Job Title: Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist
Location: Wandsworth, London, UK
Contract Type: Full-Time / Part-Time (Permanent or Fixed-Term)
Salary: £28,407 - £42,618 per annum (Band 5/6 NHS Agenda for Change or equivalent)
Reports to: SENCO / School Leadership Team
Closing Date: [Insert Closing Date]
Job Summary:
We are looking for an enthusiastic and committed Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist to join our team in a Wandsworth-based school. The role involves supporting children and young people with speech, language, and communication difficulties in an educational setting. You will work directly within the school environment, collaborating with teachers and the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) to deliver tailored interventions that help children reach their communication potential.
This is an exciting opportunity to make a real impact on students' learning and social development by integrating speech and language therapy within the school's curriculum and support framework.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assessment and Diagnosis: Conduct assessments of students referred for speech, language, and communication difficulties, using formal and informal tools to identify individual needs.
- Therapeutic Intervention: Develop and implement bespoke therapy programmes for students, including both 1:1 therapy sessions and small group interventions, with measurable outcomes.
- School Staff Collaboration: Work closely with teachers, teaching assistants, SENCO, and other staff to integrate communication goals into the students' overall learning plans.
- Family and Caregiver Engagement: Liaise with families to provide information, support, and practical strategies to help them reinforce speech and language development at home.
- Support for Educational Plans: Contribute to Individual Education Plans (IEPs), Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs), and other reports, providing detailed information on the child's communication needs and progress.
- Training and Workshops: Offer training sessions and workshops for teachers and support staff, helping them to better understand communication challenges and strategies to enhance classroom learning.
- Record Keeping: Maintain detailed and accurate records of assessments, interventions, and outcomes, in line with school and professional standards.
- Service Development: Participate in service development, working with the SENCO and leadership team to enhance speech and language provision within the school.
Essential Requirements:
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Qualifications: A degree in Speech and Language Therapy (BSc or equivalent) and registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).
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Experience:
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Experience working with children or young people, particularly in an educational setting or within schools.
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A strong understanding of the speech, language, and communication needs often found in children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
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Skills:
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Excellent assessment and intervention skills in paediatric speech and language disorders.
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Strong communication skills for working with children, school staff, and families.
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The ability to deliver therapy in a school environment, balancing individualised support with curriculum goals.
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Ability to work independently and manage a varied caseload effectively.
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Knowledge:
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Knowledge of speech and language developmental norms and disorders, particularly in the context of education and SEND.
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Awareness of relevant legislation (e.g., SEN Code of Practice, EHCP process) and safeguarding protocols for working with children.
Desirable Requirements:
- Experience with Specific Needs: Experience supporting children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), or social communication difficulties.
- Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team in an educational setting.
- Experience delivering training to school staff and/or parents on communication strategies.
- Familiarity with augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tools and techniques.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary based on experience, with opportunities for career progression within the school and wider educational support services.
- Regular supervision and professional development opportunities, including CPD training.
- Close collaboration with experienced school staff, SEN professionals, and other specialists.
- Flexible working hours, with options for part-time roles depending on the needs of the school.
- Term-time working arrangements, providing a balanced work-life schedule.
Work Setting:
- Location: Based in a primary or secondary school in Wandsworth, with opportunities to work across other local schools as part of a wider support network.
- Hours: Term-time only, with the possibility of additional hours during school holidays for service development or CPD.
Please contact Gemma at Piers Meadows