Clinical Lead for Speech and Language Therapy, Orchard Hill College – Uxbridge or Kingston

Salary:    Total salary package of up to FTE £54,656 per annum

Location: Uxbridge, UB8, or Kingston KT3 3HY, with travel to other sites

Hours:    36 hours per week, full time (This includes 40 days holiday, and we are happy to consider term time only or term time plus working patterns, or part time, as part of our flexible working offer)

We are looking for professionals who want to champion the voice and rights of people with learning disabilities and Autistic people to live their best lives and reach their own personal potential in all areas of life. 

Orchard Hill College is an Outstanding Specialist College (Ofsted, November 2019) offering life-changing learning opportunities to young people and adults with a range of special education needs and/or disabilities. We have eight vibrant community-based College Centres across London and Surrey where committed, specialist teams deliver a range of programmes to meet the needs of over 400 students.

Students who study with us have a wide range of needs including profound and multiple learning disabilities, communication and behavioural difficulties and specific medical needs. All students are individuals, and their learning programmes are designed to support and empower them to achieve their aspirations and goals, whilst developing skills to become more independent members of their community.

Orchard Hill College is a truly unique and rewarding place to work with inspirational students and a dynamic and supportive staff team.

The College is also an Academy sponsor and established Orchard Hill College Academy Trust in 2013, which is home to 15 special schools. Together Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust provide for over 1500 pupils and students with SEN across London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire. To find out more about Orchard Hill College please visit https://orchardhill.ac.uk/.

The Speech & Language Therapy Team are passionate about:

• Working collaboratively with curriculum staff to provide a total communication environment throughout the student’s day
• Ensuring all students can communicate to their potential through the assessment and provision of appropriate AAC
• Creating capable and enabling environments within a multi-disciplinary Positive Behaviour Support framework
• Supporting the whole college with hearing the student voice, accessible information, self-advocacy and the promotion of every student’s human rights
• Ensuring all students are able to eat and drink safely
• Working collaboratively and creatively with the rest of the Integrated Services team, which comprises Occupational Therapy, Creative Arts therapists, Nursing, Physiotherapy and Positive behaviour support leads.

We are looking for a Speech & Language Therapy Clinical Lead to manage the Speech & Language Therapy service of therapists and assistants across the college and sit on the leadership team of the Integrated Services team, with potential impact at both a strategic and operational level. 

As a family friendly employer, we are happy to consider applications for part time working including term time, or job shares.

We can offer you:

• Line management and clinical supervision
• Clinical leads within each discipline to support your clinical development alongside opportunities for peer supervision and peer support.
• A programme of continuing professional development
• A supportive team and opportunities to work creatively in a transdisciplinary way with occupational therapists, physiotherapists, arts therapies, nurses, speech and language therapists, therapy assistants and health care assistants.
• A wide range of clinical experience, including Low & High tech AAC; establishing capable environments; Eating and Drinking; supporting students into work; PMLD students; supporting Functional Communication development in students who may display behaviours of concern. 
• 40 days annual leave for full time staff
• Local Government Pension
• Being in a team who are implementing Positive Behaviour Support and working with the PBS Alliance schools and colleges networks
• Workplace research and clinical development



Please see the attached job description and person specification for full details on the role and the skills, experience and knowledge we are looking for.

Orchard Hill College is part of Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust, an established family of specialist academies and college centres that provide for over 1500 pupils and students with a wide range of learning abilities and additional needs. To find out more about us, and what makes us a special place to work please visit https://www.ohcat.org/work-for-us/.

For an informal discussion about the role, candidates are invited to contact Lindsay Walker, Acting Clinical Lead for Speech and Language Therapy, via email at LWalker2@orchardhill.ac.uk. Alternatively, you can also contact Jane Johnson, Head of Integrated Services via email at JJohnson@orchardhill.ac.uk.

To apply for the role please use the quick apply option to submit an application. If you have any queries, please contact jobs@orchardhill.ac.uk.

Your application form will be scored according to each of the requirements laid out in the person specification for this role. Please demonstrate in your statement how your experience, skills and knowledge match the criteria that are required for the role.

Please note that CV applications cannot be considered.

Closing Date: 26/01/2023

Interviews will take place on: 03/02/2023

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.