Job summaryWe wish to recruit a motivated and passionate Highly Specialist Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) with a specific interest in Autism/Social communication difficulties. This Therapist will work as part of our Early Years SLT team to complete initial assessments, deliver individual and group therapy and will also work as part of the multidisciplinary Autism assessment clinic and Pre school Autism Diagnostic pathway. This therapist will be part of a friendly and supportive team that work together from a central base with a strong commitment to maintaining staff health and well being.Main duties of the jobTo provide a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapy assessment to children predominantly aged 0 -5yrs with speech, language and communication needs that may be associated with Complex Social Communication Difficulties/ASD as part of the Early Years Triage initial assessment service.To contribute to the work of the Gateshead Multidisciplinary Autism assessment clinic and Pre School Autism Diagnostic Pathway to provide assessment, diagnosis, opinion and evaluation of a complex nature in an area of specialism relating to Complex Social Communication/Autism.To deliver individual/group therapy interventions as part of the Early Years SLT service to children with Complex Social Communication Difficulties/Autism The post holder will provide second opinions and clinical supervision to SLTs across the service in the specialist area of Complex Social Communication/ASD as part of the diagnostic process.This vacancy is part of our 'refer a friend' scheme, this means if a friend who currently works for us has told you about this vacancy you could both receive a cash payment. The full scheme details are included with the additional documents for this role.About usBased in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead.Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients.We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region.Our values should be the 'golden thread' which runs through everything we do - they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronymICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement.We have a number of staff networks including the Global Ethnic Majority (GEM) network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women's Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our Armed Forces network is one of our emerging networks.The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our 'Balance' programme balancegateshead.com to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.Job descriptionJob responsibilitiesThis post is as a senior Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) reporting to the SLT Clinical Lead; Special Needs Team in the Childrens Speech and Language Department.To provide a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapy assessment to children predominantly aged 0 -5yrs with speech, language and communication needs that may be associated with Complex Social Communication Difficulties/ASD as part of the Early Years Triage initial assessment service.To contribute to the work of the Gateshead Multidisciplinary Autism assessment clinic and Pre School Autism Diagnostic Pathway to provide assessment, diagnosis, opinion and evaluation of a complex nature in an area of specialism relating to Complex Social Communication/Autism.To deliver individual/group therapy interventions as part of the Early Years SLT service to children with Complex Social Communication Difficulties/Autism To work in conjunction with Gateshead Early Education teams e.g. Portage to deliver joint advice, assessment and interventions to children with Complex Social Communication Difficulties/Autism.To work in close collaboration with the Trust Multidisciplinary Team and other outside agencies, especially Education staff from the Local Authority and staff in private and voluntary Pre-school settings in order to provide an integrated approach to each childs individual needs.To provide training on specific topics relating to the speech, language and communication needs associated with ASD to a range of other professionals and parents/carers.To share substantial experience in the area of specialism, providing an experienced and enthusiastic advanced resource for the team taking a developmental and operational lead in specialist areas of Complex Social Communication/ASD.The post holder will provide second opinions and clinical supervision to SLTs across the service in the specialist area of Complex Social Communication/ASD as part of the diagnostic process.Using advanced knowledge to assess and treat cases in a holistic way, including a multi-agency and patient focused approach to care, and to motivate others to work in a similar way.The post holder is expected to develop professionally in order to lead and develop, the service, research and audit, Health and Safety, risk Management To ensure the smooth and efficient running of the service within the available resources To assist with day to day management of team, and deputise for the SLT Clinical Lead as required.To autonomously manage a specialist caseload assessing, diagnosing, treating and discharging clients according to the best possible evidence and focusing on all aspects of the communication process.To make recommendation on specialist therapy approaches relating to specific client groups e.g. symbol based systems, Intensive Interaction, supporting and advising others in using these approaches.To act as part of a team and independently, to liaise and work closely with Speech and Language Therapists, clients, carers and other professionals to disseminate and share complex diagnostic/therapeutic information (oral and written) according to service expectations and to ensure a holistic and integrated approach to client care.To work with all appropriate agencies and colleagues; when necessary as part of a multi-disciplinary team or as an integral member of classroom staff.To act as an expert witness at Special Educational Needs Tribunals as required.To be involved in safeguarding cases as required.To provide SLT training packages to parents/carers and other professionals.To clinically educate Speech and Language Therapy students and provide information to their training establishments on their clinical competencies.To provide advice and support to less experienced Speech and Language Therapists and SLT Assistants.To provide observation, training and shadowing with the Department and for other Professionals.Person SpecificationQualificationsEssentialDegree or equivalent in Speech and Language TherapyProfessional registration with HCPCEvidence of post graduate training/CPD in SLCN in children with additional needs, particularly relating to ASDDesirableExperience of working with children with eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties associated with ASDExperience and current licence to deliver specific parent programmes e.g. EarlyBird, HanenADOS trained and experience of administering the assessment toolClinical ExperienceEssentialExtensive and wide ranging experience of working with SLC difficulties in children with social communication/ASDExperience of working as part of a Multidisciplinary/ Inter-agency assessment TeamExtensive Experience of working with children age 0-5yrsExperience of planning, co-ordinating and supervising the work of othersAdvanced level specialist skills e.g. undertaking comprehensive assessment, making and receiving referrals, requesting and acting upon diagnostic testsExperience of Communicating delicate, complex and sensitive information at senior levelKnowledge and experience in using a wide range of assessment and interventions strategies for SLCN associated with complex social communication/ASDDisclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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 SponsorshipApplications 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 RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).Employer detailsEmployer nameGateshead Health NHS Foundation TrustAddressBensham HospitalFontwell Drive, BenshamGatesheadNE8 4YLEmployer's websitehttps://www.qegateshead.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)