[240327C] Speech and Language Therapist

The Springfields Academy, Reach South Academy Trust is seeking to appoint a Speech and Language Therapist to join the School.

Post: Speech and Language Therapist

Location: The Springfields Academy (North Site), Curzon Street, Calne, Wiltshire, SN11 0DS

FTE Salary Range: NJC Grade J, Point 21 – 23, £34,834 - £36,648 per annum pro-rata

Contract Type: Permanent, full-time, term-time only (39 weeks per year)

Contract Hours: 37 hours per week; Monday to Friday

About the role

The post of Speech and Language Therapist has arisen due to the growth of our in-house Therapy team in response in an increase in the complexity of pupil need.

The role of Speech and Language Therapist is an exciting role working within our multi- disciplinary Therapy Team in close collaboration with our existing SALT. The core purpose of the role is to provide expertise, advice and intervention for a varied communication caseload, working both discreetly and embedded within the educational environment across the academy.

It is a unique opportunity for the successful candidate to work with a range of pupils with varied communication profiles alongside education, therapy and care staff to embed communication interventions in the daily pupil experience. This holistic therapeutic approach will ensure opportunities to help pupils develop the communication skills for a ‘safe, independent life’.

The role requires the successful candidate to have an understanding/commitment to understanding the theories of autism and their impact on communication for our pupils. They will have knowledge of how communication interventions can be applied in practice to meet individual need; in addition to creativity, flexibility, resilience and a commitment to meeting the communication needs of our pupils through innovative provision.

The Springfields Academy is a Reach South Academy for young people aged 4-19 with autism, we are proud to hold the NAS Advanced specialist award and to be recognised as an Ofsted good school. We have 210 pupils attending our provision growing to 250 pupils in September 2024. Our goal is to build safe independent lives for autistic young people through support, understanding and enablement.

Part of the excitement of teaching at Springfields is the broad range of individuals that you will care for. A key aspect of working at Springfields is taking the time to get to know pupils and their individual needs, and given their complexity, being able to create a safe, stimulating and supportive learning environment is crucial.

You will be joining a happy, hardworking and well-established team. You will also work in partnership with our multi-disciplinary therapy team as part of our therapy first culture.

The Person

We are looking for someone with:

• A passion for making communication accessible for the autistic learner.
• A child-centred practitioner who responds to the individual needs of each child.
• A Speech and Language Therapist with good knowledge and understanding of autism and social communication needs and appropriate communication strategies to support pupils with this need.
• A creative and flexible therapeutic approach that builds success through challenge, personalisation and innovation.
• The confidence and skills to build positive relationships that help to break down barriers and build self-esteem.
• A commitment to enabling all our pupils to overcome their challenges and achieve their potential.
• Applications from newly qualified therapists will be considered.

About the School

The Springfields Academy is an academy based in Calne.  We aspire to build safe independent lives for autistic young people through support, understanding and enablement. Additionally, we hold the National Autistic Society Advanced specialist award and are recognised as an Ofsted good school.

We are an acknowledged centre of excellence for Autism; we are highly reflective in our practices, and are continually working to improve our provision and practices. We provide a personalised curriculum journey that enables leaners with a diagnosis of autism to develop skills in areas of need and to overcome their barriers to learning. The drive to build ‘safe Independent lives’ shapes this curriculum and everything else that we do. The Academy has a PAN of 210, rising to 250 September 2024.

About the Trust

Reach South is a young and developing Trust which operates across the South West of England with the aim of delivering all through 3-19 education.  We operate 17 academies in Plymouth, Bournemouth, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.  We are building this Trust on a clear set of values, behaviours and curriculum principles. At the heart of those values and principles is a belief in our young people and a determination to support them to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to become the successful citizens for today and all of their tomorrows.

Next Steps

If you think this role may be for you and want to be involved at this exciting time in our development and have any questions about the position, please get in touch by calling the Recruitment team on 07759365064 or emailing us at recruitment@reachsouth.org.

Closing date: for applications is Sunday 12th May 2024

Interview Date:  Interviews are provisionally booked for the week commencing 20th May 2024

To apply for this opportunity, please complete our online application form at: https://mynewterm.com/jobs/145198/EDV-2024-SA-97530.

We reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date. Therefore, an early application is strongly advised.

Opportunities and Benefits 

We offer a competitive salary plus LGPS pension, great career progression and development opportunities, access to our Employee Assistance Programme with many other benefits. 

We’re proud of how we support our staff in order that you have high levels of job satisfaction, are aware of the difference you are making for the children and families you work with and can see your contribution towards our community. There are regular opportunities for professional development and training, and a wider community of staff to network with within Reach South Multi Academy Trust. You will have the chance to visit other local schools, work alongside a range of outside professionals and take part in a variety of e-learning and face-to-face training.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Each post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Reach South Academy Trust has an Equal Opportunities Policy for selection and recruitment. Applicants are requested to complete the Equal Opportunities Monitoring section of the application form before submitting.