Percy Hedley Foundation

Percy Hedley School

"a beacon of excellence" OfSTED Jan 2008

You will be responsible for the care and wellbeing of the disabled children and young people who attend our residential unit. As a member of the Senior Staff Team, you will deputise for the Head of Care when required. All staff undertake some sleep-in and waking night duties on rotation. Candidates should hold an NVQ IV in Child Care or Disability (or equivalent). Occasional weekend working and some school holiday cover will be required.

Closing date for receipt of applications: noon on Thursday 11th September 2008.

Required for October 2008 until July 2009 - a speech and language therapist to join our team at Percy Hedley Secondary School.

The caseload for this post will comprise one class of students at Key Stage 4 and 1 at Post 16. (age 14-19) who have specific language impairment, some of whom have an additional hearing impairment.

Therapists work as part of multi-disciplinary teams which includes teachers, support staff, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and an educational psychologist, all of whom are employed by the school. Teaching and therapy is highly collaborative and delivered in an integrated way.

There is a large team of specialist speech and language therapists across the Primary and Secondary schools who are supported by assistants. There is good support available along with opportunities for continued professional development and training. A mentor will be assigned as support.

The post would suit a therapist with some experience who wishes to extend their skills in working within an educational setting and with this complex client group. However, newly qualified therapists are welcome to apply as supervision will be available.

Closing date for receipt of applications: noon on Monday, 15th September 2008.

Northern Counties School

Northern Counties School is part of the Percy Hedley Foundation of three schools for children with a range of special educational needs. The schools offer the highest quality education, therapy and care to pupils with speech, language and communication difficulties, sensory impairment, learning disabilities, autism and those with cerebral palsy.

Required for September 2008 or as soon as possible thereafter - a specialist speech and language therapist to join the staff at Northern Counties School for 3 days per week.

The caseload for this post will comprise students with a range of complex learning disability including PMLD attending Northern Counties School in Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne.

The successful applicant will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team which includes teachers, support staff, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and an educational psychologist, most of whom are employed by the school. There is a full-time Speech and Language Therapist already in post. Teaching and therapy is highly collaborative and delivered in an integrated way. There is a strong emphasis on a Total Communication approach and Signed Supported English is used throughout the school alongside other methods of augmentative communication.

There is a large team of specialist speech and language therapists across the Percy Hedley Foundation who are supported by assistants. There is good support available along with opportunities for continued professional development and training. It is envisaged that the post at Northern Counties School would form part of this network allowing for peer support and supervision while not working on the same school site.

The post would suit an experienced therapist who wishes to extend and develop their skills in working within an educational setting and with this complex client group. A post graduate dysphagia qualification is essential for this post.

Closing date for receipt of applications - to be confirmed.