Therapy Assistant

Speech & Language and Occupational Therapy Team 

Salary – £21,730 – £23,177 per annum, dependent on qualifications & experience

Full Time Position –  37.5 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 2 Therapy Assistants 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 on 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, full time (37.5 hours per week 9am – 5pm). We offer a competitive salary and 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.

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

• Work as part of a community therapy team providing support and guidance to children, foster carers, school staff and residential teams
• Working in partnership with colleagues from across the community to develop a therapeutic understanding by providing direct advice and support to children.
• To provide therapeutic interventions to children, staff and carers as instructed by the SaLT/OT
• Supporting professionals within the community on how to communicate and develop strategies with children in order to reduce challenging behaviours and help build adult/child attachments;
• Contribute to professional, comprehensive and regular reports for internal and external colleagues;
• Making effective use of supervision, support, training and guidance;
• Provide therapeutic interventions giving due regard and consideration to issues of racial, religious, cultural and sexual orientation
• To be part of regular discussions and reviews of children’s care and support with other members of the community
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures
• Provide input into multi agency consultations, reports and assessments as required
• Attend any relevant meetings as required
• Such other duties that may be deemed appropriate

We have a strong commitment to staff development and there will be considerable opportunities for internal and external training and for sharing good practice within the community.

Person Specification

Qualifications (Essential)

• English and Maths qualification C or above or equivalent
• Good ICT skills

Qualifications (Desirable)

• Further education in areas such as child development

Experience (Essential)

• Experience of working with SEMH, trauma, sensory processing, social communication, ADHD and learning difficulties

Experience (Desirable)

• Working with children in care

Skills and Abilities (Essential)

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and computer literate
• Ability to exercise initiative and work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to be resilient, flexible and adaptable and to respond to the changing or varying requirements of the role
• Ability to collaborate with others, build relationships and promote change
• Ability to use the supervision process effectively

Skills and Abilities (Desirable)

• Ability to deliver interventions and learning activities on a 1:1 or small group basis
• Ability to be resourceful and imaginative, to plan and design activities

Knowledge (Essential)

• Good understanding of child development
• Understanding of Child Protection & Safeguarding and knowledge of the mental health needs of children and adolescents

Knowledge (Desirable)

• Working knowledge of trauma informed practice

Personal Qualities (Essential)

• 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 proactive approach to work

Additional (Essential)

• Driver with own use of 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.