Specialist Speech and Language Therapist - Youth Justice Team inBedford inBedford PUBLISHED THU 10 OCT 2024

Are you a qualified Speech and Language Therapist looking to change course in your role and make a difference?

Interested in maybe working with external agencies such as Education, Police, Social care and the criminal justice system?

Have broad clinical experience to really support children as part of the Bedfordshire Youth Offending Team? You will be working alongside a Band 7 Speech and Language Therapist. Then this established post could be for you...

Role isa 3 year Fixed Term

This role will challenge all of your skills and experience, and will enable you to engage with other agencies, and of course young people to really support them in a time of need.

You will need:

A recognised qualification or degree in Speech and Language Therapy

Evidence of other recognised short course around this discipline which will enhance the role

An avid interest in supporting young people who may be youth offenders

An understanding of other roles which may connect with this one to enable the best possible all-round support

We offer:

Continuation of your skills and experience, with opportunities to add to these

- Exposure to several external agencies where your knowledge will be crucial to support offered to young people

- Flexible working and access to a great range of other benefits and in-house service

- The chance to join an innovative team looking to offer the best service possible. If this is piquing your interest apply now...

We look forward to you joining us!

This post involves identification at a specialist level, the types of communication disorders found in this client group and the provision and delivery of a range of appropriate interventions to the young people and their case managers.

The post holder will work closely with youth offending staff to facilitate their communication skills with this client group, and as part of this work will undertake training of BYOS staff and partner agencies to raise awareness of the types of communication difficulties faced by the young people and strategies to facilitate their communication.

The post holder will also liaise where necessary to develop and increase the understanding of communication difficulties and appropriate interventions with partner agencies in respect of those children known to the BYOS.

The post holder will provide specialist clinical input to this group of young people and advise on the development of services in this area.

(Please note that should we receive a high number of applications, we reserve the right to close the advert earlier than advertised).

About us

This job description should be read in conjunction with the YPS Guidance for Seconded and Commissioned staff.

SERVICE OVERVIEW

The aim of the Youth Offending Team is to reduce the risk of child criminal exploitation, first time offending, re-offending, anti-social behaviour, reducing harm to children and young people and to protect the public from harm. The aim of our interventions at every level is to significantly improve the outcomes and opportunities for the children and young people in Bedfordshire.

Our vision for the service sees children as children first, treats them fairly and helps them to build on their strengths so they can achieve their fullest potential and make a positive contribution to society.

Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Manage and prioritise the Central Bedfordshire caseload for BYOS and deliver SLT interventions with an appropriate degree of autonomy, with regular support and supervision.

Use specialist clinical skills to manage a caseload of children with a range of communication difficulties. To identify caseload, assess and diagnose communication impairments and select appropriate management for effective treatment.

To embed improved identification of SLCN, appropriate and timely referrals on/intervention for this client group.

To plan, organise and prioritise own workload, clinical and non-clinical.

Ensure effective partnership working across agencies for this part of the service

To undertake training of BYOS & PRU staff to raise awareness of the types of communication difficulties faced by the young people and to offer strategies to facilitate their communication

To facilitate and provide learning opportunities for the wider workforce around SLCN and this client group i.e. court staff, police, childrens services workforce, early help etc.

Facilitate access to mainstream services as appropriate.

To make referrals onto specialist services as required, including Health, Education and / or Social Services

To have knowledge of and contribute to the EHCP process within the given timescales, including preparing reports with outcomes and targets for the initial report and for annual reviews as required.

To develop your own specialist clinical knowledge in this area of work through clinical supervision, training and experience.

To seek out second opinions from more experience colleagues as required.

Independently take students on placements for clinical teaching and supervision, including exam placement.

Undertake supervision and complete appraisals for SLTs and Support Practitioners.

To contribute to the support of newly and recently graduated SLT Staff.

To support and take part in the induction and training of new staff to the service.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

To work collaboratively and liaise with a wide range of practitioners across a variety of locations and agencies, ensuring well-co-ordinated interventions as part of a young persons overall intervention plan.

To attend and report to case conferences/review meetings etc. for patients on the caseload with support as requested. To provide input to planning in relation to a young persons management, and to provide specialist advice and information.

To record all work undertaken with PRU and partner agency to enable effective support

To actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with all Health services and other providers, BYOS staff and those partner agencies

To ensure that own behaviour and decision making supports the equality, diversity, rights and responsibilities of service users and professional colleagues.

To attend BYOS business, Service, panel, review meetings as required

For more details, please check the JD & PS attached to this vacancy