Speech and Language Therapist

Job Description

Autism Anglia and Doucecroft School, based in Colchester, are seeking a highly motivated Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) to join the Therapy Team on a permenant basis.

The post holder will provide support for learners' communication ability and participate in the continuing development of these services under the direction of the Therapy Lead for autistic, Learning Difficulties and associated Mental Health needs. The successful Speech and Language Therapist will also be supporting a like-minded multidisciplinary team consisting of Occupational Therapists, music therapists and psychodynamic therapists, and other clinical staff.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work with a well-established charity. Autism Anglia and Doucecroft School provide ongoing specialist training including leadership, autism-specific, curriculum and therapeutic training opportunities, supervision, and continuing professional development and support. A thorough and structured induction is also on offer at the commencement of employment.

• Location: Doucecroft School, Eight Ash Green, Colchester, CO6 3QL
• Hours: Full - time
• Duration of role: Permenant
• Salary: Equivalent of level 5/6

The school:

Doucecroft School is a vibrant, dynamic, and highly supportive specialist co-educational school for children and young people with autism and additional complex needs, aged 5 -19 years. Doucecroft has a "Good" Ofsted rating, where we provide a nurturing environment where students can thrive and grow in independence and self-esteem.

We offer bespoke, individualised education with a proven track record of dramatically raising the outcomes for the students who have completed their education with us. Our approach ensures that through our curriculum and delivery, we focus on delivering quality-of-life outcomes, with specialist therapists and professionals providing expertise in addition to the highly skilled education team.

All staff within the school are committed to striving towards outstanding, led by an enthusiastic and dynamic senior leadership team.

The Role:

• Assessing new learners' and reviewing existing learners' communication needs within the school
• Developing communication targets for your allocated learners (in collaboration with teaching and care staff) and regularly monitoring and reviewing these targets
• Delivering individual and group therapy, where required
• Attending Multi-disciplinary team meetings and annual reviews
• Delivering training to the wider professional team to develop their skills in effective communication with Autistic individuals
• Supervision of less experienced Speech and Language Therapists, Therapy assistants and therapy students

Applications are welcome from Speech & Language Therapists with the following:

• Experience with Augamentative and alternative communication 
• A recognised qualification in Speech and Language Therapy is essential
• Theoretical knowledge and practical experience of working with people who have severe learning disabilities and/or autism
• Supervision experience highly advantageous
• A confident, caring and proactive attitude
• The ability to provide high quality professional advice and detailed reports of a high standard
• Working within a school setting
• Working within a residential and supported living setting

By its nature, Doucecroft School offers an excellent work/life balance reflected by the school's ethos, small class sizes, and a senior leadership team who are committed to reducing the administrative tasks of its teachers, to allow teaching staff to focus heavily on direct outcomes for the learners.

To apply:

Autism Anglia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and expects all staff to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Autism Anglia is positive about inclusion and welcomes applications from individuals who can meet the requirements of the job position and may wish to request flexible working or reasonable adjustments to support them.

Please note we are unable to offer sponsorship.