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Job summary

Main area
Child, Family & Neuro Mgt
Grade
Band 4
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Part time - 15 hours per week
Job ref
371-CFS550
Employer
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
25 Erlegh Road, Child, Family & Neuro Mgt
Town
Reading
Salary
£27,485 - £30,162 per annum, pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
05/08/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust logo

Senior Speech and Language Therapy Assisant

Band 4

Job overview

We have an exciting opportunity for an Assistant Speech and Language Therapist to join our Adult Autism Diagnostic team as a band 4 in Berkshire Healthcare NHS trust. The successful candidate will be based at Erleigh Rd in Reading and will be working with adult clients. This is an opportunity to develop specialist clinical knowledge and skills for working with neurodiversity, specifically autism.  

We welcome applications from people who have excellent communication skills and understanding of autism. The team is a multi-professional and previous working experience from an NHS setting would be an advantage. They will work closely with all members of the team and be supported by a senior speech and language therapist. We offer a supportive work environment and are committed to personal and professionals development through regular supervision and access to on the job training to enhance CPD.  

 

The post holder will be responsible for: 

  • Carrying out administrative duties as appropriate, which includes data collection, arranging appointments, report writing and assisting in service development with support from a Speech and Language therapist 

  • Supporting the team with assessment by carrying out specific tasks and developing neurodiversity passports. 

  • Working with the team to deliver training to groups.   

 

This is a part time post for 15 hours per week. There may be some opportunities for home working.  

Main duties of the job

The role requires excellent interpersonal skills. Main duties include supporting clinicians to collect information about their clients to support assessments, administrative duties (keeping clinical records and writing reports) and developing neurodiversity passports. The post holder will be required to have excellent IT skills. 

Working for our organisation

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we’re committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:

  • Caring for and about you is our top priority
  • Committed to providing good quality, safe services
  • Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:

  • Flexible working options to support work-life balance
  • 27 days’ annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
  • Generous NHS pension scheme
  • Excellent learning and career development opportunities
  • ‘Cycle to Work’ and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
  • Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
  • Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
  • Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
  • Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
  • Free parking across Trust sites

 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The “must haves” for this role: 

 

1.Previous experience of working in a professional caring environment.  

2.Excellent interpersonal skills 

3.Excellent IT skills 

4.Knowledge and understanding of neurodiversity  

 

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification. We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted. For further application tips – see the help with your application document attached once you click apply. 

If you’re someone who shares our passion for excellence and care, you belong at Berkshire Healthcare! 

 

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don’t hesitate to email: [email protected] who’ll be delighted to help. 

 

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where required. 

Person specification

Education/Qualifications/Training

Essential criteria
  • GCSE level C or equivalent in English
  • GCSE level C or equivalent in Biology
  • GCSE level C or equivalent in Maths
  • A working knowledge of Microsoft products including excel
  • NVQ Level III in a health related subject (or equivalent qualification)
  • NVQ Level 4(as above)

Continuous Professional Development

Essential criteria
  • Previous reliable employment
  • Experience in caring environment
  • Experience of working with the public
  • Experience in use of computes
  • Experience in administrative duties
  • Experience of team working
  • Experience of working under direction
  • Experience of working with people with physical and/or mental health conditions

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria
  • Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the role of the Speech & Language Therapist
  • Good written and spoken English
  • Understand the importance of confidentiality, dignity and privacy
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Able to listen well
  • Able to demonstrate empathy with clients, carers and colleagues
  • Able to communicate effectively, particularly where barriers to understanding exist
  • Ability to deal with and communicate sensitive or difficult issues over the telephone or face to face
  • Knowledge and/or experience of alternative methods of communication (e.g. signing, symbols, apps)
  • Awareness of health and safety issues relevant to role and reporting mechanisms
  • The ability to deal with conflict
  • General understanding of clinical conditions relevant to specialty
  • Demonstrate understanding of this role and how it may contribute to clinical outcomes
  • Appropriate use of Initiative, but know own limitations
  • Willingness to undertake further professional development/clinical skills
  • Able to reflect on practice with peers/clinical supervisor
  • Approachable and helpful
  • Demonstrate ability to receive and process referral information and share information with relevant services
  • Empathetic
  • Flexible / adaptable
  • Good organisational skills
  • Ability and willingness to learn
  • Good time management
  • Willing and able to assist a person with their personal care
  • To be able to work safely without direct supervision
  • To be well motivated / enthusiastic

Additional Requirements

Essential criteria
  • Occupational Health clearance
  • Criminal Records Bureau clearance
  • Ability to Drive
  • Have use of Car

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoDisability confident employerCarer confident logo, the employers for carers confident schemeCare quality commission - OutstandingStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Armed Forces Covenant

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Ann Wilson
Job title
Clinical Autism Lead
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0118 9315800
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