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We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join our multidisciplinary team.

This is a unique opportunity to work within a specialist employability and preparing for adulthood provision, supporting autistic young adults aged 18-25 to achieve their goals and aspirations.

The successful candidate will support autistic young adults to develop the communication skills, confidence and independence needed to achieve meaningful outcomes in adulthood, including employment, community participation and independent living.

Working within a specialist post-16 setting, the post holder will champion neurodiversity-affirming practice and collaborate with staff, families, employers and external professionals to ensure communication support is embedded across all aspects of learners' educational and employment journeys.

The post holder will provide specialist assessment, intervention, consultation and training across the provision, contributing to learners' EHCP outcomes and supporting positive transitions into adult life.

We are committed to supporting continuing professional development and welcome applications from therapists looking to further develop their expertise in autism and preparing-for-adulthood provision.

You Will Work With

· Learners aged 18-25 accessing The Autism Project.

· Parents, carers and families.

· Pathway Leads, Tutors, Job Coaches and Learning Support staff.

· Employer partners.

· TAP Senior Leadership Team.

· External professionals including Occupational Therapists, Mental Health Practitioners, Social Workers, Speech and Language Therapists and Local Authority professionals.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

• Assess learners' speech, language, communication and interaction needs through formal and informal assessment methods.
• Develop and implement individual communication targets and support plans linked to EHCP outcomes.
• Deliver specialist speech and language interventions where appropriate.
• Monitor learner progress and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions.
• Produce clear assessment reports, progress reports and annual review contributions.
• Support learners to develop functional communication skills that promote independence and successful transition into adulthood.
• Identify and advise on communication strategies, visual supports and reasonable adjustments.
• Ensure communication support remains person-centred and outcome-focused.

Preparing for Adulthood and Employment

• Support learners to develop communication skills required within workplaces and community settings.
• Work collaboratively with curriculum staff and Job Coaches to embed communication targets within employability programmes.
• Provide communication support and advice relating to work placements and employment opportunities.
• Assess barriers to communication within work and community environments and recommend appropriate strategies and adjustments.
• Contribute to positive employment outcomes for autistic young adults.

Consultation and Staff Development

• Provide specialist advice and guidance to education staff, Job Coaches and support staff.
• Deliver training relating to autism, communication differences, social interaction and communication support strategies.
• Coach staff to implement communication approaches consistently across the provision.
• Promote communication-friendly learning and workplace environments.
• Contribute to a culture of reflective practice and continuous improvement.

Multi-Disciplinary Working

• Work collaboratively with families, local authorities and external professionals.
• Attend EHCP reviews, annual reviews and multidisciplinary meetings as required.
• Liaise with external agencies to support coordinated approaches to learner outcomes.
• Make referrals and signpost learners to additional support services where appropriate.
• Work collaboratively across pathway teams by attending team meetings, sharing communication strategies and contributing to reasonable adjustments and support plans within work placement settings.

· Provide advice and guidance to Job Coaches, Tutors, Mentors and employers regarding learners' communication profiles, support needs and reasonable adjustments within work placement and employment settings.

Professional Responsibilities

• Maintain HCPC registration and professional standards.
• Engage in regular supervision and continuous professional development.
• Keep up to date with developments in speech and language therapy, autism and neurodiversity-affirming practice.
• Contribute to the development and evaluation of the Speech and Language Therapy Service at The Autism Project.
• Maintain accurate and timely records in accordance with organisational and professional requirements.
• Comply with safeguarding, health and safety and data protection requirements.
• Contribute to the development of communication-friendly environments and practices across The Autism Project.