Support Practitioner - Speech and Language Therapy

at  Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust

Are you looking for an opportunity to work with and support children and young people with communication difficulties?
The Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy Service have an exciting opportunity for a part-time Support Practitioner role. This is based in our Central South locality which covers Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard and Houghton Regis.
The successful applicants will have experience of working with children and/or young people, be able to work as part of a team; be dynamic, motivated and creative, with excellent communication skills.
Before applying for this vacancy please be aware of the salary threshold required for a certificate of sponsorship to be granted, and that unfortunately overseas applicants who are new to care may not reach the minimum salary threshold to obtain a certificate of sponsorship
(Please note that should we receive a high number of applications, we reserve the right to close the advert earlier than advertised)
To work across a range of community clinics, pre-schools, mainstream schools, special schools and in the Child Development Centres, under the supervision of a Speech and Language Therapist and / or the Senior Support Practitioner, as a member of the Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy team.
To carry out routine intervention with direct and indirect supervision.
To work alongside the Speech and Language Therapist(s) (SLT) and colleagues to run therapy groups, carry out advice reviews, model and implement therapy advice and programmes.
To provide clinical administrative support, including preparing resource materials.
To independently provide training to parents and education staff under supervision and guidance from a therapist.
Rated ’Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission, we are proud to provide high quality innovative services across most of the east of England that enable people to receive care closer to home and live healthier lives.
There’s one reason why our services are outstanding - and that’s our amazing staff - who, for the seventh year running, rated us incredibly highly in the national staff survey.
If you share our passion for innovative and high-quality care delivery, then please submit your application and join us on our exciting journey as a leading-edge specialist community provider. All are welcome to apply and our promise to you is a culture which prioritises staff engagement and development.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
To implement and carry out or model therapeutic interventions which have been set by the SLT with patients with a range of communication difficulties and complex needs.
To carry out specified observation and information gathering to contribute to the SLTs’ assessment.
To work closely with the Speech and Language Therapist to ensure appropriate support and supervision and to allow for modification of the intervention by the therapist.
To support educators and parents / carers.
To prepare and organise therapy activities, resources, training materials and equipment for own or others therapy, within the programme agreed by the supervising Therapist
To plan a timetable of activities for therapy sessions.
To raise the need to review a programme with the SLT following analysis of a patients response to the intervention.
To recognise potential conflict when it occurs and seek advice and support from your supervisor or line manager to find a resolution.
To form productive working relationships with service users who may be under stress and / or have challenging communication difficulties and to motivate them to engage in work programmes.
To carry out designated work efficiently within a given specific timeframe, as allocated to them by the SLT.
To complete case notes, collaborative working documents and other record keeping requirements following clinical sessions, liaison meetings and patient contacts.
To support the administrative work of the Speech and Language Therapy service and initiate appropriate administrative tasks when required.
Key Relationships: Children and young people, parents/carers, education staff, other health and education professionals as required.
Budgetary Responsibility
To monitor stock levels in own service area and request new equipment as appropriate.
Does not hold budgetary responsibility but is aware of the need to plan non- pay
expenditure.
People Management
Maintaining own professional development and requirement to take part in appraisal and
KSF process.
To attend relevant training and development in order to further develop skills in
implementing and knowledge of Speech and Language Therapy approaches and
programmes.
To actively participate in reflective clinical supervision in order to develop and enhance
practice.
Clinical and Practice Governance
Observe and maintain strict confidentiality with regards to any patient/family/staff/records and information in line with the requirements of the Data Protection Act.
Any data that is taken/shared as part of a phone call or transported, faxed, or transferred electronically must be undertaken with regard to the Trust Information Governance and Information Security policies.
The post holder must adhere to the Trust risk assessment and risk management processes
The post holder must adhere to infection control policies and procedures.
Undertake mandatory training and any other training relevant to the role as required by Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust.
The post holder must participate in clinical and other audits as required
The post holder is required to participate in relevant emergency preparedness process for their team.
The post involves working with small children – frequent requirement for sitting on child -size chairs or on the floor in a restricted position.
To apply skills in physically working with patients with disabilities with support.
To transport equipment required for sessions or training, to a variety of locations.
To be flexible to the demands of the environment including unpredictable work patterns and sudden change in patient need.
To maintain sensitivity at all times to the emotional needs of children with special needs, learning disabilities and / or communication difficulties and their carers.
To demonstrate standard keyboard skills and use IT effectively to extend and complete programmes and activities.
To have the ability to travel by car throughout Luton and / or Bedfordshire when required, including a full driving licence and access to own transport (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).
General
Safeguarding people responsibility
Safeguarding children and adults at risk of abuse or neglect is a collective responsibility.
There is an expectation that all staff develop and maintain their role relevant safeguarding people competencies and comply with local safeguarding partnerships practice. Alongside this employee who are registrants are reminded of their professional duty of care.
Safeguarding means protecting a citizen’s health, wellbeing and human rights; enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. It is an integral part of providing high-quality health care.

THOSE MOST IN NEED OF PROTECTION INCLUDE:

• Children and young people
• Adults at risk, such as those receiving care in their own home, people with physical, sensory and mental impairments, and those with learning disabilities
  The post holder must at all times carry out their duties with regard to Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Policy.
  To be aware of the responsibilities of all employees to maintain a safe and healthy environment for patients, visitors, and staff.
  All post holders must adhere to the code of conduct on confidentiality and be aware of and adhere to all Trust policies and procedures.
  This job description is intended only as a guide to the range of duties involved. The post holder will need to be flexible and adaptable in order to respond to other duties that may be required from time to time and the changes and developments within the Trust.
  This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exemptions) Order 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure of Barring Service to be made to check for any previous criminal convictions. Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust is committed to the fair treatment of its staff, potential staff, or users in line with its equal opportunities policy and policy statement on the recruitment of ex-offender

Please refer the Job description for details