Job summary
We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated SaLT to join our Specialised Learning Disability Therapy Team at Horizons College. We provide therapy within the specialist college for young adults aged 16-25 with learning disabilities, autism, and/or profound multiple physical needs.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Providing comprehensive SaLT assessment and interventions within the classroom setting.
• Working with learners and staff to integrate the use of AAC and communication devices.
• Embedding communication strategies and delivering staff training.

You will be part of a professional, multi-disciplinary team that values a holistic approach to care. You will also belong to AWP's network of SaLTs and have opportunities to support service development.

You will use your skills to work with those with complex health needs by supporting education staff to promote inclusion and break down barriers to learning.

There are many opportunities to develop your skills. We provide Continuing Professional Development and career progression opportunities. We are committed to promoting wellbeing and offer clinical supervision, annual appraisal, and reflective practice sessions.

Full time hours may also be considered

Main duties of the job
Key Responsibilities

• Provide SaLT assessment, working collaboratively with the learner and the MDT towards shared goals.
• Communicate effectively within a multidisciplinary setting.
• Integrate into the college curriculum to support the removal of barriers to learning.
• Promote a Total Communication Environment.
• Provide training and development to staff.
• Offer advice and support to service users, families, carers, and the MDT.
• Communicate findings from assessments effectively.
• Set and evaluate joint targets with college staff in accordance with individual EHCP requirements.
• Create and implement therapy programmes and resources.
• Implement low-tech and high-tech augmentative and alternative communication solutions.
• Participate in MDT meetings and Annual Reviews.
• Interface with a range of health and other statutory and voluntary agencies for the benefit of the learner.
• Communicate the role and values of the SaLT service effectively in a variety of situations.
• Adapt communication skills and use developed strategies to meet the needs of individuals who may have alternative communication needs and who present with physical, cognitive, speech, language, or sensory impairments.
• Use therapeutic skills to negotiate and motivate learners to engage with intervention and ensure their informed consent and involvement.

About us
We are the lead provider of healthcare for people with serious mental illness, learning disabilities and autism across Bath and North East Somerset (BaNES), Swindon and Wiltshire, and Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

We aim to provide High Quality, Compassionate Care everywhere, every day. This means our services will be safe, clinically effective and provide a positive all round experience for our patients, families and carers. And we believe passionately in treating everyone with kindness, respect and empathy.

Key to this is providing a supportive and safe environment for our 4,000 staff where we all feel welcome and able to do the best we can for those we support. Our staff and teams work incredibly hard delivering services across more than 90 locations, covering 2,200miles, to more than 1.8million people.

At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.

Job responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of clients with a range of communication and swallowing difficulties, as allocated by the multidisciplinary team.
• Assess and diagnose swallowing and communication difficulties.
• Implement programmes of treatment, as agreed with service users and carers.
• Evaluate treatment programmes according to SLT-specific outcome measures and other measures used within the service.
• Provide advice and ongoing support for the management of swallowing and communication difficulties in a variety of settings, including care homes and the persons home.
• Act in a consultative capacity within the team and on behalf of the wider service, contributing to the management of people with complex needs.
• Actively contribute to the strategic development of the service within the wider development strategies of the LDU and AWP.
• Provide statistics and other information for use in research projects and quality reporting.
• Develop and promote the use of assistive technology in adults with LD/ASD.

Most Challenging Part of this role
The post holder is expected to provide an SLT service to people with learning disabilities and/or autism spectrum condition within the strategic objectives of the service and in accordance with national guidelines, while working with limited resources. This involves a high level of responsibility for prioritising tasks and managing time effectively.

Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential

• Significant and comprehensive post-qualification experience in a S< role Significant post-qualification experience in Learning Disabilities Relevant post qualification experience and training in autism
• Membership of appropriate professional body - RCSLT and HCPC
• Knowledge of policy and practice in relation to SLT and learning disability
• Knowledge and experience of training others
• Experience of working in the community with people with LD/ASD
• Proven ability to work under duress and to manage challenging situations and individuals
• Experience of working in teams
• Experience of working with families and with complex individuals

Experience and Knowledge
Essential

• Experience of working in teams
• Experience of working with families and with complex individuals
• Independent and autonomous practitioner who knows own limits and can actively seek supervision when this is required
• Experience in managing and /or supervising others
• Knowledge and experience of training others
• Demonstrable experience in diagnosis and delivery of interventions conditions that fall under the remit of Speech and Language Therapy
• Able to demonstrate experience of team working, contribution and decision making

Desirable

• Dysphagia training

Skills & Abilities
Essential

• Excellent Communication skills.
• Good IT skills
• Able to demonstrate the use of creative and innovative thinking in daily practice
• Proven ability to work under duress and to manage challenging situations and individuals
• Independent and autonomous practitioner who knows own limits and can actively seek supervision when this is required
• Able to demonstrate the use of creative and innovative thinking in daily practice

Other Requirements
Essential

• Empathy for individuals who have experienced mental health problems and ability to cope with behaviour which may be challenging at times.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer contact details
Therapy Team Lead: Paula Baxter-Jones, email: paulabaxter-jones@nhs.net, phone: 01793481493