Job Information
Specialist Assistant for Speech and Language (SASL)
Pay Scale: NCC Band 5
Working Days/ Hours: Term Time Only plus 5 days - 37 hours per week
Do you want a challenging opportunity, if you are dynamic, dedicated and enthusiastic then we want to hear from you.
Who is Northumberland County Council (NCC)?
Northumberland is world renowned as a visitor destination and is also the ideal location to strike a perfect work/life balance. What better way of enjoying the picturesque scenery and stunning coastline than to sample it on an everyday basis?
Our Vision is: “To make Northumberland a county which you regard as a great place to live, and in which you can access the things you enjoy, whilst having the opportunity to learn and thrive”
The Service
The Northumberland Speech Language and Communication Support Service is currently made up of 2 dual qualified Teacher/Speech Therapists, 1 Speech and Language Therapist, 3 Language and Communication Teachers and 8 Specialist Assistants who provide a range of services into schools and settings throughout Northumberland. The day-to-day operational management and organisation of the team is the responsibility of the Lead Practitioner who in turn reports to the High Incidence Needs Team Manager. The service operates from a centralised base in Morpeth working peripatetically into schools and settings across Northumberland.
The role
The Northumberland Speech, Language and Communication Support Service is a peripatetic team working with school staff and multi-disciplinary professionals to assess the needs of learners (predominantly between the ages of 3 and 16 years old) with speech, language and communication needs and subsequently to support the school or setting in the implementation and evaluation of appropriate strategies and approaches. We place a strong emphasis on building capacity within schools through a process of consultation, modelling and training.
The Specialist Assistants for Speech and Language work under the direction of a Specialist Teacher or Speech Therapist to upskill and support staff in schools and settings to meet the needs of children and young people with speech, language and communication needs. This will involve a range of key duties such as:
- Delivering intensive teaching programmes over a time- limited period for pupils with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN)
- Assessing and recording the progress of learners participating in Speech and Language teaching programmes
- Training SEND Support Assistants and Teachers to implement strategies and interventions recommended by the Specialist Teachers/SaLTs within our Service
- Developing resources to support the learning of pupils with speech and language needs
- Work as a member of multi-professional teams and promote inclusion of pupils with SLCN.
We are offering:
- NCC Band 5 pay scale
- Employment on NCC Terms and Conditions
- A comprehensive induction plan
- Continuing professional development opportunities
- Travel expenses
For details of essential and desirable skills and experience applicable to the post, and more detail about the key duties and responsibilities, please see the attached Job Description/Person Specification.
Please note that successful applicants must be able to attend an interview at Northumbria House, Manor Walks Shopping Centre, Cramlington NE23 6UR
Further information
We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. If you wish to notify us of your eligibility for this scheme, please email
hrrecruitment@northumberland.gov.uk or ring 01670 623930 with your name and the job title you have applied for and one of the recruitment team will ensure this is factored into the shortlisting process and kept anonymous.
If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format or would like us to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to attend an interview, please also let the team know. This information will be treated as confidential and will only be used to check that you meet the essential requirements of the post.
Although we advertise on North East Jobs, and other websites, your application process will be directed to our Tribepad system. Please note that all communication regarding your application for this post will be sent to the email address that you have registered on Tribepad, including your invite to interview if you are shortlisted. Please check your emails regularly, including Spam/Junk, after the closing dates for notifications.