treatment protocols.

To ensure that the highest level of patient care is achieved at all times in the most effective manner.

• Minimum of 5 GCSEs grade C ( or equivalent) or above (including English)
• NVQ level 4, BTEC or equivalent in relevant subjects.
• Experience of working with relevant client groups, and/or working in Nurseries/Pre school settings, mainstream and specialist schools e.g. Profound and Multiple Learning Disability (PMLD), Cerebral Palsy, Downs Syndrome, Autism
• Additional training relating to the specific client group and their overall management which is relevant to the post e.g. Makaton, PECS
• Experience of working under the instruction of a Speech and Language Therapist to implement language programmes and/or alternate communication systems e.g. Communication boards, Makaton, voice output communication aids.
• Knowledge of current Child Protection/Safeguarding children policies and procedures
• Experience of working with children with additional needs especially in relation to speech, language and communication
• Highly developed oral, written and non verbal communication skills including tact and sensitivity
• Highly developed observation and listening skills
• Organisational and time management skills
• Administrative and clerical skills- MDT support
• Ability to identify and appropriately minimise risk
• Ability to keep up to date with Trust Policies and procedures and attend statutory training, study days and staff meetings as required.
• Identify and be proactive in developing own skills and knowledge via supervision and appraisal systems and demonstrate competent practice
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team
• Working knowledge of Data Protection and Calidcott Principles
• Ability to prioritise workload safely
• Ability to work on his/her own initiative
• Have the ability to travel across multiple sites as required
• Daily requirements to sit at desk and use computer/VDU for multiple purposes.
• Daily requirement to receive complex clinical information and communicate this accurately and effectively to the correct recipient in a timely fashion
• Frequent periods of concentration when facilitating programs of care as prescribed by a senior staff member.
• Ability to switch tasks as a result of managing multiple demands on time and the potential for frequent interruptions.
• Accurate keyboarding/typing skills
• Knowledge of computer packages: Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, Powerpoint and Microsoft Projects.
• It Literate
• Excellent team player
• Experience of working independently.
• Experience of working to tight deadlines
• Experience of working in a Healthcare Environment.
• Experience of working in community healthcare systems

Capable of independent travel across Gateshead/Car Owner/driver