Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist | Community Health NHS Foundation Trust

Opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity for a Speech and Language Therapist who is passionate about working in the field of Autism. You would be joining the Children’s Therapies Team in the South East Kent locality. We are an integrated therapies team providing Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy services, working in collaboration with colleagues such as Paediatricians, Clinical Psychologists and Specialist Nurse Advisors as part of the diagnostic pathway for Autism.

This full time vacancy is within the South East Locality and is based in Margate, at Greenbanks multi agency hub. The role will also include working where the need is greatest across the locality, which currently is in Canterbury. This Band 7 role encompasses both leadership and clinical work in the community with children and families aged 0-19 years. You will be part of an innovative, cohesive and enthusiastic team of Autism diagnostic speech & therapists.

This is an opportunity for a therapist with direct experience of working with children with ASD and knowledge of current assessment tools, such as the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) to join our ASD diagnostic team. Ideally you would already be ADOS trained, however, for the right candidate, training would be made available.

• Carrying out high-quality ADOS assessments, as part of a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) for children and young people.
• Effectively communicating with neurodiverse children and young people and their families, as well as internal and external staff. Demonstrating neuro-affirming practice.
• Producing high quality, detailed reports in a timely manner.
• Leading on service policy and clinical care pathways across the trust in this specialist clinical area.
• Reporting to and advising on development requirements in this specialist area to Professional Leads, Team Leads, Locality Clinical Manager and/or Head of Service.
• Participating in your own reflective practice and on-going learning within the field of Autism.
• Ensuring that staff working in the field of Autism have regular access to effective supervision, training and support to enhance their CPD in this area.
• Band 7 Clinicians hold responsibility for delegated line management and supervision of staff working within the team.

The successful applicant will work alongside the local Community Paediatric team to assess children on the Autism diagnostic pathway. There will also be a focus on supporting with our “waiting well” project, to ensure that patients waiting are kept informed. In addition we would like you to support the team in developing their neuro-affirming practice, and to keep the team informed about the latest research and developments within the field of Autism, through CPD opportunities.

Please contact Sonia Sivyer () –  or Harriet Harris (). We would strongly advise that you speak to one of our recruiting staff and arrange a visit.

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As a community Trust, many of our roles require individuals to be able to drive to perform their duties. Where driving is a requirement of the role, you will be asked to confirm that you hold a full UK driving licence or a full driving licence issued by an EU country (not exchanged from a non-EU country) to proceed with your…