Freelance Senior Speech and Language Therapist- Youth Justice ServiceinBirminghaminBirminghamPUBLISHED FRI 21 MAR 2025
In conjunction with the Team Leader, to plan, develop and co-ordinate the Speech and Language Therapy service to children with speech, language communication needs known to the Youth Justice Service (YJS). There is a strong support and advisory element within this role.
To coordinate the provision of suitable Speech and Language Therapy services in line with needs of the client base.
To participate in the assessment and diagnosis of children/ young people with a range of SLCN.
To provide advice, support, and training for a range of professionals working for the YOT team.
To proactively support the growth and development of Chatterbug by representing the organisation at a local/national level.
About us
To assess and diagnose speech, language, communication needs (SLCN) for young people accessing YJS including those with special educational needs and those in care.
To develop and advise on strategies to support young people with SLCN accessing YJS. This includes working with young people and with the people who live and work with them on a daily basis
Where appropriate and in agreement with the young person, to develop and implement specialist speech and language therapy treatment and programmes and to measure and evaluate outcomes
To ensure that clients / parents or carers / YJS staff /teachers are involved in the planning and prioritisation of the treatment programmes wherever possible.
To demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence based practice and outcome measures
To contribute to legal documents such as Education Health and Care Plans and Court Reports
To adapt practice to meet individual clients circumstances, including due regard for cultural and linguistic differences.
To maintain up to date and accurate case notes in line with HCPC and RCSLT professional standards and organisation policies
To share information with clients, carers and other professionals, observing data protection guidelines
To contribute specialist knowledge to multi and uni disciplinary teams to ensure a client focused approach to treatment.
To attend high risk review meetings as requested.
To communicate complex information from assessment and treatment to clients, carers and other professionals.
To make onward referrals as appropriate e.g. Additional Health Needs Panel
To work closely with clients, carers and other professionals to negotiate and agree client management
To demonstrate empathy with clients, carers and colleagues, ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where significant barriers to understanding exist
To respond sensitively at all times particularly when imparting potentially distressing information regarding the nature of the clinical difficulties and their implications
To demonstrate expert skills in motivating clients, carers and other professionals to engage in the assessment and therapeutic process
To demonstrate expert skills in managing conflict within the clinical highly specialist area
To deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible, in line with Chatterbug policy
To foster productive relationships with others who have challenging communication difficulties and who may be under stress
To provide specialist assessment and advice on optimising the clients communicative environment taking into consideration the communication skills of parents / guardians, carers and other professionals
To provide clinical advice, support and second opinions for therapists and other professionals working with children with speech, language, communication disorders, offering case discussions, joint assessments, joint intervention and therapy programmes as appropriate
To demonstrate independence in dealing with complex issues related to caseload management
To employ counselling skills with parents/carers and clients with highly complex needs
To discharge appropriately agreeing a point of closure with the parents/ carers, young person and informing other professionals as appropriate
Communication
To employ excellent communication skills
To produce reports, reflecting specialist knowledge, in a format that is easily understood by the young person. Reports will include summary of strengths and needs and functional strategies for daily living.
To apply expert strategies to facilitate and enhance the effectiveness of communication, both verbal, non verbal and environmental, including the use of high and low tech AAC where necessary
Teaching Skills
To develop and deliver highly specialist training to others in the area of SLCN, including YJS staff and parents/carers.
To demonstrate the ability to target training appropriately to the needs of course participants.
To demonstrate the ability to reflect on and evaluate training provided.
Service Development
To provide supervision and mentorship, training and support for colleagues and newly qualified therapists and assistants as per Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy guidelines
To provide full student placements including assessment of the placements as appropriate.
To advise line manager on clinical issues of service delivery, including short falls, service pressures etc
To assume service tasks as delegated by line manager, including participation in working groups, policy development groups
To use specialist knowledge to lead service / policy development as appropriate
To monitor stock levels in own service area and request new equipment as appropriate.
To be responsible for the security, care maintenance and delivery of equipment ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained, including equipment loaned to clients
Clinical Governance Requirements
To gather statistical data punctually
To participate in service research as required
To undertake Clinical Governance/audit projects within the local service as required
To have a working knowledge of relevant procedures including: safeguarding children, SEN procedures, and other legal frameworks
Continuing Professional Development
To identify personal/professional development evidenced by Personal Development Plan/Professional Portfolio developed within an appraisal framework, including objectives
To demonstrate a passion and commitment to the profession through self guided study
To participate in individual performance review, ensuring that the objectives set reflect the service and trust plans, including objectives relevant for SLCN
To demonstrate knowledge of and adhere to RCSLT Professional and Local Clinical Guidelines
To attend relevant in service training and meetings
To demonstrate knowledge of, and adherence to RCSLT Professional and Local Clinical Guidelines and best practice.
To take responsibility for maintaining and continually developing professional skills and knowledge in SLCN
Analytical and Judgemental Skills
To demonstrate the ability to reflect on practice independently, with peers and mentors, to identify own strengths and development needs
To demonstrate a well developed ability to integrate information taking account of all aspects of the clients communication including verbal, non verbal and environmental
To anticipate and take appropriate steps to prevent the breakdown of relationships with parents / guardians and other professionals
To make appropriate clinical decisions following assessment, seeking support and advice from a specialist as appropriate
To make a differential diagnosis on the basis of evidence from specialist assessment seeking support from internal and external sources as appropriate
Responsibility for Client Care and Contact with Carers
To demonstrate the well-developed ability to manage people with communication disorders and challenging behaviour
To work closely with clients, carers and other professionals to negotiate and agree client management
To demonstrate empathy with clients, carers and colleagues, ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where significant barriers to understanding exist
To respond sensitively at all times particularly when imparting potentially distressing information regarding the nature of the clinical difficulties and their implications
To demonstrate expert skills in motivating clients, carers and other professionals to engage in the therapeutic process
To adapt practice to meet individual clients circumstances, including due regard for cultural and linguistic differences
To work within infection control and health and safety guidelines in order to deal appropriately with unpleasant conditions related to client contact as they arise: for example exposure to body fluids, infectious conditions, encountered on a regular basis.
Physical Skills
To demonstrate highly developed auditory and perceptual skills in the assessment diagnosis and treatment of clients
To demonstrate knowledge of correct moving/handling clients with disabilities
To use equipment with due care
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