ALD Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

The Milton Keynes Speech and Language Therapy Team is already well established within the integrated Social Care “Working Age Adults Team” and we have an exciting new post to join our MK Adult Learning Disability, Autism and Mental Health Service. There is a dedicated Speech and Language Therapy Team Leader, 2 B6 SLTs and an experienced SLT assistant. The team is based with other social care colleagues in Milton Keynes City Council offices. You will working alongside Clinical Psychologists, LD Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Social Workers, Speech and Language Therapists and a range of Assistants who support the needs of these Young People (YP) and Adults.

You will be able to demonstrate:

• your passion and enthusiasm to make a positive difference and deliver exemplary, client-focussed care for all our adults and their families/carers.
• Confidence to work in a range of settings, including post 16 provision, Milton Keynes College, social care day services and Service User homes
• your experience of delivering a range of evidence based interventions to this client group
• confidence in providing a range of training courses to carers and professionals
• You will have excellent time management and interpersonal communication skills

Access to own transport is essential as you will be travelling around the locality as part of your job role

You will play a key role in supporting YP to transition into further education provision from our specialist post 16+ provision within MK. MK College is the Further Education provision and has a range of services: Learning Support dept, Specialist day college provision for Adults with Autism and “No Limits” provision for YP with learning disability. In addition, you will work alongside another SLT Colleague to provide assessment and advice for adults known to the social care team with mental health needs.

Post- Graduate dysphagia experience is preferable for this post but not essential as training and support can be provided to develop practice in this specialist field, should this be an area you wish to develop.

You will receive excellent mentoring support from the Team Leader and peer supervision to continue to develop your clinical knowledge and skills and will be able to use your creative thinking to contribute towards service development.

The Trust and MK City Council have extensive employee benefits available and Milton Keynes is a growing and vibrant city with easy access to the M1 and superb facilities in terms of everyday living and leisure activities.

In return, we expect an independent practitioner with experience of working with young people /adults with learning disabilities and Autism. You will have RCSLT membership and HCPC registration.

All staff benefit from remote working facilities and a blend of office and home working.

MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB

Assessment, treatment and management of service users’ speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) associated with Learning Disability , Autism and Mental Health in a range of settings: MK College provisions, special school post 16+ provision and social care settings

Delivery of training to providers, employers and professionals on a range of topics related to SLCN

Assessment, treatment and management of dysphagia in service users with a learning disability ( desirable only)

PRINCIPAL DUTIES

• To independently provide assessment, diagnosis and appropriate intervention for service users with speech, language and communication needs associated with learning disability, Autism and mental health conditions in a variety of settings: education provision, Service-User’s home, in-patient MH provision, social care day provision, community setting
• Support the smooth transition of young people into MK College provisions, promoting functional communication skills and the 4 pillars of Preparing for Adulthood
• To deliver training to professionals on a range of topics related to communication
• To provide advice and support to parents, carers, non-specialists, and other professionals working with adults in a range of settings including Health and social care, education and employment Settings.
• To work effectively and in partnership with the broader social care and health multidisciplinary team
• To work within the “MK SLT Whole System Approach to clinical effectiveness” by initiating and participating in service development
• To undertake other duties, as requested by the line manager to ensure the efficient, effective running of the SLT Service

CLINICAL DUTIES

• To assess, develop and implement effective interventions that take account of functional communication skill progression and the 4 pillars of Preparing for Adulthood
• To provide advice to others regarding the management and care of service users
• To participate in multi-disciplinary assessment
• To provide timely contributions to EHC plan annual reviews and person-centred goal setting
• To ensure service users/parents/carers/providers/social care are involved in the planning and prioritisation of their care plans
• To participate in multi-disciplinary planning of intervention/management to meet service user’s identified goals
• To use care pathways to guide intervention, evaluate outcomes and evolving evidence base
• To produce reports regarding service user’s needs and summarise proposed care plans eg EHC plans, positive behaviour support plans
• To provide support/resources to the social care team so they are able to fully engage service users with Mental Capacity Act assessments, and work with social care team with regard to safeguarding, best interest meetings, Court of Protection, Deprivation of Liberty (Liberty Protection Safeguards) and Mental Health Act.
• To assess and manage dysphagia needs in service users with a learning disability ( desirable)
• To adapt practice to meet individual service users circumstances, including due regard for cultural and linguistic differences (equality and diversity issues)
• To demonstrate use of evidence-based practice
• To seek second opinions on case management from senior colleagues
• Support the work of the SLTAP and supervision needs