Bank Band 4 Speech & Language Therapy Assistant

Job summary
Children and Family Health Devon is a system-wide service that delivers an integrated, coordinated support model which wraps around the child, young person and family. It has been specifically designed to respond to all elements of the commissioners strategy and specification along with the vision and strategic direction of the Integrated Care System for Devon. It builds on our strong relationships across education, health, social care and voluntary sector services in Devon, and, most importantly, it has been developed and refined in partnership with children, young people and their families/carers.

Children and Family Health Devon is part of an Alliance that is unique and brings together five leading providers of adult and childrens community, acute and mental health services in Devon:

• Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
• Devon Partnership NHS Trust
• Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
• Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust
• Livewell South West

Key voluntary sector organisations:

• Young Devon
• Vranch House
• Kooth

Academic Partners:

• University of Exeter
• University of Plymouth
• Marjon University

Children and Family Health Devon is committed to promoting equity and inclusion for all communities; to providing specialist children and young peoples health services which are accessible, appropriate and which recognise the diversity of people, their needs and choices.

Main duties of the job

• To assist in the provision of the Speech and Language Therapy Service to children with speech, language and communication needs across Devon Partnership Trust.
• To include, but not limited to, assisting with the setting up and running of parent groups, childrens groups, individual assessment and intervention, advice and target setting within settings/ home and developing resources and packages of care.
• The post-holder will be accountable for own professional action and recognise own professional boundaries, seeking advice as appropriate. He/she will be involved in projecting a positive image of the service as all times, working independently within the framework of the service through receipt of regular supervision and the trust appraisal system.

About us
About Devon Partnership Trust

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification which will provide further information on this role

Specific Skills
Essential

• Excellent communication skills able to provide and receive complex and sensitive information and overcome barriers to understanding, to include negotiation and problem-solving skills
• Able to demonstrate good analytical and reflection skills
• Ability to concentrate under pressure when carrying out therapy sessions
• Good presentation skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to work independently under pressure with good organisational skills
• Ability to work flexibly and good prioritisation skills
• Demonstrates ability to be a good team member
• Understanding of the roles of other professionals (relevant to the client groups) and evidence of good working relationships
• Excellent Interpersonal skills including observation, listening and empathy skills
• Enthusiasm for this area of work

Qualifications
Essential

• G.C.S.E in Maths and English (or equivalent)
• Foundation level degree/equivalent level 5 qualification in relevant area
• Documented evidence of training, knowledge and experience in child development including the fundamentals of communication, communication breakdown and therapy procedures with specific reference to children

Desirable

• Knowledge of Speech and Language Therapy and modification procedures, verbal and non-verbal methods of communicating; acquired through combination of formal training, short courses and experience
• Qualification/Training in provision of direct intervention with a child
• Relevant experience working within a Speech & Language Therapy team

Experience
Essential

• Relevant experience of working with children and young people with speech, language and communication needs in community / education settings
• Relevant experience of working with Speech and Language Therapists
• Experience of working in a team
• Experience of working independently with a child/young person with speech, language and communication needs following a programme set and modelled by a Speech and Language Therapist, to include recording progress and outcomes and experienced in modifying the approach to meet the childs changing needs, in order to achieve the agreed outcome
• Experience of working with children and young people with autism
• Experience of working with children and young people with learning disability and complex needs
• Evidence of knowledge of professional boundaries - recognition of when to refer on to a qualified Speech and Language Therapist

Desirable

• Knowledge of standards of record keeping including confidentiality
• Experience of working with families and carers of people with communication disability
• Experience of working within education settings
• Experience of innovative practice and involvement in a project or service that delivered this
• Experience of training others e.g. setting staff / Parents
• Experience in relevant paid or voluntary work

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.