Head of Speech and language Therapy Profession, Learning Disability

Head of Speech and Language Therapy Profession, Learning Disability (*) (**)
(767-EHA1728)

Location: Eversley House Hythe, Kent
Full Time: 37.5 Hours per week

Band 8b: ?44,258 - ?54,714 per annum

This is an opportunity for you, a dynamic leader to continue the development of the Speech and Language Therapy service to Adults with a learning disability across East Kent.

The post will be available from April 2010 when the current post-holder retires. We are hoping for a period of overlap between the new and the current post-holder.

You will lead a team of ten Speech and Language Therapists and five Speech and Language Therapy Technical Instructors and a small, but currently expanding, clerical support team. The staff are based in our six integrated Community Learning Disability teams and work closely with their Health and Social Services colleagues.

The team is:
• Committed to delivering a service in line with the personalisation agenda:
• Works in close partnership with other health professionals and support our people to access primary and secondary health care and supports the consent process.
• Works in partnership with other agencies to help our people to live as full lives as possible in the community.

As a service we
• Run a regular videofluoroscopy clinic for people with complex needs.
• Have a well established community audiology service (via a service level agreement with the Audiology department).
We also have the very latest audiology screening tools in each base.
• Have access to the Communication Aids service to Adults, thus ensuring that our people
receive the very best of appropriate aids.
• Have a rolling training programme to carers and other s in Swallowing awareness,
Communication (including official and bespoke Makaton Workshops), Hearing Impairment,
and Social Communication Skills. We are currently investing in an Intensive Interaction
Co- ordinator role for one of our therapists.
• Are very well resourced in terms of equipment.

You will need to have a minimum of five years management experience. You will have four clinical sessions from your base in the Shepway Community Learning Disability team.

In line with the other Heads of Professions in Learning Disabilities you will be line managed by the Deputy Associate Director of Nursing and Adult Clinical Services. Professional leadership will be provided by the Head of Adult Speech and Language Therapy to ensure that the team retains a strong professional identity and opportunities for joint CPD.

If you want to discuss the post further please contact Head of Speech and Language Therapy service Learning Disabilities, Ann.Cardinal@eastcoastkent.nhs.uk Tel: 01303 717000.

For a Job description and application form please contact Laura.Harvey@eastcoastkent.nhs.uk Tel: 01227 783111.