Speech and Language Therapist

Job Introduction

Maple Ridge School continues to be a GOOD school. Parents describe the school as “amazing” because they see their children make such strong progress. The talented staff team are proud to work at the school. (OFSTED October 2022)

We are a school for pupils aged 4-11 years old. All of our children have learning difficulties and most have autism. We are currently developing our provision for children with more severe and complex learning difficulties, in response to the level of need in our local area.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Post:            Speech and Language Therapist

Responsible to:         Headteacher

Job Role: To support pupils with speech, language and communication needs within     Maple Ridge School

The role will involve working 8 hours per week, term time only. Exact days and times for working will be agreed on appointment, but there is some degree of flexibility as long as hours are within school hours.

Main duties: The desired candidate will be able to do the following:

• Work within a large team of staff within the school
• Communicate and liaise with staff regularly in regards to pupils – meet with Headteacher and other members of the team every half term
• Advise teaching staff and LSAs on strategies when working with pupils
• Provide training for staff on an individual needs basis
• 1:1 or group sessions with pupils
• Assist Headteacher to ensure that adaptations are made to meet the provision of the pupils within the whole school
• Contribute to pupil’s annual reviews with SaLT reports
• Complete communication assessments of pupils – supporting and working with families of pupils
• Provide written feedback to Headteacher
• Assist with whole school training

Person Specification

The successful candidate will focus on enhancing pupil’s ability to perform everyday activities and to participate in different environments. The desired result will be an increase in functional communication skills which will improve quality of life, independence, self-esteem, learning and achievement for the child/young person and their family.

Working with Maple Ridge School they will provide ongoing support to the school through education and training programmes, assisting with whole school working, together with advice and consultation as well as individual therapy when needed.

The Speech and Language Therapist will use their expertise to ensure that our universal and targeted provision meets the requirements within all of our children’s EHCPs.

 Essential:

• A degree or equivalent in Speech and Language Therapy 
• Registered member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) 
• A minimum of four years post qualification experience of providing speech and language interventions to children 
• Registered member of the Health Professionals Council (HPC) and holder of Licence to Practice 
• Well established knowledge of a broad range of assessment tools relevant to the specialist client group  
• Excellent interpersonal skills including observation, listening and empathy skills 
• Ability to work on own initiative and prioritise workload 
• Excellent presentation skills, both written and verbal 
• Good auditory discrimination skills and the ability to transcribe speech phonetically
• Able to work with Alternative and Augmentative Communications Systems
• Able to use PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System), TEACHH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication Handicapped Children) and Makaton in working practice
• Willingness to continue with own professional development

Additional Duties:

To carry out any additional responsibilities as may be reasonably required by the Headteacher within the purview of the post.

 Individuals have a responsibility to promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young person’s that they are responsible for, or come into contact with.

Please send completed application forms to recruitment@mapleridge.hants.sch.uk

if you have any questions please email recruitment@mapleridge.hants.sch.uk 

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.