JOB DESCRIPTION
Speech and Language Therapy Service
1.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Job Title:
Speech and Language Therapist
Grade:
Band 5
Hours:
37.5 hrs
Terms & Conditions
of service
In accordance with the Agenda for Change
terms and conditions of service
Responsible to:
Speech and Language Therapy Clinical Co-ordinator
(according to role)
Accountable to:
Professional Lead for Speech & Language Therapy in
Whittington Health
JOB SUMMARY
Whittington Health provides a 0-19 service to children, young people and their families across
the 3 boroughs. Services are delivered in clinical and multi-agency teams, and in a range of
settings including families homes, children’s centres, health centres, and mainstream and
special schools and specialist units.
The 3 borough services are managed and delivered differently according to local differences,
but come together under a the Division of Women, Children and Families, and the services are
underpinned by strong professional leadership.
The Speech & Language Therapy Services are specialist multi-agency services for children,
young people and families with a range of speech, language and communication difficulties
resident in or attending schools in the 3 boroughs. Camden, Haringey and Islington are
culturally diverse boroughs with many multi-ethnic, bilingual and multi-lingual speaking
communities.
The post holder will work in multi-agency teams according to service needs and clinical
interest. The service provided consists of assessment, diagnosis and intervention for
individual children as well as providing support services to families and the wider children’s
workforce.
The services have been recognised at a national level for the quality of their service delivery in
relation to multi-agency working and evidence based practice.
The post holder will be undertaking his/her post-qualification year, with the appropriate level of
support from the line manager/clinical supervisor
The post holder is an autonomous practitioner and is responsible for organising and managing
his/her own caseload in a designated service area. S/he will need basic knowledge in the
assessment, diagnosis and treatment of developmental speech and language disorders and
social communication difficulties. The post holder may also work with children who have
associated syndromes or special educational needs which interact with their language
development. S/he is expected to have a basic knowledge of the education system as it
relates to classroom practice
The post holder is responsible for supporting the children’s workforce to include pupils in their
mainstream environments. This may involve whole setting training, and teaching whole class
groups. S/he will also plan and provide individual and small group therapy. This requires
knowledge and use of basic therapeutic techniques, as well as basic knowledge of signing and
symbol systems. S/he will monitor and work with assistants involved in the support of children
in the classroom
The post holder will have excellent communication skills and the ability to overcome
communication barriers, displaying an awareness and sensitivity to social, cultural and
economic issues. In particular the post holder will need to be flexible and adaptable in order
to meet the capacity needs of the services. S/he will be skilled at giving information to parents
and families in a way they are able to understand. S/he will need the ability to empathise in
order to support parents to accept the implications of their child’s special needs. S/he will
need the skills to work with parents who may have a range of language, learning and mental
health needs themselves and present with challenging behaviour. S/he must also have
influencing skills in order to work with schools and support the children’s workforce to modify
teaching styles as required.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
CLINICAL
1. To demonstrate basic clinical expertise in the assessment, treatment and management of
a wide range of language and communication difficulties in children and providing
appropriate intervention and evaluating outcomes
2. To demonstrate clinical effectiveness drawing on evidence based practice and outcome
measures
3. To demonstrate highly developed auditory and perceptual skills in the assessment,
diagnosis and treatment of patients/clients
4. To make basic differential diagnoses and clinical decisions based on evidence from
assessment, seeking support and advice from a supervisor as appropriate
5. To develop knowledge and skills in a wide range of language and communication needs in
children with training, support and supervision from clinical supervisor as appropriate.
6. To develop clear care plans based on best practice
7. To provide advice to others regarding the management and care of children with language
and communication impairments
8. To communicate complex condition related information from assessment to clients, carers,
families and members of the multi-disciplinary team/other professions, demonstrating
empathy and ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where barriers
to understanding exist
9. To work closely with clients, carers and families in order to agree plans of management
10. To deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible
11. To form productive relationships with others who may be under stress and/or have
challenging communication difficulties.
12. To employ excellent communication skills
13. To develop skills in motivating clients and /or carers to engage in the therapeutic process
14. To maintain sensitivity at all times to the emotional needs of children with a wide range of
language and communication needs and their carers in particular when imparting
potentially distressing information regarding the nature of their difficulties and implications
of the same
15. To develop the ability to manage children with challenging behaviours employing
appropriate management strategies
16. To monitor and review the progress of clients against the targets set and agreed, seeking
support from clinical supervisor as appropriate.
17. To demonstrate the ability to reflect on practice with peers/clinical supervisor based on
research and evidence based practice.
18. To be aware of legal requirements relating to the provision of a specialist speech and
language therapy service, seeking support and advice as appropriate.
19. To maintain up to date and accurate case notes and write reports that meet departmental
standards and are in line with local trust policy, and RCSLT professional standards, with
support as appropriate
20. To manage and prioritise a defined caseload and workload independently
21. To contribute to multi-agency assessments, including the statutory educational
assessment procedure, as required, seeking support and supervision as required
22. To negotiate with carers, clients and others around individual case management
23. To develop negotiation skills in the management of conflict across a range of situations,
recognising potential breakdown and conflict when it occurs, seeking advice and support to
resolve
24. To ensure that clients are referred to other services as appropriate, in consultation with
manager or supervisor
25. To develop a working knowledge of the principles of Clinical Governance and their
application to professional practice. This will include compliance with / adherence to
service and team plans and policies, National and Local Guidelines and RCSLT
Professional and Clinical guidelines and competency framework.
26. To develop a working knowledge of relevant procedures including: Safeguarding Children,
SEN procedures, Working with Vulnerable Adults and other legal frameworks.
27. To be accountable for own professional action, recognising professional boundaries and
working within defined departmental and national protocols/policies and professional code
of conduct, seeking advice as appropriate
28. To work independently accessing appraisal within an Individual Performance Framework at
pre-determined intervals
WORK CONDITIONS
1. To have due regard for personal safety and that of children/carers, adhering to moving
and handling regulations, restraining policies and ensuring the safe positioning of self and
others.
2. To demonstrate skills in handling clients with disabilities as appropriate.
3. To be flexible to the demands of the environment including unpredictable work patterns,
deadlines and frequent interruptions
4. To conform to the provisions of the Health and Safety Act and to comply with local policies,
attending statutory training including Level 2 Child Protection, on an annual basis or as
appropriate
5. To employ appropriate strategies to manage aggressive behaviour within the workplace
LIAISON/TEAMWORK
1. To contribute to the function of clinical teams both multi disciplinary and uni disciplinary by
discussing own and others input around clients needs ensuring a well co-ordinated care
plan
2. To liaise and share information with health and educational staff as appropriate., observing
data protection guidelines
3. To contribute to multi agency meetings, case conferences and annual reviews seeking
advice, support and guidance as appropriate.
OTHER
1. To undertake any other duties as required by the Speech and Language Therapy Services
Manager, which may include a change in workplace.
Revalidation and Registration
It is the responsibility of all staff registered with a professional body to:
 Act within the Professional Bodies Code of Practice
 Maintain their own work profile to ensure revalidation standards are met, and assist
junior registered staff in achieving revalidation.
 Contribute and participate in the development of nurses and nursing practice across the
trust through leading ward projects, and supporting training.
 Ensure optimum use is made of working time.
Equal Opportunities
It is the aim of the Trust to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less than
favourable treatment on grounds of sex, marital and civil partnership status, gender
reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, colour, creed, religion or belief, physical
disability, mental health, learning difficulty, age or sexual orientation and is not placed at a
disadvantage by conditions or requirements that cannot be shown to be justifiable. To this
end the Trust has an equal opportunities policy and it is for each employee to contribute to its
success. The hospital has a single equality scheme, which underpins its duty to promote
equality. You can access a copy of the scheme on the trust's website.
Infection control
All staff have a responsibility to prevent and control infections within the Whittington. This
includes ensuring personal and team compliance with all relevant policies, especially
hand hygiene, the trust dress code, and MRSA screening policies.
Working patterns
The Trust is currently exploring ways in which patients can be given more choice about when
they can attend appointments at the hospital. In order to make this possible there may be a
future requirement for administrative staff scheduling appointments for patients to contact
them by telephone in the evenings or at weekends. This means that administrative staff may
be required to work a shift pattern in future. Shifts will not normally operate beyond 9 pm in the
evenings and appropriate pay enhancements will apply. Staff will be consulted about the
introduction of / changes to shift systems.
Staff working in any department where an on 'call rota' operates will be required to participate
in the rota. Managers will discuss with staff the level of 'on call' cover required taking into
account their individual circumstances.
Staff in nursing posts may be requested to work in any area throughout the Trust by the
matron or the site manager.
Health & Safety Policy
Employees must be aware of the responsibilities placed on them under the Health and Safety
at Work Act 1974, to ensure that the agreed safety procedures are carried out to maintain a
safe environment for employees and visitors.
Safeguarding children and child protection
To comply with the Trust’s Safe Guarding Children and Vulnerable Adults policies, procedures
and protocols. All individual members of staff (paid or unpaid) have a duty to safeguard and
promote the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults This will require you to:

Ensure you are familiar with and comply with the London Child Protection
Procedures and protocols for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and
young people.

Ensure you are familiar and comply with the Croydon Multi Agency Safeguarding
Vulnerable Adults Pan London Procedures.

Ensure you are familiar and comply with local protocols and systems for
information sharing.

Know the appropriate contact numbers and required reporting lines.

Participate in required training and supervision.

Comply with required professional boundaries and codes of conduct
Whittington Health is committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expects
all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Data Protection
This post has a confidential aspect. If you are required to obtain, process and/or use
information held on a computer or word processor you should do it in a fair and lawful way.
You should hold data only for the specific registered purpose and not use or disclose it in any
way incompatible with such a purpose and ought to disclose data only to authorised persons
or organisations as instructed. Breaches of confidence in relation to data will result in
disciplinary action, which may result in dismissal.
Confidentiality
You are required to maintain confidentiality of any information concerning patients or staff
which you have access to or may be given in the course of your work, in accordance with
current policy on confidentiality at Whittington Health.
Whittington Promise to Patients
Whittington Health expects its employees to communicate with colleagues, patients and
visitors in a polite and courteous manner at all times. You are expected to contribute to
improving our patients’ experiences by delivering the Whittington Promise:
 We will be clean
 We will be welcoming and caring
 We will be well organised
 We will offer the best possible treatment
 We will give you information and listen to what you tell us
Carbon Reduction
All staff have a responsibility to contribute to a reduction in the organisation's carbon footprint.
You should actively encourage others through your own actions to reduce their contribution to
carbon emissions. This includes switching off electrical appliances that are not in use, turning
down heating, closing windows, switching off lights and reporting carbon waste.
Security
It is the responsibility of all employees to work within the security policies and procedures of
the Whittington Health NHS Trust to protect the patients, staff and visitors and the property of
the Trust. This duty applies to the specific work area of the individual and the Hospital in
general. All staff are required to wear official identification badges.
No Smoking
Whittington Health promotes a No Smoking Policy as part of employee’s healthy living style.
You will be required to work within the framework of this policy. Smoking is not
permitted within Whittington Health premises.
Method of Payment
Payment of salaries is made into your bank account/building society account by direct bank
system. Details of a bank account or building society account will be required on the first day
at work. There is no facility for any other form of payment.
Probationary Period
Employment at Whittington Health is offered subject to successful completion of a 6 month
probationary period for all staff with the exception of GMC Registered Doctors.
7
INITIALS AND DATE OF PREPARATION
HU 29.01.2016
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POST: Speech & Language
Therapist
Band: 5
Requirement
Please Tick One Box
QUALIFICATION / TRAINING
Essential
CANDIDATES NAME:
Desirable
Method to support
Assessment
Fully Met
Part Met
Not Met
BSc. Speech Path or Equivalent
(including Dip. CST
*
Application form
HPC licence to practise, and
Registered member of RCSLT
*
Application form
Basic research methodology
*
Application form
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Evidence to support
Assessment
9
Requirements
Please Tick One Box
KNOWLEDGE
Essential
Desirable
Method to support
Assessment
Fully Met
Part Met
Not Met
Of a range of assessment tools and
procedures to evaluate communication,
speech & language skills in the field of
language impairment
*
Interview/ application
form
Of the key characteristics leading to a
basic differential diagnosis of high
frequency language and communication
needs
*
Interview
Of selecting, setting & evaluating treatment
goals
*
Interview
Of a range of basic therapeutic
interventions relevant to children with high
frequency language and communication
needs
*
Interview/ application
form
Knowledge of local cultural, linguistic &
demographic factors affecting client
management
*
Interview/ application
form
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Evidence to
support
Assessment
10
Understanding of multi-disciplinary team
approaches
*
Interview/application
form
Basic qualitative & quantitative research
approaches
*
Application form
Basic lifting &/or positioning of clients as
relevant to the field
*
Application form
Basic approaches to support clients &
carers with challenging behaviour , mental
health needs or in high levels of distress
Interview/application
form
*
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Requirements
Please Tick One Box
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
Essential Desirable Fully Met Part Met
Of working with children with speech,
language and communication needs
*
Method to support
Assessment
Not Met
Application form
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Evidence to
support
Assessment
12
Requirements
Please Tick One Box
Skills
Essential
Method to support
Assessment
Desirable Fully Met Part Met Not Met
Communicate complex, sensitive information
*
Interview
Excellent communication skills
*
Interview
Select basic intervention accurately
*
Interview
Make accurate phonetic / phonemic transcription
of spoken language
*
Interview
Flexibility
*
Interview
Ability to reflect on practice
*
Interview
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
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Evidence to support
Assessment
13
Able to seek and provide support
*
Interview
Training Needs
Identify at interview
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14
IMPORTANT: Please be thorough in your reasons for accepting or rejecting this applicant as you may be asked to account for
your decision at an industry tribunal
Decision
Yes
No
Reason for not offering the post
Reject or Offer Post
Completed by:
Signature:
Date:
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Knowledge Skills Framework Outline Form
This form should be completed for each role identified within the Trust. There is a requirement to indicate the subset KSF levels to
be achieved for use in foundation gateways as well as the KSF levels to be achieved at the second gateway.
POST: Band 5 Speech and Language Therapist
KSF DIMENSION
TEAM: generic
NEEDED FOR
POST?
LEVELS
DIMENSIONS
HEALTH
&
WELLBEI
NG
CORE
1
2
3
NOTES
4
O
X
O = Foundation Gateway X = Final Gateway
See job summary and clinical section in JD
1 Communication
Yes
2 Personal & People
Development
3 Health Safety & Security
Yes
O
Yes
O
X
4 Service Improvement
Yes
O
X
See personal and professional development
section in JD
See health and safety, work conditions and clinical
sections of JD – SLT may work with eating,
drinking & swallowing difficulties
See research section in JD
5 Quality
Yes
O
X
See research and clinical sections in JD
6 Equality & Diversity
Yes
O
X
See equal opportunities and clinical sections in JD
HWB4
Yes
X
O
X
Enablement to address
health and wellbeing
needs
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See clinical section in JD
16
O
X
See clinical section in JD
SLT works with interpreters on a regular basis
Yes
O
X
See clinical section in JD
INFO
RMA
TION
&
KNO
WLE
DGE
Yes
Yes
O
X
GEN
ERA
L
HWB6
Assessment and
treatment planning
HWB7
Interventions and
treatments
IK2
Information collection and
analysis
G1
Learning and
development
Yes
O
See research section in JD
X
…. caring for you
See job summary and teaching & training in JD.
Required to train support staff as appropriate