JOB DESCRIPTION – SPECIALIST PAEDIATRIC SPEECH & LANGUAGE THERAPIST

Title: Speech & Language Therapist
Responsible to: Therapy Lead
Hours: 37 hours per week (8.30am-4.30pm, Monday to Friday)
Salary: KR8-KR10 (equivalent to NHS Band 5-6) depending on experience –
£25,692-£37,890 (this is based on working a full year. Working term-time only is an option
but the salary would then be pro-rated)
Location: To work across all sites used by FAW

JOB PURPOSE

 To assess, diagnose, treat and manage own specialist caseload of pupils and
maintain associated records.
 To provide specialist intervention and evaluate outcomes.
 To train and support the carers of pupils and participate in appropriate specialist
training to other colleagues.
 To advise and provide clinical support to other therapists/staff on Speech &
Language Therapy issues, across the timetable and curriculum.
 To supervise the work of assistants, students and other staff working with the post
holder.
 To provide total commitment to the safeguarding of pupils and the provision of
opportunities for all pupils to achieve within the child centred curriculum.

MAIN PROFESSIONAL DUTIES

 To provide specialist advice to other parties.
 To deliver Speech & Language Therapy in service.
 To maintain records, reports and other paperwork.

REPORTS TO

 Therapy Lead
 Senior Leadership Team for day to day supervision and instruction.
 The Headteacher who has overall responsibility for the school.

GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ALL SCHOOL STAFF

 To carry out school policy as documented and/or directed by the Headteacher.
 To present the school in a positive way in the community.
 To respect the confidential nature of all information acquired in the performance of
the job either verbally or in writing.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Professional
 To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD and
maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development in order to maintain up to
date HPC registration.
 To be accountable for own professional action and recognise and work within own
professional boundaries, seeking advice and support as necessary
 To demonstrate specialist knowledge and practice within the specialist area and
across the life of the school.
 To demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence based practice and outcome
measures.
 To use specialist knowledge to inform school/policy developments within own
specialist area.
 To keep up to date and develop strategies for implementing best practice in clinical
areas relating to own caseload.
 To contribute to the interagency/multidisciplinary team at the school.
 To acknowledge and work towards a social model of provision when meeting the
needs of children and working with staff teams.

CLINICAL

 To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own work including the
management of patients on a given caseload.
 To write reports for families and relevant professionals that reflect specialist
knowledge of speech and language needs.
 To attend and provide reports for EHCP reviews, case conferences and other
necessary areas as required.
 Based on thorough assessment and evaluation, to develop specialised packages of
care, in conjunction with teaching staff, parents/carers and therapists.
 To monitor the progress of treatment programmes and modify as necessary.
 To respect the confidentiality of all school and pupil information.
 To refer to other specialist services as appropriate.
 To make appropriate clinical decisions following specialist assessment, including
recognising potential breakdown.
 To make differential diagnosis on the basis of evidence from specialist assessment.
 To demonstrate the ability to reflect on practice with SMT/Leadership group.
 To direct and supervise the work of speech and language volunteers and students.  To monitor and request equipment and contribute to budget decisions –To be
responsible for the security, care and maintenance of equipment ensuring standards
of infection control and safety are maintained – including equipment loans to pupils.

KNOWLEDGE/TRAINING

 To demonstrate understanding of the basic principles of postural management and
to facilitate functional ability through the use of postural management equipment.
 To make thorough assessments to support recommendations for provision of
specialist postural equipment.
 To prioritise and manage caseload according to the Therapy Team policies.
 To demonstrate a working knowledge of relevant procedures including: safeguarding
children, SEN procedure, vulnerable adult etc. and other legal requirements.
 To manage own time effectively and demonstrate an ability to prioritise tasks.
 To maintain intense concentration in all aspects of patient management and to
manage the emotional consequences of working with distressing conditions.
 To participate in the development and delivery of specialist training of school staff.
 To provide specialist advice to other parties as appropriate.
 To explain the role of Speech and Language Therapy within school.
 To identify training needs within the staff group.
 To demonstrate the ability to reflect on and evaluate training provided.
 To advise on and demonstrate Speech and Language Therapy targets and strategies
throughout the school day.

ADMINISTRATIVE

 To undertake general administrative and pupil related administrative tasks in line
with school requirement and school policies.
 To maintain pupil records in accordance with Royal College of Speech & Language
Therapists professional standards.
 To provide accurate statistical information as required.
 To produce reports reflecting specialist knowledge regarding pupil needs and devise
support plans.

COMMUNICATION AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

 To work alongside other Therapy colleagues providing support and professional
exchange of ideas and experience.
 To attend appropriate meetings with the Therapy Team and wider school.  To contribute to specialist clinical teams by discussing own and others input around
pupil needs, ensuring a well-co-ordinated care plan.
 To communicate complex condition related information from assessment to pupils,
carers, families and members of the multidisciplinary term/other professionals.
 To work closely with pupils, carers and families, agreeing decision making relevant to
the pupils management.
 To demonstrate empathy with pupils, carers and families and colleagues, ensuring
that effective communication is achieved, particularly where barriers to
understanding exist.
 To demonstrate skills in motivating pupils and carers to engage in the therapeutic
process.
 To demonstrate negotiation skills in the management of conflict across a range of
situations.
 To employ excellent verbal and written communication skill.

THERAPY

 To assess, diagnose and manage pupils’ needs with regard to speech and language
therapy.
 To maintain relevant speech and language therapy records.
 To produce speech and language therapy reports as appropriate.
 To attend, when appropriate, Annual Review Meetings and Shared Goal/IEP
Meetings.
 To train and support teachers. T.A’s and other colleagues in speech and language
therapy as appropriate.
 To maintain links with carers/parents in regard to speech and language therapy
issues.
 To liaise and work alongside cover staff, support staff, assistants and volunteers.
 To maintain use of equipment.