We are looking for our new Head of Speech and Language Therapy to lead and develop our SaLT team within our specialist setting, demonstrating inspirational leadership and creativity.
Applicants should be suitably qualified and experienced and, as part of the leadership team, be willing to actively contribute to the development of our holistic provision.
Main duties of the job
This is a post within our leadership team and we are looking for someone who can:
1. Promote speech and language therapy within the school and beyond, sharing your passion for intervention and evidence-based practice.
2. Lead strategic planning meetings with the Deputy Head of SaLT, shaping the therapy department's approach.
3. Supervise the work of junior therapists, assistants, SaLT students, and volunteers, providing managerial guidance and support.
4. Co-ordinate and encourage the running of projects which contribute to evidence base.
5. Be accountable for the delivery of SaLT for students within the school, college, and residential Post 19 provision.
6. Ensure the service is effective, well-coordinated, and collaborative to provide integrated support for students on an individualised basis.
7. Provide professional leadership and management to ensure the delivery of high-quality speech and language therapy; effective use of resources; appropriate standards of learning and achievement.
8. Have knowledge of SEND and keep knowledge and skills up-to-date, being self-critical and receptive to feedback.
9. Model high standards in work and conduct and always act with honesty and integrity.
10. Make an active contribution towards whole school aims, policies, and priorities and to the overall education and achievement of all students.
About us
St. Catherine's is a small national charity working with children and young people with severe and lifelong speech, language, and communication needs and associated difficulties.
Based in Ventnor on the Isle of Wight, we are a specialist school, college, and Post 19 (19-25) provider.
We offer residential and day placements to children and young people, and our holistic approach ensures every young person has access to high-quality therapy, learning, and personal development.
St. Catherine's is a unique place to work; our supportive and collaborative approach ensures you will enjoy coming to work and making a difference to our young people.
We encourage you to visit our website and meet our staff and students.
Could you be our new head of our SaLT specialism?
Job responsibilities
This is a role within the Senior Leadership Team.
The post holder will provide professional leadership and management to ensure the delivery of high-quality speech and language therapy, the effective use of resources, and appropriate standards of learning and achievement for students. The post holder will be expected to have strong knowledge of SEND and to keep their knowledge and skills up-to-date, being self-critical and receptive to feedback. The post holder will have to forge positive professional relationships and work with other therapists, professionals, partner organisations, and parents/carers in the best interests of students.
The post holder will be accountable for achieving the highest possible standards in work and conduct and will be expected to act with honesty and integrity at all times.
The vision and values of the school must be actively followed and embodied. The post holder will be expected to make an active contribution towards whole school aims, policies, and priorities and to the overall education and achievement of all students.
1. Be responsible for the operational leadership, clinical governance, management, and development of the Speech & Language Therapy (SaLT) Service.
2. Support the Principal and Trustees in establishing a vision for the future.
3. Demonstrate inspirational leadership and creativity.
4. Play a key role in the school improvement planning process, taking account of the agreed priorities of the organisation and how these link with national and local initiatives.
5. Contribute to the identification of key areas of strength and weakness.
6. Work to a high standard in developing and implementing agreed policies, priorities, and expectations, and set a good example to other colleagues.
7. Promote a culture of teamwork, in which views of all members of our organisation's community are valued.
8. Contribute to the self-evaluation of the school incorporating the college.
9. Ensure that individualised programmes for students are delivered effectively and efficiently to maximise learning and progress.
10. Maintain and develop systems which record and analyse the outcomes of the SaLT team to demonstrate the effectiveness of the service in providing appropriate interventions and evaluating progress, writing reports and action plans as appropriate.
11. Ensure speech & language therapy services are embedded fully within everyday teaching and learning and also support students' learning and engagement in residential time and in the wider community.
12. Ensure that the service offers good value for money and impacts positively on outcomes.
13. Undertake specialised therapeutic assessment, clinical diagnosis, treatment plans, and individualised treatment programmes for students and work alongside external partners to maximise students' learning, providing advice to others as appropriate.
14. Work with a specified caseload (caseload to be decided).
15. Provide effective leadership and line management for the Speech & Language Therapy team, delegating responsibilities as appropriate and in line with therapists' grades.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Degree in Speech and Language Therapy.
* Clinical expertise at a specialist level in relevant clinical fields.
* Registered with HCPC and RCSLT.
* Experience of working with students with complex speech, language, and communication needs and associated conditions.
* Substantial knowledge and skill in using and assessing total communication environments.
* Sound knowledge of effective teaching methods and techniques for communication and interaction.
* Sound knowledge of behaviour management techniques.
* Excellent organisational and people management skills.
Experience
* Experience of working with children and young people with complex speech, language, and communication needs and associated conditions.
* Experience of multi-disciplinary, multi-agency working.
* Experience of effective teaching methods and techniques for communication and interaction.
* Experience of working in a special school setting across a wide age range.
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.
£53,755 to £60,504 a year. Potential Relocation contribution.
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