Job summary Are you looking for an opportunity to develop as a clinical lead in alternative-augmentativecommunication (AAC)? We know that having an AAC lead has promoted strong partnership workingwith regional AAC hubs in other parts of the UK. We're looking for an experienced therapist totake on this exciting role and champion AAC for children and families in East Sussex. The post-holder will have a small complex caseload of children with hi-tech AAC needs and be a champion for children and families using hi-tech AAC through supporting quality in AAC delivery,close partnership working, pathway review and in-service training. The post will be based inPolegate with some need to travel across the County. You will have experience of working as part of multi-agency teams with children with complexcommunication needs, including introducing lo and hi-tech AAC with children and families. Although based in East Sussex, we are employed by KCHFT which is an outstanding trust. We believe that the best health care is delivered by multi-disciplinary teams working together and inpartnership to provide seamless care. We have a strong commitment to training and development with robust supervision and shadowing opportunities across the service. Contact Suki Ahsam, Professional Lead SLT on 07795590271 or s.ahsamnhs.net, or Kathryn Burbidge, Operations Manager on 07766 294763 orkburbidgenhs.net for an informal conversation to know more about the role and what we canoffer you. Main duties of the job To be responsible for managing a small complex and specialist clinical caseload of hi-tech AAC users and to act as a specialist resource in this clinical area to the Children's Therapies teamand other professionals and agencies.To provide leadership within at least one special school.To support the work of SEND including completion of education, health and care needsassessments and occasional involvement in SENDIST appeal hearings as an expert witness.To be responsible for the supervision of identified staff within the team in collaboration with theHead of Service, Operational Manager and Team Co-ordinator.To contribute to the wider work of the team including initial assessment clinics, referral triageand Therapy One Point.To provide leadership to the Team in collaboration with other clinical Lead colleagues.To be responsible for ensuring the team provides a high quality and cost-effective clinical serviceto CYP and their families in collaboration with the Head of Service, Operational Manager andTeam Co-ordinator.To be responsible for ensuring that all team members are working to agreed care pathways.To report to and advise the Head of Service and/or Operational Manager of the teams'development within a specialist clinical area to ensure it is in line with the organisation'sbusiness objectives. Flexible working, part-time hours and job share applications will be considered. About us Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we've got a passion for delivering high standards of patient care and excellent services to improve the health of our communities. To do this we need outstanding people who share our values compassionate Aspirational Responsive Excellent We know a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion leads to better patient care and a happier workforce. We pride ourselves in being diverse and welcome applications from people with varied backgrounds, perspectives and experiences We ask for information about your protected characteristics on our application forms. This isn't visible to anyone involved with shortlisting or interviewing you, except when you choose to be considered under the guaranteed interview scheme due to disability. Short listers will see two ticks alongside your application to ensure they apply the principles of the scheme to your submission The data we collect helps us to ensure we are attracting diversity in our applicants, that all our colleagues have equitable access to career opportunities and supports us on our journey to being a Great Place to Work As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want you to be able to work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you. Talk to us about a flexible working arrangement that won't involve sacrificing time for personal interests or family commitments. We'll support you to work flexibly in a way that will suits us both See where you can go with KCHFTcareer pathways Date posted 03 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 7 Salary £46,148 to £52,809 a year per annum pro rata Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 846-6956332-UJ-B Job locations Chaucer Clinic Unit A4 Chaucer Business Park, Dittons Road Polegate BN26 6QH Job description Job responsibilities The job description and person specification gives you all the information you need about this role. Please look carefully at the criteria in the person specification and tell us what you have done that shows you meet this in your application. If you need an application form in an alternative format please let our recruitment team know. All information you supply on your application should, to the best of your knowledge, be true and accurate. Still have questions? The recruiting manager would love to hear from you, their contact details can be found in the job advert. We can get a lot of applications for some roles so to be in with the best chance of being shortlisted please make sure you apply as soon as possible. A vacancy may close early if there is a lot of interest in the job. At KCHFT we strongly encourage colleagues in clinical and non-clinical roles who have direct or social contact with patients to be fully vaccinated. In this way we will be doing all we can to ensure your safety and that of your colleagues and the patients we serve. Find out more about the community differencehere. Good luck We cant wait to meet you and welcome you to teamKCHFT, cometocommunity. Job description Job responsibilities The job description and person specification gives you all the information you need about this role. Please look carefully at the criteria in the person specification and tell us what you have done that shows you meet this in your application. If you need an application form in an alternative format please let our recruitment team know. All information you supply on your application should, to the best of your knowledge, be true and accurate. Still have questions? The recruiting manager would love to hear from you, their contact details can be found in the job advert. We can get a lot of applications for some roles so to be in with the best chance of being shortlisted please make sure you apply as soon as possible. A vacancy may close early if there is a lot of interest in the job. At KCHFT we strongly encourage colleagues in clinical and non-clinical roles who have direct or social contact with patients to be fully vaccinated. In this way we will be doing all we can to ensure your safety and that of your colleagues and the patients we serve. Find out more about the community differencehere. Good luck We cant wait to meet you and welcome you to teamKCHFT, cometocommunity. Person Specification Behaviours Essential Demonstrates commitment to quality of care and promotes high standards to consistently improve outcomes for children; Involves children and their families and other stakeholders in service developments; Consistently puts children and their families at the heart of clinical decision making; Values diversity and difference, operates with integrity and openness; Works across locality and service boundaries, looks for collective success, listens, involves, respects and learns from the contribution of others; Uses evidence to make improvements, seeks out innovation; Actively develops themselves and others by showing a commitment to learning and development; Self-awareness in terms of emotional intelligence, biases and personal triggers with cultural sensitivity and awareness; Demonstrates commitment to partnership working with a range of external organisations Qualifications Essential Recognised Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent ; Health and Care Professions Council - Licence to Practice; Registered Member of professional body Desirable Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses up to Master's degree equivalent relevant to specialist clinical area; Dysphagia qualification Experience Essential Minimum of 4 years paediatric experience; In depth and recent (in the last 2 years) experience in a specialist clinical area; Evidence of continued professional development in area of clinical specialism; Experience of providing line supervision and/or clinical supervision in area of clinical specialism; Evidence of innovative working and supporting change; Evidence of creating profession specific documentation (e.g. care pathways / leaflets); Experience of partnership working with internal and external stakeholders; Experience in patient engagement and audit; Experience of delivering training within clinical specialism to a range of audiences Desirable Experience of implementing service re-design within clinical area; Experience of running local Clinical excellence networks / journal groups); Experience of organising and running accredited or registered courses; Experience of attending policy events (professional, local or national); Experience of contributing to position papers at a national level; Experience of giving presentations and promoting the work of the service /organisation to relevant stakeholders Knowledge Essential Knowledge of evidence-based practice and ability to implement in clinical practice; Knowledge of current local and national policies relevant to health, social care and education; Knowledge & understanding of organisational governance issues & policies; Current knowledge of child/adult safeguarding policies and procedures Desirable Active membership of National CENs Skills and abilities Essential Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; Ability to motivate and lead staff; Ability to develop and maintain inter-agency and inter-disciplinary links; Ability to prioritise and balance workload; Ability to negotiate and influence; Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of both service users and staff; Ability to develop and maintain effective internal and external working relationships; Ability to make decisions and deal with conflict; Excellent presentation skills both written and verbal Desirable Ability to critically appraisal journals; Ability to provide constructive feedback to consultants and/or other professionals Personal attributes Essential Innovative & willingness to meet new challenges and pioneer new ways of working; Resilient, flexible, self-motivated & assertive; Ability to travel across a variety of sites in East Sussex within a timely manner Person Specification Behaviours Essential Demonstrates commitment to quality of care and promotes high standards to consistently improve outcomes for children; Involves children and their families and other stakeholders in service developments; Consistently puts children and their families at the heart of clinical decision making; Values diversity and difference, operates with integrity and openness; Works across locality and service boundaries, looks for collective success, listens, involves, respects and learns from the contribution of others; Uses evidence to make improvements, seeks out innovation; Actively develops themselves and others by showing a commitment to learning and development; Self-awareness in terms of emotional intelligence, biases and personal triggers with cultural sensitivity and awareness; Demonstrates commitment to partnership working with a range of external organisations Qualifications Essential Recognised Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent ; Health and Care Professions Council - Licence to Practice; Registered Member of professional body Desirable Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses up to Master's degree equivalent relevant to specialist clinical area; Dysphagia qualification Experience Essential Minimum of 4 years paediatric experience; In depth and recent (in the last 2 years) experience in a specialist clinical area; Evidence of continued professional development in area of clinical specialism; Experience of providing line supervision and/or clinical supervision in area of clinical specialism; Evidence of innovative working and supporting change; Evidence of creating profession specific documentation (e.g. care pathways / leaflets); Experience of partnership working with internal and external stakeholders; Experience in patient engagement and audit; Experience of delivering training within clinical specialism to a range of audiences Desirable Experience of implementing service re-design within clinical area; Experience of running local Clinical excellence networks / journal groups); Experience of organising and running accredited or registered courses; Experience of attending policy events (professional, local or national); Experience of contributing to position papers at a national level; Experience of giving presentations and promoting the work of the service /organisation to relevant stakeholders Knowledge Essential Knowledge of evidence-based practice and ability to implement in clinical practice; Knowledge of current local and national policies relevant to health, social care and education; Knowledge & understanding of organisational governance issues & policies; Current knowledge of child/adult safeguarding policies and procedures Desirable Active membership of National CENs Skills and abilities Essential Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; Ability to motivate and lead staff; Ability to develop and maintain inter-agency and inter-disciplinary links; Ability to prioritise and balance workload; Ability to negotiate and influence; Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of both service users and staff; Ability to develop and maintain effective internal and external working relationships; Ability to make decisions and deal with conflict; Excellent presentation skills both written and verbal Desirable Ability to critically appraisal journals; Ability to provide constructive feedback to consultants and/or other professionals Personal attributes Essential Innovative & willingness to meet new challenges and pioneer new ways of working; Resilient, flexible, self-motivated & assertive; Ability to travel across a variety of sites in East Sussex within a timely manner 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). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). 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). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust Address Chaucer Clinic Unit A4 Chaucer Business Park, Dittons Road Polegate BN26 6QH Employer's website https://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)