Speech & Language Therapist

Channels & Choices is an award winning, dynamic company specialising in Therapeutic childcare services including residential care, Fostering and Education, based in Southeast Kent. OFSTED judge 100% of our services as ‘Good’ and ‘Outstanding’.

Channels and Choices specialise in working with children who have experienced trauma at an early age.  We create a secure base for all the children in our care and we focus on achieving seamless transitions so that children can achieve their full potential. Our main aim if for children to live successfully as part of a loving and nurturing family.

These are exciting times as Channels & Choices continues to expand and develop and we currently have an opportunity for experienced, innovative and enthusiastic Occupational Therapist to join our multi-disciplinary Therapy Team within Channels & Choices Therapeutic Community.

The post is for a full time or part time( 22.5+ hours) permanent Speech & Language Therapist, based at our Head Office at Kearsney Manor Kent. We offer a competitive salary range of £35,391-£44,108 per annum per annum based on skills and experience. Further benefits include 36 days paid annual leave per year and a loyalty scheme which rewards you with extra annual leave following 2 years of service.

Additional Perks, Rewards and Benefits

• Private Optical, Dental and Audiological cover
• Private Medical care
• Loyalty scheme which rewards you with extra annual leave following 2 years of service, up to 5 extra days.
• Long service awards for 5-, 10- and 15-years’ service
• Regular team building days, parties, meals and more!
• Complimentary health and wellbeing support with our employee’s assistance programme
• Full Training Package including a 2 week comprehensive Induction Programme

Key Responsibilities

• Work as part of a therapeutic community, working within a multi-disciplinary therapy team, to continue to develop the provision within the organisation
• Provide a comprehensive, initial assessment which will form part of a wider assessment, identifying the needs of the child informing appropriate interventions
• Work in partnership with colleagues from across the community by providing direct advice and support to children, residential staff and foster carers
• Provide comprehensive, professional and accurate reports, written and verbal for internal and external colleagues
• To devise, monitor, supervise and evaluate the implementations of intervention programmes
• To maintain up to date records of all child contact in line with professional standards
• To provide specialist education and training to staff and carers across the community
• Contribute to research into the provision of treatments for children
• Participate and provide feedback for meetings
• Effective use of supervision, support, training and guidance

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Relevant degree level qualification to practice Speech & Language
• Registered with RCSLT

• Registered with HCPC

Experience

• Experience of completing assessments and writing comprehensive reports
• Experience of delivering interventions to children & young people
• Experience in providing consultation and guidance to other professionals and non-professional groups

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work effectively on own initiative as well as within a team
• Ability to build relationships and promote change (remove??)
• Computer literate for report and assessment writing
• Ability to use supervision effectively to process and reflect on the support provided
• Ability to identify and provide appropriate means of support to carers and staff exposed to distressing situations and challenging behaviour

Knowledge

• Good understanding of child development
• Knowledge and skills of theories, practice, and research in the field of Speech & Language Therapy
• Understanding of Child Protection & Safeguarding
• Knowledge of the mental health needs of children and adolescents

Personal Qualities  

• Commitment to continued professional and personal development
• Commitment to equal opportunities and valuing diversity
• Demonstrate a commitment to supervision and reflective practice
• Warm, engaging and problem solving approach

Additional

• Driver with use of own car

Channels and Choices are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the young people in our care. Staff are all required to adhere to the organisation’s Safeguarding Policies and Procedures. This post will be subject to a clear Enhanced DBS Disclosure, an employment background check, satisfactory references & verification of a right to work in the UK. As part of our commitment to Safer Recruitment, CV’s cannot be considered without a completed application form.

Channels & Choices are committed to ensuring that we are always recruiting, retaining, and promoting a diverse mix of colleagues who are representative of the diversity in our local community. We actively celebrate our staff’s different abilities, sexual orientation, ethnicity, faith, and gender. Everyone is welcome to apply for a job with Channels & Choices and our staff are supported in their development at all stages in their journey with us.

All applicants are required to complete an application form which can be found under the careers section on our website – www.channelsandchoices.co.uk

If you would like more information or have any questions, please contact a member of our HR team on 01304361888.

Closing date – 31^st August 2024