Lead Speech and Language Therapist (SALT) Practitioner

Job Title: Lead Speech and Language Therapist (SALT) Practitioner

Basic Salary: £37,000 - £47,000 + £3,000 car allowance

Benefits: Company Pension, Life Assurance, Employee Discount Scheme

Hours: 37.5 per week

Location: Home based with a requirement to travel to schools throughout the UK

Reports To: Head of Therapy and Managing Director of Education

Job Purpose:

To lead the development and implementation of the Polaris Education therapeutic model, focusing on enhancing the connection, communication and relationship skills and overall well-being of children and young people so they can learn and grow The role involves working across the Polaris Community, providing training to staff, and collaborating with other practitioners to ensure a child-centred, trauma-informed approach to education.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Leadership and Cultural Change:
• Lead the integration of the COSMMIC therapeutic model, fostering a culture of practice around open communication and establishing and maintaining a supportive school community.
• Champion child-centred practices and ensure consistent adoption of the model across all schools within the group.
2. Training and Development:
• Develop, refine and deliver comprehensive training programs as required for all staff on communication models, trauma-informed practices, and child-centred approaches.
• Provide enhanced support for teaching assistants to deliver emotional regulation and social communication interventions.
3. Collaboration and Support:
• Work closely with other internal and external practitioners, including Special needs coordination, educators, to provide holistic support to students.
• Conduct sensory and environmental audits to create conducive learning environments.
• Use screening tools to identify additional/developing needs and initiate referrals where appropriate.
• Formulate and update social communication and sensory profiles for students.
4. Therapeutic Practice:
• Utilize evidence-based practices informed by models of attachment, child and adolescent development, and interventions around complex developmental trauma, emotional regulation, executive functioning difficulties, sexualized behaviours, and neurodiversity.
• Maintain a positive attitude towards shared therapeutic planning, reflective practice, and outcomes tracking.
• Apply knowledge of emotional regulation and social communication models to support students with SEND needs.
5. Student and Stakeholder Engagement:
• Support the team to capture children and young people’s voices, seeking regular feedback and input to tailor support and interventions.
• Communicate effectively with children, young people, carers, and professionals across various domains.
• Participate proactively in supervision, training, and ongoing personal and professional development.
6. Compliance and Record-Keeping:
• Ensure all practice and records are consistent with GDPR, professional practice standards, and Polaris Community policies.
• Work independently, planning assessment, intervention, and evaluation.
• Understand the needs set out in Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs), tailor interventions and monitor and evaluate progress.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Degree in Speech and Language Therapy or similar qualifications.
• Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) or equivalent professional body
• Significant experience working with children and young people, particularly those with SEND needs.
• Proven experience in delivering training and working within multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong understanding of emotional regulation and communication models and trauma-informed practices.
• Experience in understanding and implementing EHCPs and monitoring progress.

Skills and Attributes:

• Passionate about listening to and advocating for children and young people.
• Ability to work effectively across multiple locations with a willingness to travel.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence cultural change.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to apply evidence-based practices and articulate them clearly to various stakeholders.
• Committed to ongoing personal and professional development.

Polaris Education is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.