Paediatric Speech Language Therapist - NorthamptonshireNHS

Job summary

We are looking for an experienced Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist to join our SEND Therapies team on an associate basis, supporting children and young people within school and wider community settings.

The role will involve providing a combination of direct therapy, assessment, consultation, AAC support, staff and parent training, and written recommendations, working collaboratively with the child, family, school and wider multidisciplinary team.

The successful therapist will be comfortable working with children who have complex communication and developmental needs, and will have experience supporting children with a range of speech, language, communication and feeding needs.

The role will initially involve monthly support visits, with the exact working pattern agreed between the therapist, school, family and young person. Further opportunities for work will become available as our therapy service continues to grow.

Main duties of the job

• Provide appropriate speech and language therapy through individual, group or classroom-based sessions.
• Assess and support receptive and expressive language, speech and communication development.
• Develop functional communication strategies and targets in collaboration with education staff, families and other professionals.
• Assess communication competency and readiness for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).
• Provide advice and support around appropriate AAC systems and access methods.
• Develop and support the use of paper-based and technology-based AAC.
• Provide training and guidance to parents, carers and education staff.
• Develop written programmes, targets and recommendations to support ongoing communication development.
• Review progress and adapt recommendations in response to the child's changing needs.
• Liaise with families, schools and relevant multidisciplinary professionals.
• Attend or contribute to annual reviews and multidisciplinary meetings where required.
• Maintain accurate clinical records and complete relevant reports.
• Where appropriate, contribute to assessment and support around eating, drinking and swallowing needs.
• Work collaboratively with education and other professionals to promote consistent strategies across the child's environment.

Job description

We are looking for a qualified Speech and Language Therapist with experience working with children and young people, ideally within education or SEND settings.

You will ideally have experience in:

• Paediatric speech, language and communication needs.
• Working with children with complex developmental needs.
• AAC assessment, implementation and training.
• Supporting children with significant communication difficulties.
• Working collaboratively with schools, families and multidisciplinary teams.
• Developing practical strategies that can be embedded into a child's everyday environment.
• Producing clear reports, recommendations and therapy programmes.
• Supporting children with feeding, eating and/or swallowing needs would be desirable.
• You will be a confident communicator who can build positive relationships with children, families and professionals, while working independently and managing your own clinical responsibilities.

About us

KT Healthcare is a family-owned healthcare provider specialising in neurodevelopmental assessment, SEND therapeutic services and complex care. We provide person-centred, evidence-based and neuroaffirming services across the UK.

We work closely with children, young people, families, schools, local authorities and multidisciplinary teams to provide high-quality therapeutic support that makes a meaningful difference to everyday life.