Job summary Are you looking for an opportunity to work with and support children and young people with communication difficulties? The Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy Service have an exciting opportunity for a full time Support Practitioner role. This is based in our Bedford Borough Locality. The successful applicants will have experience of working with children and / or young people, be able to work as part of a team; be dynamic, motivated and creative, with excellent communication skills. Main duties of the job To work across a range of community clinics, pre-schools, mainstream schools, special schools and in the Child Development Centres, under the supervision of a Speech and Language Therapist and / or the Senior Support Practitioner, as a member of the Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy team. To carry out routine intervention with direct and indirect supervision. To work alongside the Speech and Language Therapist(s) (SLT) and colleagues to run therapy groups, carry out advice reviews, model and implement therapy advice and programmes. To provide clinical administrative support, including preparing resource materials. To independently provide training to parents and education staff under supervision and guidance from a therapist. About us Rated 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission, we are proud to provide high quality innovative services across most of the east of England that enable people to receive care closer to home and live healthier lives. There's one reason why our services are outstanding - and that's our amazing staff - who, for the seventh year running, rated us incredibly highly in the national staff survey. If you share our passion for innovative and high-quality care delivery, then please submit your application and join us on our exciting journey as a leading-edge specialist community provider. All are welcome to apply and our promise to you is a culture which prioritises staff engagement and development. Date posted 18 February 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 3 Salary £22,816 to £24,336 a year per annum, pro-rata Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working Reference number 448-BCHS-7010275 Job locations Various locations across Bedford Borough Bedford MK42 7PN Job description Job responsibilities Main Duties and Responsibilities To implement and carry out or model therapeutic interventions which have been set by the SLT with patients with a range of communication difficulties and complex needs. To carry out specified observation and information gathering to contribute to the SLTs assessment. To work closely with the Speech and Language Therapist to ensure appropriate support and supervision and to allow for modification of the intervention by the therapist. To support educators and parents / carers. To prepare and organise therapy activities, resources, training materials and equipment for own or others therapy, within the programme agreed by the supervising Therapist To plan a timetable of activities for therapy sessions. To raise the need to review a programme with the SLT following analysis of a patients response to the intervention. To recognise potential conflict when it occurs and seek advice and support from your supervisor or line manager to find a resolution. To form productive working relationships with service users who may be under stress and / or have challenging communication difficulties and to motivate them to engage in work programmes. To carry out designated work efficiently within a given specific timeframe, as allocated to them by the SLT. To complete case notes, collaborative working documents and other record keeping requirements following clinical sessions, liaison meetings and patient contacts. To support the administrative work of the Speech and Language Therapy service and initiate appropriate administrative tasks when required. Key Relationships: Children and young people, parents/carers, education staff, other health and education professionals as required. Job description Job responsibilities Main Duties and Responsibilities To implement and carry out or model therapeutic interventions which have been set by the SLT with patients with a range of communication difficulties and complex needs. To carry out specified observation and information gathering to contribute to the SLTs assessment. To work closely with the Speech and Language Therapist to ensure appropriate support and supervision and to allow for modification of the intervention by the therapist. To support educators and parents / carers. To prepare and organise therapy activities, resources, training materials and equipment for own or others therapy, within the programme agreed by the supervising Therapist To plan a timetable of activities for therapy sessions. To raise the need to review a programme with the SLT following analysis of a patients response to the intervention. To recognise potential conflict when it occurs and seek advice and support from your supervisor or line manager to find a resolution. To form productive working relationships with service users who may be under stress and / or have challenging communication difficulties and to motivate them to engage in work programmes. To carry out designated work efficiently within a given specific timeframe, as allocated to them by the SLT. To complete case notes, collaborative working documents and other record keeping requirements following clinical sessions, liaison meetings and patient contacts. To support the administrative work of the Speech and Language Therapy service and initiate appropriate administrative tasks when required. Key Relationships: Children and young people, parents/carers, education staff, other health and education professionals as required. Person Specification Qualifications and Training Essential NVQ III / BTech in SLT or Relevant prior experience in Speech and Language Therapy or Relevant practical work experience related to the job description and working with children. Demonstrates willingness to learn and develop via training and induction. Experience Essential Relevant practical work experience related to the clinical areas of this post. Experience of working with children and / or young people Desirable Knowledge of Speech and Language Therapy work. Awareness of Safeguarding issues Skills Essential Good oral communication skills based on fluency of the English language - spoken and written. Excellent interpersonal skills, able to listen well. Literate in IT / Computer Skills and able to use a range of applications to support workload. Able to demonstrate empathy with clients, carers and families and colleagues. Able to organise work load and manage time Demonstrates the ability to reflect on practice with peers / clinical supervisor. Person Specification Qualifications and Training Essential NVQ III / BTech in SLT or Relevant prior experience in Speech and Language Therapy or Relevant practical work experience related to the job description and working with children. Demonstrates willingness to learn and develop via training and induction. Experience Essential Relevant practical work experience related to the clinical areas of this post. Experience of working with children and / or young people Desirable Knowledge of Speech and Language Therapy work. Awareness of Safeguarding issues Skills Essential Good oral communication skills based on fluency of the English language - spoken and written. Excellent interpersonal skills, able to listen well. Literate in IT / Computer Skills and able to use a range of applications to support workload. Able to demonstrate empathy with clients, carers and families and colleagues. Able to organise work load and manage time Demonstrates the ability to reflect on practice with peers / clinical supervisor. Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Employer details Employer name Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust Address Various locations across Bedford Borough Bedford MK42 7PN Employer's website https://www.cambscommunityservices.nhs.uk/careers (Opens in a new tab)