Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Location: Aurora Eccles and White House Schools, Quidenham, Norwich, NR16 2NZ

Salary: £32,302.40 - £38,729.60 per year dependant on qualifications and experience

Hours: 40 hours per week – Full year contract

Contract: Fixed Term Contract until November 2026

Aurora White House School and Aurora Eccles School

We’re currently looking to recruit a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join our schools on a fixed term basis. To contribute to and further develop an integrated Speech and Language Therapy service for the pupils at Aurora Eccles (secondary) and White House (primary) Schools.  To provide a dynamic specialist Speech and Language Therapy service as part of a multi-disciplinary team, undertaking all aspects of Speech and Language Therapy clinical duties within the ethical framework provided by the rules of professional conduct.   To provide a high standard of Speech and Language Therapy assessment and intervention to students, including advice, information and training to relevant parents, carers and professionals in line with proposed intervention plans.

Part of the Aurora Group, Aurora Eccles and White House Schools in Quidenham, Norwich provides day placements for students aged 6 to 16 years primarily with communication and interaction difficulties or specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia.  Some may be on the autistic spectrum or have anxieties and difficulties that create barriers to learning. 

With small classes, typically 7 children and a minimum of 3 staff per class you can focus on the needs of each student. There is a full clinical team onsite to support at all times and you will have the support of an experienced and stable SLT.

To take a virtual look around the schools please click here: Eccles Virtual Tour  Or: White House Virtual Tour

Key Accountabilities:

• To work autonomously, managing a caseload of young people with complex needs within a special education setting.
• Work with more senior Speech and Language Therapists, Clinical Lead and SLT to manage workload efficiently to provide a service which is run in an efficient manner so that young people’s needs are met effectively.
• To liaise with the other Speech and Language Therapists operating within the schools to ensure appropriate caseload management and sharing of skills.
• To provide specialist assessment and treatment of children and young people, liaise effectively with multi-disciplinary colleagues and to maintain associated records in line with professional codes of conduct.
• To undertake autonomous assessment, including specialist assessment, of young people with a wide range of additional communication needs.
• To analyse and interpret assessments to recommend and deliver the best course of intervention for each child.
• Measuring outcomes of interventions against EHCP and Annual Review outcomes and record progress and outcomes using systems identified by schools (for example Earwig)
• To demonstrate sound understanding of clinical governance and clinical risk and to demonstrate the use of treatment plans with an evidence-based link.
• To be responsible for the maintenance of accurate written records in line with professional code of conduction. Produce timely and concise clinical recording, maintaining confidentially and the safe storage of both written and digital data.
• Provide clear and concise written reports for inclusion within Annual Review Reports. Attend and contribute to Annual Review Meetings.
• Attend appropriate reviews and team meetings, promoting our culture of joint working with other disciplines and outside agencies.
• To take a lead role in teaching other members of the multi-disciplinary team on relevant aspects of speech and language therapy and communication.
• Use specialist software to produce easy read and accessible resources for use in classrooms and for therapy.
• Provide screening assessment for prospective new students; this may include visits to other schools/residential settings.
• Make referrals for specialist assessment or advice regarding dysphagia as necessary.
• Recognise own professional boundaries with the role and when to seek appropriate guidance

Please note that duties will vary and you will be expected to contribute to the overall aims of Eccles and White House schools when required. Please see the link below for our full job description:

Job Description – Specialist SALT 

Qualifications

• To be a registered member of RCSLT and HCPC
• To hold a professional Speech and Language Therapy degree or equivalent

Knowledge and Experience - Essential

• Knowledge of a range of assessment tools and evidence of skills application relevant to the specialist client group
• Knowledge of a range of specialist therapy interventions relevant to specialist client group
• Knowledge of behaviour support
• Knowledge of the impact of trauma and adverse early childhood experiences on communication
• Knowledge of Autism Spectrum Conditions, ADHD and SEMH difficulties
• Have a clear understanding of relevant protection procedures and health and safety procedures including safeguarding and manual handling procedures.
• Relevant experience working at a postgraduate level
• Experience within the specialist client group
• Experience in implementing a wide range of approaches in supporting young people with social communication difficulties.
• Experience of multi-disciplinary team and multi-agency working
• Experience of preparing complex reports

Skills

• Fluent in written and spoken English with the ability to communicate complex information in a clear manner to a range of audiences including young people, parents, and professionals
• Ability to keep legible and accurate notes in line with professional recording keeping requirements
• Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to relate to others and develop good working relationships
• Good time-management and organisation skills. Ability to organise and prioritise own workload
• Ability to assess, develop, implement and adjust integrated therapy plans, based on identified needs and outcomes.
• Good IT skills for administration, presentations, recording and reporting systems
• Ability to train staff in a variety of approaches

Due to the rural location of the school, candidates are strongly advised to hold a full UK driving licence and have access to their own vehicle.

Be part of our successful team and also benefit from a generous package that includes:

• Life assurance
• Enhanced pension scheme
• Enhanced annual leave
• Free lunch when working
• Perkbox - offering high street discounts
• Employee assistance programme
• Car lease scheme and Bike to work scheme
• Fully funded training and qualifications
• Free membership to our Health cash back plan - Claim back money on services such as dental, optical, physio and many more.
• Family Swim

How to apply:

Please complete an online application form in full, remembering to include all employment and education details.  If you need any assistance or would like any more information, please contact Liz in the Aurora Group Recruitment Team at Liz.hudson@theauroragroup.co.uk

Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Aurora Group is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

The Aurora Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and young adults in our care and is a disability confident and equal opportunities employer.

This advert could be taken down at any point in time without prior notice if the position is filled. 

Please note that candidates that are shortlisted might be subject to an online search.