Speech and Language Therapy Assistant

Speech and Language Therapy Assistant

Location: Smallfield, Surrey

Hourly Rate: £11.55 - £12.00 per hour 

Salary: Actual salary £20,637.53 - £21,441.59 dependant on experience and qualifications

Hours: 40 hours per week, 8.30am-4.30pm, flexibility within these hours is essential and you are required to work till 5pm one day a week for staff training and meetings. Term time only. 

Aurora Redehall School 

Part of the Aurora Group, Aurora Redehall School, in Smallfield, Surrey are currently looking to recruit a Speech and Language Therapy Assistant. Redehall School supports children aged 6-11 years with communication difficulties typically associated with Asperger’s Syndrome and Autism.

Aurora Redehall School is linked to Caterham Education Centre, they share the same Headteacher and Senior Management Team, however each site has its own Assistant Head and team of Teachers and TAs. Although the sites operate separately on the whole, students do cross between sites occasionally.

To take a virtual look around our school please click here: Aurora Redehall

Purpose of the role: 

The purpose of the SALT Therapy Assistant is to support the children with the development of their language and communication skills so that they can access learning, develop their social skills and general wellbeing. Strong communication skills are vital to ensure every child has the best opportunity to reach their full potential.

You will model and support class teams with communication skills as well as positive behaviour management adopting a tailored approach to the individual child.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Establish a positive relationship with pupils in order to support them in feeling safe and enabling them to enjoy and learn.
• Lead learning activities for individuals and groups of pupils under the supervision of the speech and language therapist and SENCo, differentiating and adapting learning programmes to suit the needs of allocated pupils. Reinforce learning concepts presented by teachers/SaLT, model techniques and strategies as appropriate.
• Plan, deliver and evaluate programmes of study which build students’ development of speech and language and social skills 
• Research, advise on and source, or prepare and make, equipment and materials which contribute to the efficient delivery of speech and language services
• Liaise with colleagues and parents, under the guidance of the SaLT/ SENCo to support individual students’ therapy programmes, class and whole school approaches.
• Assist the Speech and Language Therapist with recording of targets, report writing and other administrative requirements
• Under the direction of the Speech and Language Therapist/ SENCo, to cascade knowledge to colleagues in relation to speech, language and communication skills and approaches and support colleagues to access approaches and tools – through informal training and more formalised formal training sessions
• Input into assessment and reporting on development, progress and attainment in relation to speech, language and communication skills.
• To take an active role in key areas of responsibility across the school including communication friendly classrooms and related interventions.
• Develop and implement individual plans for specific pupils (such as the educational elements in an EHCP), including attendance at, and contribution to, reviews if requested.
• Monitor behaviour and concentration levels of the children and intervene to resolve issues. Adapt own behaviour and responses to any change or escalations in behaviour of the children. Ensure all documentation is completed correctly for records of incidents, health, behaviour etc. as necessary.
• Ensure a high standard of personal care for the pupils, carefully monitoring the health and wellbeing of the pupils and passing on information to relevant colleagues and other professionals with both concerns and positive changes.
• On occasion, you may support the Teacher with the overall running of the class and delivery of lessons including some team teaching and modelling of techniques.

For the full job description please contact Liz from the recruitment team liz.hudson@the-aurora-group.com

Skills and Qualifications

Qualifications:

• GCSE pass above C (or 4 in the new GCSE system) in English and Maths.

Knowledge and experience:

• Previous experience of working as a L2 qualified/equivalent TA or speech and language therapy assistant. 
• Relevant knowledge and experience of pupils with SEN – particularly those with communication and interaction difficulties
• Understanding of the Safeguarding principles and Child Protection procedures
• Experience working within education
• Experience of planning and leading interventions, with a demonstrable impact is desirable
• Understanding of speech and language difficulties, strategies and approaches is desirable
• Experience of managing a range of approaches to behaviour, including managing behaviours that challenge is desirable.

Skills:

• Commitment to the role, the desire to put the child first and treat them as an individual
• Be positive and creative in meeting pupils’ needs
• Be able to model high quality spoken and written language and communication skills
• Be able to reflect on own practice and take on board professional advice
• Work collaboratively with other staff and professionals with good interpersonal skills
• Able to work within the parameters of the physical demands of the job role

Benefits and Additional Information

Be part of our successful team and also benefit from a generous package that includes:

• Life assurance and Pension
• Perkbox - offering high street discounts
• Employee assistance programme
• Car lease scheme
• Fully funded training and qualifications
• Bike to work scheme
• Free membership to our Health cash back plan - Claim back money on services such as dental, optical, physio and many more.

How to Apply: 

You can apply online by completing our online application form.  For more information on this position please contact Liz on 07918 585258 / liz.hudson@the-aurora-group.com

Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Aurora Group is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

The Aurora Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and young adults in our care and is a disability confident and equal opportunities employer.

This advert could be taken down at any point in time without prior notice if the position is filled.