Therapy Assistant

Speech & Language and Occupational Therapy Team
Full-time Salary – £26,713.05 to £28,067.50 per annum, dependent on qualifications & experience

 Part Time Position – 22.5 hours per week. Based at Head Office in Dover, Kent

 Channels & Choices is an award winning, dynamic company specialising in children’s residential care, Fostering and Education based in South East Kent. OFSTED judge our services as ‘Outstanding’

Channels and Choices specialise in working with children who have experienced trauma, most will have an attachment disorder.  We create a secure base for all the children in our care and we focus on achieving seamless transitions so that children can be part of a loving and nurturing family.

We are currently looking to recruit a Therapy Assistant who will be required to provide support to the Speech & Language Therapist (SaLT) and the Occupational Therapist (OT) by facilitating the delivery of therapeutic interventions to the children, staff and foster carers within the Community in order to promote the independence and communication for the young people in our care.

Providing direct case work under the supervision of the SaLT and OT, assisting with the service development, some administrative tasks and linking with internal and external partners.

The post is permanent, part-time position (22.5 hours per week 9am – 5pm, across 3 days). We offer a competitive salary and further benefits including a loyalty scheme which rewards you with extra annual leave following 2 years of service and private medical care.

The Therapy department provide support to children aged 2-18 years of age, in residential care, fostering and the Sallygate school, leading to a varied and rewarding role.

These are exciting times as Channels & Choices continues to expand and develop its Services and we are looking for someone to join our dynamic multi-disciplinary staff team who has a passion for promoting outstanding outcomes for children in care.

Job Description

• To work under the guidance of a qualified Speech and Language Therapist and/or Occupational Therapist and in line with professional standards and codes of conduct stipulated in RCOT and RCSLT.
• To work in line with the therapy assistant AHP Framework.
• Carry out observations and universal interventions under the guidance of SaLT and OT to support the assessment process for both these disciplines.
• To deliver SaLT and OT program’s and interventions to children across the community as instructed by the SaLT/OT
• Support professionals within the community on implementing universal strategies with children in order to facilitate SaLT and OT work and help build adult/child attachments.
• To enhance the knowledge and skills of adults with the Channels and Choices community by facilitating workshops and twilight sessions.
• To attend, participate and provide feedback in any relevant professionals or multi-agency meetings.
• To be part of regular discussions and reviews of children’s care and support with other members of the community.
• Complete thorough written recordings of observations and interventions on the relevant recording systems such as Charms.
• Support with administrative tasks for example: minute taking, collating screening measures and relevant documentation, and distributing assessment reports.
• Create visual resources and social stories to be used with children across the community, with oversight from the speech and language therapists.
• Provide regular updates to foster carers or residential staff regarding the interventions being provided and the child’s engagement within these.
• Make effective use of supervision, support, training and guidance.
• To participate in the audit process to evidence good practice, and compliance as part of Information Governance and GDPR.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of other relevant legislation for children’s social care including safeguarding policies and procedures and maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Give due regard and consideration to issues of racial, religious, cultural and sexual orientation across all work within Channels and Choices.
• Any other duties that are deemed relevant and appropriate to your role as specified by the therapy team manager.

Person Specification

Therapy Assistant

Speech & Language and Occupational Therapy Team