Band 5 Speech & Language Therapist (Maternity Leave Cover)
Required for: January 2025
Banding: Band 5
Hours: 2.5 days per week, 8am – 5pm. Paid school holidays.
Condition of employment: One Year Maternity Leave Cover – Fixed Term Contract January 2025 until January 2026. There may be potential to convert to a permanent contract after one year.
“Working as a Speech and Language Therapist in Gesher doesn’t feel like work. The children and staff are incredible and I have not gone one day without smiling or laughing. The opportunities for clinical and personal development are excellent and I feel lucky to have been able to attend so much external and internal training. I have never felt such job satisfaction”. Gesher School Speech and Language Therapist.
Gesher School is a twice Ofsted Outstanding independent all-through school providing a specialist, meaningful and functional learning environment for young people with mild to moderate special educational needs. This includes Autism, ADHD, Dyspraxia, Down’s Syndrome and MLD.
We are looking for an enthusiastic, creative, and passionate Speech and Language Therapist to join our Therapy team at Gesher School.
At Gesher school, Speech and Language Therapy is integrated throughout the school week for all students, following a trans-disciplinary and holistic therapeutic approach.
The team is currently comprised of:
- 3 Speech & Language Therapists
- 3 Occupational Therapists
- 1 Dramatherapist
- 1 Art Psychotherapist
- Therapy Assistant
- Family Support Worker
You will work in close partnership with your fellow Therapists, the SENDCO Team, and Teaching and Support staff and families/carers to help our children reach their full potential and support them in accessing all areas of the curriculum. The Therapy team at Gesher work onsite on a full-time basis, and utilise a three tiered approach: Universal (for all), Targeted (for small groups), and Specialist (for individuals). The role features relevant training, support and supervision alongside paid school holidays, dedicated administrative time and enhanced CPD opportunities. You will be a fully integrated and integral member of the whole school team.
The successful Therapist will:
- Plan, deliver and evaluate 1:1, paired and group evidence-based therapy interventions; to support the development of speech, language and communication needs in order to enable children’s learning, engagement and relationships.
- Complete comprehensive assessments, when required, to determine students’ individual speech and language therapy needs.
- Deliver speech and language therapy recommendations on students Educational Healthcare Plans (EHCP) and contribute to the Annual Review/ EHCP process.
- Develop effective working relationships with school staff and liaise regularly regarding implementation of programmes, provision of in class support and suggest advice and strategies.
- Plan and deliver staff training and parent workshops to support the ongoing development of speech and language therapy skills.
- Be able to work independently, and as part of a team, under the supervision of a senior Speech and Language Therapist.
We offer fantastic opportunities to develop your skills as a practitioner within an innovative, supportive and collaborative team environment. Some of our benefits include:
- Regular clinical supervision and the support of an onsite therapy team
- Half day admin day which can be taken at home
- Paid half-day Friday closure in the winter months
- 12 weeks of paid holidays plus (pro rata) plus paid extra Jewish holidays throughout the year
- Additional days off awarded following long service
- Monthly well-being events and inset days
- Regular social opportunities
You will join a supportive staff team where teamwork, flexibility and a positive personality are essential attributes.
To be successful you must have the following:
- Degree in Speech and Language Therapy.
- Registered member of HCPC (Health Care Professions Council) or registration in process.
- Experience working as a paediatric Therapist, and/or experience working in a school setting (desirable but not essential).
- An understanding of speech and language therapy processes/interventions in a school setting (desirable but not essential).
- Excellent communication, organisation and time management skills.
- A willingness to become involved in all aspects of school life and culture, e.g. clubs, school festivals and social events, parent meetings etc.
- The ability to work well as part of a collaborative team
- A right to work in the UK
See us in action here:
https://vimeo.com/407682934/a9a6af1bc8
For more information relating to the above role, or to apply, please contact Victoria Rutter, Head of Therapies 0207 884 5102 or email [email protected]
