Meeting the Speaking, Listening and Communication Needs of Children:
Collaborative Working Across Agencies

 

Secondment of one day a week for 12 months or equivalent

 

1 wte Speech and Language Therapist plus 1 wte LEA employee

 

Background

The Government wishes to address the root causes of child poverty, impoverished communication and learning skills and social exclusion.

 

These factors can result in poor aspirations in young people, restricted life chances through poor educational attainment, anti-social and criminal behaviour.

 

Effective communication skills are fundamental to enhancing life chances for children. Speech and Language Therapy departments, Local Education Authorities, Social Services and Voluntary bodies are currently being encouraged to work in partnership to provide the necessary expertise to achieve the linked targets.

 

Project Purpose

Working within the agenda set by the green paper Every Child Matters, now the Children’s Bill, County Durham and Tees Valley Workforce Development Confederation is funding a secondment opportunity for a Speech and Language Therapist and an LEA employee to work together to develop a multi-agency framework.

 

This will provide guidance on categorising communication need and on ways to meet communication need using best available evidence.

 

The framework will be concerned with the communication needs of all children; those identified with severe speech and language disorders, those with impoverished communication skills and those whose communication skills are developing along the expected continuum.

 

While the project will focus on the Durham LEA area, the framework will be designed to roll out to other LEA areas.

 

Expressions of interest are now being sought from suitably qualified and experienced staff.

 

Applicants must be able to demonstrate excellent communication skills, presentation and project management skills and the ability to work in a self-directed environment and across organisations. Knowledge of current legislation and developments in policy for the future of services for children and young people is essential.

 

A project steering group will provide support and guidance to the project leads to enable them to achieve project outcomes.

 

To register interest in either of these posts send a brief résumé of your current post, and the reasons for your interest in writing to:

 

Nikki Wray

Head of Speech and Language Therapy Services

The Health Centre

Caroline Street

Hartlepool

TS26 9PE

 

For further information contact Nikki Wray Tel. 01429 267901

 

Closing date for expressions of interest Thursday 8th April 2004

 

Go to SLTNorth Advertised Vacancies Index