Job summary
- Main area
- Speech and Language Therapy - Neurodiversity
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 6
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Job share
- Job ref
- 216-EG-W7299566
- Employer
- University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Child Development Centre
- Town
- Plymouth
- Salary
- £38,682 - £46,580 per annum, pro rata if part-time
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 18/08/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
NHS AfC: Band 6
Job overview
To work within a multi-disciplinary team to provide a high-quality speech and language assessment service for children suspected of having an autism spectrum condition, both pre-school and school-age (up to 18 years of age). Within this, you will be using standardised and non standardised means of assessment to form an informed opinion on communication skills. This will include assessments conducted in clinic, preschool and school settings, utilising a range of tools depending on the young person’s age and development.
To work as part of a wider multidisciplinary team, under the direction of the Band 7 Speech and Language Therapist and Advanced Clinical Practitioner to ensure the delivery of speech & language assessment services based at the Child Development Centre. This may include development skills in supporting young people with other speech, language, communication or feeding needs such as dysphagia.
Please note that the Children’s Speech & Language Service in Plymouth is delivered by Livewell Southwest. While we maintain a close working relationship with this service, this post is within a separate service and is not part of this wider community team.
Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS at Risk staff throughout Devon who is able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.
Main duties of the job
To provide an expert speech & language opinion on young people being assessed for a possible autism spectrum condition in conjunction with the wider multi-disciplinary team.
To maintain expert knowledge relating to assessment and support for young people with an autism spectrum condition, sharing this with others both within and external to the team.
There is potential to develop skills in Paediatric Dysphagia for in-patients. This may involve devising and delivering individualised management plans and liaison with the community speech and language therapy team for follow up.
Working for our organisation
We are a people business – where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
1. To undertake a range of specialist formal and informal assessments in a variety of settings with children of pre-school age and school-age, including analysis of understanding and use of vocabulary, speech sounds, grammar, voice, social use of language, non-verbal communication, carer-child interaction and play skills.
2. To provide recommendations for the multi-disciplinary team regarding differential diagnoses based on assimilated evidence from formal and informal assessments, in line with current NICE guidance regarding assessment for children with a possible diagnosis of an autism spectrum condition
3. To work with the Clinical Lead for autism assessment pathways in coordinating multi-disciplinary meetings, including acting in their absence to chair the meeting.
4. To be responsible for writing and disseminating clinical reports based on assessment findings to appropriate professionals and relevant others, which include any recommendations regarding a young person’s ongoing speech & language needs.
5. To provide advice to team members and other professionals in relation to the ongoing care of children on your caseload, including contributing to statutory processes as required
6. To manage own time effectively to meet any objectives set
7. To support the wider role of the Speech & Language team in providing assessment and support to young people with feeding difficulties
8. Maintain clear and concise clinical records in line with trust policy.
9. To maintain a high standard of professional and clinical practice
10. To maintain registration with the Health & Care Professions Council
11. To recognise own professional and clinical boundaries and competencies and seek advice, support and training when necessary with in an individual performance review framework.
12. To be proactive and innovative and encourage this in others.
13. To respect cultural differences and ensure that the service provided are available for all children.
14. To actively participate in meetings within the service as appropriate.
15. To ensure that Trust policies and local policies are adhered to implementing local and national policies as appropriate.
16. To participate in the evaluation of the autism spectrum and speech & language services and contribute to the development of current best practice through the clinical governance process.
17. To provide clinical activity data and routine recording of CPD, travel, and other related activity, observing data protection guidelines
18. To continue to develop specialist professional expertise and clinical skills across a range of speech, language and communication difficulties (SLCD) by working with highly specialist staff, attending Specific Interest Groups (RCSLT), and self-directed study, as agreed, and maintaining personal portfolio.
19. To encourage and ensure user involvement in the evaluation of the service provided.
20. To provide advice and training to multi-agency colleagues in relation to children with ASD
21. To take part in research and clinical audit as directed by senior staff
22. Participate in child safeguarding procedures as necessary.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- • HCPC registered Speech and Language Therapist
- • RCSLT membership
- • Child protection training
- • Degree or equivalent in Speech and Language Therapy
Desirable criteria
- • Post basic training in dysphagia
- • Evidence of additional training in specialist areas such as Autism and neurodivergent conditions
Experience
Essential criteria
- • Proven evidence of continuing professional development
- • Demonstrable experience of working with children with autism, learning disabilities and associated additional needs
- • Proven working knowledge of safeguarding children
- • Demonstrable experience of specialist assessments
- • Working proven knowledge of visual communication such as PECS or Makaton
Desirable criteria
- • Broad knowledge of current legislation surrounding children and young people
- • ADOS training
- • Demonstrable experience of assessing children for possible autistic spectrum disorders
- • Proven knowledge and demonstrable experience of feeding difficulties in young people
Aptitude and Abilities
Essential criteria
- • Ability to work autonomously
- • Ability to create and present complicated and sensitive information effectively
- • Ability to communicate in an appropriate way to meet the needs of the individual children and their families
- • Excellent written and spoken communication skills
- • Good time management and organisational skills
- • Ability to to make judgements and recommendations, and present these to others
- • Ability to prioritise a busy and unpredictable workload
- • Basic IT skills
Disposition and Attitude
Essential criteria
- • Responsive to change and ideas.
- • Ability to influence and motivate others
- • Critical thinker
- • Be able to demonstrate self-directed development.
- • Positive, assertive but non-judgemental manner
- • Enthusiastic and committed to working with children and young people
- • Friendly and approachable
other factors
Desirable criteria
- • Understanding of audit process
- • Ability to travel between sites
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Natalie Bagwell
- Job title
- Trainee ACP in Speech and Language
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01752 439421
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