Speech and Language Therapist

Speech and Language Therapist

Employer:                  Step by Step School

Location:                    Near East Grinstead, East Sussex

Banding:                   Band 5 or 6 (NQ Band 5 may be considered for the right candidate)

Pay:                             NHS B5: £29,970 – £36,483 (Full time)

NHS B6 £37,338 - £44,962 (ideally 3 days but up to full time considered)

Contract type:           Permanent

Step by Step was rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted (2022), and is a not-for-profit independent special school for autistic children. We are located near East Grinstead in the beautiful Sussex countryside. The pupil population includes pupils with variable support needs. Pupils use a variety of communication systems including predominantly verbal, hi-tech AAC, and low-tech AAC.

The School provides an individualised curriculum delivered through the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis for pupils aged 4 to 19. The school embraces evidence-based practice such as an embedded Attention Autism approach, colourful semantics, and Lego therapy. In addition, the school promotes a total communication approach and strives to support and respect pupils preferred communication methods. The school is also exploring strategies and benefits for pupils on role who are gestalt language processors. The school is registered for 40 pupils. The Therapy Team provide specialist, individualised, and integrated therapy to pupils, working alongside class staff, teachers, behaviour analysts, and other professionals associated with the school.

We offer our Speech and Language Therapists:

• The opportunity to work 1:1 with pupils within small class sizes
• Experience of planning and running therapy groups
• Completing community trips to support development of skills to promote community integration, safety, and independence through communication
• Ongoing training and CPD opportunities
• Ongoing clinical supervision from a trained and experienced Speech and Language Therapist
• Working collaboratively with other professionals (e.g., Occupational Therapists; Physiotherapists; Behaviour Anaylists, Teachers)
• Training to provide awareness and understanding of Applied Behaviour Analysis approach
• The opportunity to work closely with the class teams through integrated Speech, Language and Communications Needs (SLCN) targets in Individual Education Plans (IEPs)

The successful candidate will have/need:

• Professional Qualified Speech and Language Therapy qualification to degree level
• HCPC Registration
• Knowledge of assessment, planning, and evaluating treatment
• Demonstrable commitment to Evidence Based Practice (EBP)
• Knowledge and experience of a range of interventions to support social skill development, and speech and communication needs
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills
• Passionate about supporting autistic children and young people

You will join a supportive staff team where teamwork, flexibility, and a positive personality are essential attributes. Come and join the team to help make a difference to the lives of our children and young people.

Deadline for applications is 18th December at 9 am, with Interviews scheduled from 8th January 2025. If you would like to discuss this role, please contact either the Head Teacher Gayle Adam: gadam@stepbystepschool.org.uk or Therapy Lead Sian Kelly skelly@stepbystepschool.org.uk 

To apply for this position, please contact Clare Eastwood for an application pack: ceastwood@stepbystepschool.org.uk

We look forward to hearing from you. 

Step by Step School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. An enhanced disclosure will be conducted for the successful applicant.