Speech and Language TherapistNHS

Job summary

We are seeking to appoint a qualified Speech and Language Therapist (SaLT) to provide an on-site service for our students and work alongside the Head of Therapy to further enhance and continue to shape our therapeutic provision.

Main duties of the job

At Great Oaks College, therapy is at the heart of everything we do. We recognise the vital role that Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy play in supporting students' communication, independence, wellbeing and preparation for adulthood. Our therapeutic approach is embedded throughout college life, with therapists and education staff working closely together to ensure therapeutic strategies are integrated into everyday learning and experiences.

Job description

Main purpose of the job

• To provide an on-site Speech and Language Therapy service to students aged 1925, delivering therapy as specified in students Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
• To work as part of an integrated, holistic therapy team, embedding communication support across all aspects of college life.
• To act as the lead Speech and Language Therapist within the college, working closely alongside the Head of Therapy to develop, deliver, and strategically expand the SaLT provision.

Main responsibilities and tasks

• To deliver speech and language therapy as outlined in students EHCPs, including individual and group therapy as required.
• To support teaching and support staff to embed SaLT programmes into lessons in line with relevant curricula and pathways.
• To act as a leader and advocate for the Colleges Total Communication approach, supporting staff and wider stakeholders to understand and prioritise communication.
• To organise and manage own workload effectively in line with college deadlines, including clinical supervision, in collaboration with the Therapy Lead, Deputy Principals and pathway leads, to best meet student needs.
• To produce high-quality written reports for annual reviews and attend annual reviews as required.
• To play an integral role in the assessment of new students, including:
• Supporting the admissions and assessment process
• Liaising with current settings
• Visiting students in their existing placements
• Advising on and ordering appropriate SaLT equipment and resources
• To support staff to ensure SaLT resources are created, ordered, organised, and used effectively across the college.
• To work with external professionals as required for specialist interventions including Dysphagia
• To work collaboratively with the therapy team, teachers, and support staff to ensure therapy is viewed as a core value and integral part of Great Oaks College provision.
• To report regularly to the Principal and College Board on the Speech and Language Therapy service, providing expert advice to support the strategic development and expansion of the service in line with student growth.
• To work with the Senior Leadership Team to deliver against the Colleges Quality Improvement Plan, contributing specialist expertise to strategic planning.
• To work with family's and carers in transitioning skills to outside education, making referrals where appropriate
• To work with Deputy Principals to identify, organise, and deliver training to college staff and the wider community supporting students.
• To support the transition of students communication aids and strategies outside of college as they prepare to leave education.
• To undertake any other duties commensurate with the post as required by the Principal.

Key Relationships (Internal and External)

The Students

Staff at Great Oaks College

Clinical supervisors

Parents and carers

School / College Leadership Team

Feeder schools and other educational settings

Staff supporting student transition and employment

College Board

Equal Opportunities

The College has a strong commitment to achieving equality of opportunity and expects all employees to actively promote and implement this in their work.

Health and Safety

The College is committed to providing a healthy and safe working environment and expects all employees to adhere to and promote health and safety policies at all times.

Confidentiality

The College is committed to maintaining the privacy of all staff and students. All staff must handle personal information in a sensitive and professional manner and must not access information they are not authorised to have.

Safeguarding

The College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. All staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment. Appointment is subject to appropriate safeguarding checks.

About us

Great Oaks College is a specialist independent college operating across two sites, providing further education opportunities for students aged 19-25 with Autism, moderate, severe, and profound and multiple learning difficulties.

We offer three pathways: Vocational, Life and Living, Engagement for Life.

The Life and Living Pathway is based at The Triangle in Hounslow, while the Engagement for Life and Vocational Pathways are located at The Windmill in Sunbury-on-Thames, our main college site. This is an exciting time to join Great Oaks College.

As we continue to expand our provision and invest in the development of our main site, the college is entering a significant period of growth. This role offers an excellent opportunity to contribute to the future direction of our therapy services and make a lasting impact on the lives of our learners.

The ideal candidate will have experience working with young adults with complex needs within a specialist educational setting this may include Autism, SLD and PMLD.

We believe that all of our students are capable of making outstanding progress, and we are looking to appoint individuals who share this belief.

Great Oaks College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people, and anyone applying to work at the college is expected to share this commitment.

This position is subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check (including adult barred list) and receipt of satisfactory references.