Job Introduction
Speech and Language Therapy Assistant
Do you want to make a difference to the learning and progress of young people? At Hollywater School we aim to live our core values of "Inspire, Believe and Achieve" to enable our students and their families to have aspirational life long ambitions and experiences...Can you be part of this vision?
Hollywater School is a school for pupils aged 4-19 with complex learning needs. We set high but realistic expectations for all and encourage everyone to discover the joy of learning so that they may thrive, gain independence and be given every opportunity to achieve their full potential. We strive for our students to be as independent as possible in their adult life. We recognise that the personal development of pupils spiritually, morally, socially and culturally, plays a significant part in their ability to achieve and learn and prepares them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experience of adult life.
To professionally and competently support the teaching, therapy and care of pupils with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) within school. With support to plan, implement and evaluate programmes maintaining the necessary paperwork and contributing to reports, meetings and training. To provide administrative support to the SaLT. To contribute to the development of the school.
Your Responsibilities will include:
Pupil related activities:
- Call upon specialist staff for advice as appropriate.
- Be aware of the national and local standards and guidelines.
- Be aware of and adhere to current legislation and school policies.
- Implement Speech and Language Therapy programmes (e.g., speech sounds, language understanding, communication aids) as prescribed by a qualified therapist, on a 1:1 and group basis
- Plan and deliver social communication groups, with support and guidance from the SaLT
- Support individual pupils in the classroom as appropriate and as directed, liaising with relevant staff (SLTs, SENCo, teachers and teaching assistants)
- To contribute to assessment reviews by providing information in discussion.
- Maintain contemporaneous records of intervention in accordance with professional standards.
- Maintain regular contact through face-to-face liaison, with SLTs and SENCo.
- Assist in the efficient preparation and use of therapy materials and equipment and displays.
- Assist in the recording of pupil data in a variety of formats.Be responsible for collecting own work statistics e.g. Contact time/lesson time, outcome measures.
- Work as part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary team working within an education context.
- Be a reflective practitioner. Considering and evaluating alternative and innovative approaches to the management of pupils with speech, language and communication needs and associated additional needs and discuss these with SLTs.
- Be involved in the dissemination of skills, knowledge and experience through training and offering advice to other staff, parents, carers and significant others about individual and groups of pupils. Demonstrating practical procedures when appropriate.
Therapeutic Team:
- Support volunteers and SLT students on placement as appropriate.
- Contribute to curriculum development within the school as appropriate.
- Access support from designated colleagues, when necessary.
- Resource Preparation: Design, create, and maintain specialised communication materials, including visual aids, switches, and resources for AAC including communication books and ALDs (Augmentative and Alternative Communication), under the guidance and support of the SaLT.
- Support SLTs with producing meaningful school-wide resources(and updating them) and completing administrative tasks such as keeping the assessment forms stocked up and an inventory of resources.
- Help provide training and support to parents and carers under the guidance of theSaLT.
School:
- Attend and contribute to staff meetings, training and Inset when required.
- Work as part of the MDT (a multi-disciplinary team)to enable access to the adapted National Curriculum, Equals Curriculum and Quest for Learning Curriculum at appropriate key stages, through planning, delivery and support.
- Work proactively in class modelling strategies and suitable SLT approaches to help the pupils to access their learning, providing feedback on student progress to the SaLT.
- Contribute to developing and sustaining an appropriate Total Communication environment within the school.
- Contribute to the life and working practices, environment and ethos of the school e.g., lunchtime supervision, school trips.
- Assist with hosting visitors when required, eg. Communication aids reps.
- Contribute to whole school development plan as appropriate.
- Provide LSA cover in classes as required.
Professional Development
- Undertake all induction and mandatory training and any other appropriate training as required.
- To develop good working relationships with all members of staff and with our Young People where appropriate.
- To participate annually in Performance Management reviews.
Other
- At all times to work within the confines of Hollywater’s confidentiality of information policy and protect information held on both staff and pupils, both paper and electronic exercising discretion, tact and diplomacy.
- Complying at all times with Hollywater’s policies and procedures including the Code of Conduct.
- To undertake any other task that may be reasonably asked of you by your line manager -The SENCo.
The list of duties and responsibilities is by no means exhaustive and the postholder may be required to undertake other relevant and appropriate duties as required.
Safer Recruitment
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.
