Speech & Language Therapist

Rationale The Hamilton International School (THIS) provides specialist teaching and therapy for students whose primary need is Speech, Behaviour, Language and Communication. Some pupils are also on the autistic spectrum and have high level sensory needs.

The Junior Speech & Language Therapist priority is to provide clinically effective, person-centred, and evidence‑based Speech & Language therapy assessment and intervention to students at The Hamilton International School. They will also provide support and training to all education staff regarding Speech & Language therapy interventions.

Job Purpose and Scope

Provide clinically effective, person‑centred, and evidence‑based therapy, assessment and intervention to children at the Hamilton International School.

Provide support and training to all education staff with regard to S&L therapy interventions.

Functional Links The S&L Therapist will be expected to work in collaboration with allied professionals and will need to maintain links with a variety of bodies. These will include :

Students and their parents / carers and advocates

School staff

Other professionals working with the students

Relevant Community Services

Duties & Responsibilities

Assess, screen, and evaluate students and effectively share results with parents and educational staff, and participate in the eligibility determination process in accordance with school requirements and best practice.

Providing high quality direct speech‑language therapy services to students according to students’ Individual Education Plans.

Conducting assessments, analysing results, and writing reports to determine strengths and concerns in areas of speech, voice, fluency, pragmatics, language, and oral motor skills.

Developing IEPs that are SMART and strength‑based as well as child and family centred for overall educational improvement.

Ensuring evaluations, IEPs and service delivery are aligned with school guidelines.

Assisting and guiding teachers in observing, describing, and referring suspected and identified speech and language delays / disorders.

Provide consultative services for school staff by sharing and demonstrating specific techniques and working with school teams to facilitate relevant and consistent interventions for targeted students.

Communicate and collaborate with parents and the school community for the purpose of fostering individual student success and growth while engaging the families in the therapy program.

Maintain and submit information / reports including student progress for all students.

Share with other staff members the responsibility for school activities and student supervision.

Communicating and coordinating with the SENCO to ensure school mission, philosophy, and procedures are embraced.

Keeping abreast of best practices in speech and language therapy and language development.

Contributing productively to the school as a whole.

Clinical

Use clinical reasoning skills, to analyse and interpret assessment results in order to set appropriate therapy goals and outcome measures.

Monitor, evaluate and modify intervention in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.

Provide individual or small group therapy, as required.

Liaise with all team members and family / carers to provide a coordinated approach and ensure occupational therapy treatment is integrated into the student’s targets.

Contribute to and / or provide training to both school staff and parents.

Work closely with the SEN team, including the occupational therapist, to ensure provision is child centred and the environment enables them to realise their potential and maximise their academic, social, physical and emotional development.

Develop and monitor SaLT programmes implemented by the Special Education Teachers and Learning assistants.

Support, advise and supervise the same.

Assess for, advise and order specialist equipment / software being aware of financial implications and restrictions in liaison with reporting relationships.

Attend school‑arranged meetings for children, including IEP meetings, reviews and parent evenings.

Use IT and other alternative methods of communication to overcome barriers to communication (e.g. simple clear language, Makaton, symbols, visuals and objects).

Administration & Management

Manage a clinical caseload and time effectively, prioritising work as required.

Complete and maintain accurate treatment records in accordance with the Standards of Practice set by THIS.

Write professional reports to be shared at review meetings, and attend review meetings where appropriate.

Professional

Be accountable for own professional action and recognise own professional boundaries, seeking advice where appropriate.

Be aware of the sensitivity required to work closely, effectively and in a professional manner with students, parents / carers and other professionals.

Respect confidentiality, individuality, values and cultural and religious diversity of pupils.

Undertake school induction programmes and continued professional development (CPD), including child protection and safeguarding, health and safety and risk management training.

Participate in staff meetings, department meetings and liaison meetings with other professionals.

Promote awareness of the role of S&L therapy within the school and home community.

Maintain personal development through off‑site and in‑house training, contact and involvement with relevant special interest groups, attendance of CPD, and review of literature as required.

Maintain own clinical professional development by keeping abreast of new developments within the profession and ensure that practice is based on the best available evidence.

Review and reflect on own practice and performance through effective use of professional and operational supervision.

Work within professional standards as stipulated in the relevant Code of Conduct.

Health and Safety

Emphasise the importance of safety in all areas of the curriculum, communicating to the pupils the importance of a responsible attitude towards personal safety, the safety of others and respect for school property and equipment.

Perform playground duties on time and with due diligence to safeguard students.

Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials and facilities.

Assist in implementing all policies and rules governing student life and conduct.

Ensure that all necessary health and safety rules and procedures are followed.

Maintain an awareness of all the health and safety measures to be taken when in school.

Position Requirements Education

Have a current licence or be qualified for a licence as a Speech‑Language Pathologist.

Bachelor’s Degree / Master’s Degree in Speech‑Language Pathology from an accredited institution.

Preferred candidates will have experience with oral‑motor skills, childhood development, TEACCH, PECS, ABA / VB strategies.

Experience Minimum 3 years’ relevant experience.

Language English is mandatory.

Competencies

Outstanding performance in counselling & wellbeing in a school setting.

Excellent communication skills and command of the English language, in spoken and written form.

Organisation skills : well organised and able to prioritise, multitask and meet deadlines.

Ability to work on a regular and punctual basis.

Flexible and work well under pressure.

Customer service.

Critical thinking.

Ability to negotiate, persuade and motivate others.

Willing attitude to be a part of the school team.

Strong sense of professionalism.

Safeguarding and welfare of children.

Collaborative team‑player with excellent interpersonal skills.

Ability to develop good personal relationships within a team.

Behaviour management.

Demonstrated competency to use computer applications related to the role, including word processing and spreadsheet applications.

Record keeping and report preparation methods.

Interpersonal skills including tact, courtesy and patience.

Customer focused.

Willingness to undertake appropriate Professional Development.

Attributes

Empathetic listener.

Integrity and confidentiality.

Internationally minded.

Emotional intelligence.

Intercultural awareness, creative.

Flexible and a can‑do attitude.

Passionate about delivering quality education.

Able to command respect of pupils, colleagues and parents.

Driven by wanting to improve quality and develop the school.

Reliable with an attention to detail and a commitment to quality.

An innovator with a willingness to embrace change.

Preferred Requirements

Qualifications & experience in areas relating to Inclusive Education.

Qualifications in Occupational / Speech & Language / Behaviour / Music Therapy.

Important Note ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and expects all staff to share this commitment. Successful applicants will have to provide Criminal Background Checks for any country you have permanently lived and or worked in over the last ten years.

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