Job summary
Aphasia Support is looking to recruit an experienced Speech & Language Therapist to lead on the charitys exciting new support for people with aphasia of working age in Calderdale. Funding has been secured via a Work & Health Trailblazer grant to create a brand new in person support group in Calderdale which is aimed at supporting people with aphasia of working age into employment, education, training and/or achieve improved health outcomes.

This is an exciting new project for Aphasia Support and the post holder will be working alongside a dedicated Community Engagement Coordinator. We anticipate most support will be provided through the new support group but home based or online support will be available for those people who are unable to access the support groups. We expect the venue and the meeting time of the new support group to be finalised in early October. Ideally, we would want the Speech & Language Therapist to start in late October therefore we will be interviewing as applications are submitted. This position is offered on a fixed term basis until 28th February 2027.

Main duties of the job

• Complete in-person assessments for all working age participants in Calderdale who meet the eligibility criteria for the project.
• Oversee a new support group for people with aphasia of working age in Calderdale.
• Ensure outcome measures are completed for each participant on the project and ensure all project reporting paperwork is completed in time for reporting requirements.
• Provide appropriate signposting for each participant onto further support once the Trailblazer project has ended.
• Provide support to the Community Engagement Coordinator and any volunteers who are supporting the project.

About us
Aphasia Support is a forward thinking charity whose mission is to improve the wellbeing of people with aphasia and their carers, by providing tailored speech and language therapy and long term support. We want to create a world where every person with aphasia has access to support. Based in Wakefield the charity has 6 core staff and numerous sessional workers and volunteers who run our groups and ensure our support is accessible for all.

Job responsibilities

• Complete in-person assessments for all working age participants in Calderdale who meet the eligibility criteria for the project.
• Oversee a new support group for people with aphasia of working age in Calderdale.
• Ensure outcome measures are completed for each participant on the project and ensure all project reporting paperwork is completed in time for reporting requirements.
• Provide appropriate signposting for each participant onto further support once the Trailblazer project has ended.
• Provide support to the Community Engagement Coordinator and any volunteers who are supporting the project.

Person Specification
Training, behaviours and practical skills
Essential

• An extensive portfolio and evidence of advanced personal and advanced/highly specialist professional development with skills, experience and achieved outcomes
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills
• Sensitive to the needs of others and has an awareness of responsiveness to other peoples feelings and needs
• Ability to work within a team, demonstrate initiative, confidence and excellent time management and organisational skills
• Able to develop, establish and maintain positive relationships with others, both internal and external to the organisation.
• Highly motivated and reliable
• Ability to formulate independent clinical decisions following assessment.
• Ability to give clear advice, instruction and training to clients, carers and volunteers
• Good time management, organisational and prioritisation skills
• Good written, oral and interpersonal communication skills

Experience
Essential

• Extensive experience as an SLT supporting people with communication difficulties such as aphasia and apraxia of speech
• Ability to perform specialised SLT assessments which will form the basis for support plans
• Strong knowledge and understanding of the national stroke service model, and in particular life after stroke services
• Strong knowledge of computer therapy apps to support communication goals, including AAC for people with aphasia and apraxia of speech
• Strong knowledge and understanding of supported conversation techniques

Qualifications
Essential

• Hold a recognised speech and language therapy degree accredited by RCSLT
• HPC Registered to practice as a SLT
• Registered member of RCSLT

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

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.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.