Job Title: Head of Therapy and Additional Support

Location: Cheadle

Reports to: Headteacher, Inscape House School

Salary: Points 35-37 Together Trust scale for Therapists

JOB PURPOSE

To assist the Headteacher in the management and day-to-day running of Inscape House School; to uphold the aims, ethos and philosophy of the school as established by the Governing Body and Together Trust and to contribute to the continued development of Inscape House School.

To manage and deploy the Inscape House School speech therapy, nursing and occupational therapy teams and the Learning Mentor, so that they can maximise their contribution to pupils’ learning and progression and are fully integrated in ways of working across the school and at all levels. To ensure that resources human and physical are effectively utilised.

To ensure the highest standards of clinical practice within the team and promote innovative and evidence driven practice

You will be part of the Inscape House School Senior Leadership Team. This is a pivotal position within the school ensuring that speech and language, occupational therapy and mentoring for learning are embedded within school practice and that the therapists / mentor are integral members of the staff team contributing fully to the work of the school while maintaining their own expertise and professional standards. You will also be expected to liaise with the psychology and positive behaviour support team to ensure the integration of autism specific approaches

Safeguarding children and vulnerable people is a priority for all employees.

NATURE OF THE POST

Inscape House School has a broad and balanced curriculum incorporating the National Curriculum with an emphasis on the development of social, communication and personal skills as set out in the Inscape House School Teaching and Learning Policy. The school uses autism specific approaches to enable pupils to maximise their ability to learn. The role of the therapists managed by the Head of Support for Learning is critical in developing pupils’ communication and social skills and reducing barriers to learning. The service aims to embed communication, sensory and behaviour approaches within the school’s delivery.

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The post holder will be required to be aware of relevant clinical and organisation developments within the professional disciplines of the various members of the Support for Learning Team. An understanding of the theory and practice of clinical governance and its application in the school and Together Trust setting is vital to this role.

The post holder will also be required to maintain an up to date knowledge of current developments in the field of communication difficulties and disabilities including Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASCs) and their implications for the Support for Learning disciplines, as well as the challenges these present for young people and their families.

The post holder will have a key role working with the Inscape House School Senior Leadership Team to contribute to Inscape House School’s strategic development and improvement and the day to day running of the school.

As part of the Together Trust’s Education Services - including teachers, college tutors, speech and language therapists, assistants and other professionals - the post holder will be expected to work closely with professionals in other services and support the ethos of the Together Trust and Inscape House School.

In respect of the general responsibilities as an employee of Together Trust, the post holder will be required to:

Promote a positive image of the service and the Together Trust at all times

Be aware of and follow the relevant policies and procedures Maintain confidentiality for all areas of the post Co-operate with all Together Trust staff in maintaining harmonious

interpersonal relations Perform any duties as may reasonably be required by the Together Trust,

or as requested by the post holder’s line manager and other senior managers.

The post holder will be based in Cheadle but will be expected to work across all sites and to undertake visits to commissioners and locations where services are delivered.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Support for Learning

To maintain high standards and lead a review of clinical standards and service delivery at least once a year involving representatives of all stakeholder groups.

To be responsible for ensuring the quality of the delivery of Support for Learning Services, providing monitoring information to the Headteacher, Director and Governors as required

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To provide strategic leadership and operational management of the Support for Learning Team and the wider school.

In consultation with the Headteacher and other members of the Senior Leadership Team, to deploy the therapists and learning mentor to maximum effect within the school

To support and develop staff to ensure high standards of delivery ensuring that staff have appropriate professional development opportunities, regular supervision and performance management

To lead on the appointment of therapists and learning mentor, liaising with HR and involving stakeholders within the school

To ensure systems are in place and are used effectively to identify pupils’ needs for speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and mentoring for learning, to assess their progress and to set targets for future development

To analyse and report on pupil progression and achievement of therapy related targets

To maintain the profile of Inscape House School’s Support for Learning Team as innovators and leaders in their field

Contribute to improving standard of all support roles across the school, through training and professional dialogue.

To maintain high professional standards and be a role model in the delivery of your discipline and in relationships with parents and colleagues.

Contribution to the Inscape House Senior Leadership Team To make a significant contribution to the continued development of

Inscape House School. To lead on ensuring that the school develops learner/pupil voice to

ensure that pupils participate fully in their education and choices To assist the Headteacher with the presentation of the school to visitors

and outside bodies. To be a member of the panel responsible for admissions to and

transitions from school and advise on the therapy provision necessary to meet the needs of potential new pupils

To contribute to the behaviour team specifically about the incorporation of therapy programmes in behaviour plans

To participate in the NAS Accreditation programme and take the lead on demonstrating how the school supports communication and addresses sensory issues.

To participate in monitoring, evaluation and self review processes procedures in collaboration with the Headteacher and other members of Senior Leadership Team

To demonstrate the impact of support for learning provided by the team at Inscape House School, and collate the necessary information for governors, provide information to Ofsted, NAS Accreditation teams

To have a specific responsibility for ensuring that Initial Placement and Annual reviews are conducted in accordance with the code of practice (to be reviewed on the appointment of the School Business Manager)

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GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES To collaborate with all colleagues at Inscape House School To attend reviews, case conferences, staff meetings and other meetings

as required To take part in the Performance Management cycle according to school

and Together Trust policy

To attend relevant courses, to read current literature on autism and special educational needs and to disseminate information to the rest of the staff team

To liaise with parents, families and carers, outside agencies and other professionals

To assist with students and volunteers whilst they are on placement with the school.

This job description reflects the current requirements of the post. As duties and responsibilities change and develop, the job description will be reviewed and amended subject to consultation with the post holder.

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PERSON SPECIFICATIONNote to Applicant: When completing your application form you should demonstrate the extent to which you have the necessary education, experience, knowledge and skills identified for the post.“E” denotes essential “D” denotes desirable

(E) / (D) Evidenced

Education/Qualifications Relevant degree from health professions or

education. Relevant registration with governing eg HCPC /

education org. Evidence of recent relevant professional development

Further degree / accredited qualification in Autism Spectrum Conditions or commitment to undertake this

E

EE

D

Application Form

Knowledge & Skills Knowledge of current theories and models of

practice appropriate to SEN / LD / Autism Knowledge of the use of outcome measures. Knowledge of clinical governance Knowledge of Autism Spectrum Conditions

including Asperger’s Syndrome Knowledge of relevant safeguarding

requirements Internet access skills and basic knowledge of

Microsoft office applications - word, PowerPoint, excel

E

D

E

EE

Application Form/

Interview/ References

Experience Experience of working as manager Experience of working in a range of clinical

settings Experience of working in special schools Experience or working in community and/or

voluntary organisations Experience of relevant governance mechanisms Experience of working with children with Autism

Spectrum Conditions Experience of difficult to manage behaviour Experience of mental health

DDEDDEE

DD

Application Form/Interview/ References

Personal Qualities Excellent communication skills Ability to work as part of a multi disciplinary

team Ability to relate well to parents and carers Ability to critically appraise own performance so

as to set priorities Resilience and tenacity

EEEE

E

Application Form/Interview/ References

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