To provide assessment, treatment, and management of speech, language and communication difficulties in children and young people with SEN attending Islington Special Schools. To develop clinical knowledge and skills in appropriate specialist assessment, intervention, and management of speech, language, and communication difficulties in children and young people with SEN, seeking support and supervision from clinical supervisor as appropriate. To develop knowledge in special educational needs including learning disability, autism, sensory and physical disabilities, underpinned by current evidence based practice and outcome measures. To develop the ability to reflect on auditory, visual, and kinaesthetic aspects of clients communication and to identify appropriate strategies to facilitate and enhance communicative effectiveness.

To develop and demonstrate specialist knowledge in Augmentative and Alternative Communication assessment and interventions. To make appropriate clinical decisions on evidence from assessment of complex cases, seeking advice as appropriate. To develop clear care plans based on best practice. To demonstrate clinical effectiveness reflecting on evidence-based practice and outcome measures.

To provide advice to others regarding the management and care of children with communication difficulties. To communicate complex condition related information to carers, families and members of the multi-disciplinary team/other professions, demonstrating empathy and ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where barriers to understanding exist. To work closely with children/young people carers, MDT and families, in order to agree plan of management. To deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible, and seek guidance from clinical supervisor or team lead as required.

To form productive relationships with others who may be under stress and/or have challenging communication difficulties. To demonstrate excellent communication skills. To demonstrate skills in motivating clients and /or parents/carers to engage in the therapeutic process To maintain sensitivity at all times to the emotional needs of children with special and complex needs and their carers, in particular when imparting potentially distressing information regarding the nature of the clients difficulties and implications of the same. To develop and demonstrate the ability to manage children with behaviours of concern including being aware of behaviour management plans, liaising with the MDT, and seeking appropriate consultation as appropriate.

To monitor and review the progress of children and young people against the targets set and agreed, and to modify targets as appropriate. To adapt practice to meet individual client circumstances. To reflect on clinical practice both individually and with peers identifying strengths and needs and providing evidence of sound clinical judgements based on research and the evidence based practice.To be aware of legal requirements relating to the provision of a speech and language therapy service. To maintain up to date and accurate case notes and write reports reflecting highly specialist knowledge, ensuring that they meet departmental standards and are in line with local Trust Policy, and RCSLT professional standards.

To demonstrate knowledge of current policies and practice in education and incorporate these into the model of working as appropriate. To manage and prioritise a defined caseload independently, independently accessing planned supervision to support the process and inform service lead/team lead on issues of service delivery including shortfall, service pressures etc. To develop and demonstrate skills in dealing with complex issues to generate appropriate strategies for caseload management. To contribute to multi-agency assessment procedures as required.

To demonstrate good negotiation skills across a range of issues and situations, recognising and resolving potential breakdown and conflict when it occurs. To ensure that children and young people are referred to other services as appropriate. To monitor and evaluate specialist service delivery and provide progress reports as required. To demonstrate comprehensive understanding of the issues associated with clinical governance and their application to professional practice.

This will include compliance with / adherence to, and implementation of service and service area and Trust policies, National and Local guidelines and RCSLT Professional and Clinical and Guidelines. To develop a working knowledge of relevant procedures including: Safeguarding Children, SEN procedures, Mental Capacity Act, working with Vulnerable Adults and other legal frameworks. To be accountable for professional action and recognising professional boundaries, and working within defined departmental and national protocols/policies and professional code of conduct. To work independently accessing appraisal within an Personal Development Review at pre-determined intervals.