Speech and Language Therapist inPlymouth inPlymouth PUBLISHED 6 DEC 2023

) CLINICAL

• To be responsible for managing own speech and language therapy caseload of adults with severe learning disabilities with guidance and support from senior colleagues. The degree of communication impairment may range from mild to severe.

Managing the caseload includes:

• Assessment and diagnosis of the communication difficulties of the individual, using both specialist speech and language therapy assessments and also observational and informal assessment skills, in order to form an overall picture of the individuals communication strengths and difficulties, both in understanding and expression, in a variety of situations and settings. Assessment includes the use of video and audio recording where appropriate. The speech and language therapy assessment may contribute to a multi-disciplinary assessment of the individual. In gathering this information there may be conflict of opinion about the individuals communication strengths and needs. The therapist therefore needs to analyse the information given in order to make a judgment about the most appropriate action to take and negotiate this with the people involved.
• Assessment, diagnosis and management of service users with dysphagia. Clinical supervision provided as appropriate in order to develop skills in dysphagia to a level of independent clinical practice following formal training and clinical supervision until deemed competent.
• Intervention and/or advice regarding the specific communication difficulties and dysphagia of the individual.

Intervention includes;

- Specialist speech and language therapy interventions working on the individuals speech and/or language skills.

- Using specialist communication programmes including the use of systems designed to be an alternative to, or to augment, speech, including sign and symbols.

- The use of specialist programmes such as Intensive Interaction for individuals who have little or no understanding of language.

- The setting up and use of microelectronic communication aids.

• Develops and implements individual and/or group interventions, in collaboration with the service user(s) and MDT to achieve therapeutic goals. Such groups include e.g. communication groups, social skills groups, Makaton etc.
• Engages service users in therapeutic activities and encourages them in a compassionate manner, to support them in achieving their identified goals.
• Supervising others who may be implementing the communication programme.
• Reviewing and evaluating progress, at regular intervals, in order to update the communication programmes as necessary.
• Discharging as appropriate.

• To record details of assessment and intervention. To write comprehensive reports giving details of the individuals communication skills and difficulties, and strategies that have been shown to promote more effective communication. To use the appropriate paperwork and electronic recording systems (currently SystmOne) to record contacts and details of assessments, care plans and reviews.

• To organise group work as required as part of speech and language therapy intervention with people with learning disabilities.

• To work as part of the core team when a person is being seen by several clinicians from the multi-disciplinary team. The purpose of the core team is to co-ordinate care. This may require negotiation of need and priorities where there is a conflict of opinion. The speech and language therapist may be required to be the lead professional for individuals on their caseload.

• To develop and deliver training programmes on communication and dysphagia for carers, support staff and professionals involved with people with severe learning disabilities. The training is delivered to groups ranging in size from 2 40 people.

• To alert the AHP Lead within Livewell Southwest or Service Manager of the Community Learning Disabilities Team where, due to risk or lack of clarity, there is a need for the development of a policy of procedure in order to ensure delivery of a safe and effective speech and language therapy service to people with learning disabilities and to contribute to the development of relevant procedure and policies.

• To assist others as appropriate, in making information accessible to people with learning disabilities i.e. people who are unable to read and/or have some difficulty in understanding complex language. This assistance may take the form of advice on how to make the materials (it does not necessary mean making materials for other groups of professional).

2) ADMINISTRATIVE

2.1 To keep clear and accurate case notes (normally electronic) and all other necessary records to meet both professional standards, and the standards of the Record Keeping Policy of Livewell Southwest. This is to include input of statistics as required.

2.2 To use word processing programmes, email and the Internet as required. To use specialist software particularly packages using symbols and digital photography to make materials for use as part of an individuals communication programme.

2.3 Prepares therapeutic material such as visual symbol timetables, communication books, symbol cards etc, teaching materials and other speech and language service literature.

2.4 To ensure all equipment and materials used are maintained in good order and inform the budget holder of the need for additional or replacement items. To ensure that all equipment is kept in such a way to meet Health and Safety at Work Regulations.

2.5 To contribute towards making information accessible to individuals with learning disabilities, e.g. leaflets about the service provided etc To advise other agencies on appropriate materials to use on request.

3) PROFFESSIONAL

3.1 To adhere to national and local Standards and Guidelines relating to Professional Practice.

3.2 To be aware of and adhere to current legislation and employers procedures. To attend Mandatory Training as required by the employer.

3.3 To identify own training requirements and update clinical knowledge by engaging in continuing professional development activities including reading appropriate literature, attending local in-service training meetings of speech and language therapists, regional Clinical Excellence Networks and training as appropriate.

3.4 To participate in supervision, personal appraisal and peer review. To take an active part in the speech and language therapy peer clinical supervision group by leading on and contributing to case discussions, review of literature etc. To seek supervision from other members of the LD MDT relating to shared areas of understanding and practice. To receive supervision from the Specialist SLTs who have extensive LD experience.

3.5 To demonstrate ongoing personal development through participation in internal and external development opportunities, reflecting and recording outcomes in a personal log as required for Continuing Professional Development by the RoyalCollege of Speech and Language Therapists and the Health and Care Professions Council. To keep an up to date record of evidence for meeting the criteria set out in the Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) for the post.

3.6 To participate in research and/or audit projects as required. To broaden research and audit skills where there is the opportunity to do this.

Fixed term 12 months Maternity Cover Band 5 SLT 20.5 hours a week

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a qualified SLT to work in the Community Learning Disability Team in Plymouth.

We are a forward thinking team who puts peoples needs at the heart of what we do.

The post is a community post based within the multi-disciplinary team of the Plymouth Community Learning Disabilities Team which is part of Livewell Southwest. The post will interest someone who enjoys working with a multi-disciplinary environment and who is committed to providing a high quality speech and language therapy service to people with a learning disability and their carers.

The Community Learning Disabilities Team is a multi-disciplinary health team, of which the speech and language therapists are a part. There is a WTE Band 7 and a WTE Band 6 Speech and Language Therapists and 0.3 WTE Speech and Language Therapy Assistant within the service as well as this Band 5 post.

The post holder will work within the multi-disciplinary team to provide a specialist speech and language therapy service to adults with a range of learning disabilities within the community. The post involves working in a variety of settings eg. Family homes, residential homes, supported living environments, day services, community settings and health settings.

The work includes provision of training to carers and support staff to develop capable communication environments for people with a learning disability.

• To have responsibility for managing own speech and language therapycaseload of adults with a range of learning disabilities with guidance and support from senior colleagues, using person-centered principles.
• The caseload includes individuals with complex needs including severe and profound learning disabilities e.g. autism, sensory and/or physical impairment, behavioural and emotional problems, dementia, behaviours which challenge (including verbal and physical behaviours directed at self or others), in addition to severe learning disabilities.

• To develop, organise and deliver training programs with guidance and support from senior colleagues to carers, support staff and other professionals and also to people working mainstream services who have contact with adults with severe learning disabilities.Some of the training is delivered with other members of the multi-disciplinary team. This includes Total communication and other specialist techniques, in order to develop appropriate communication environments to facilitate the communication of individuals with a severe learning disabilities. It also includes developing and delivering training in the use of IT to facilitate effective communication e.g. the production of communication passports.

• To represent speech and language therapy and participate in core group MDT working and meetings across the team.

This role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route.