About Us 

Ochil Tower School offers a unique, person-centred approach to caring for and educating children and young people with complex additional support needs.  

Based on a picturesque seven-acre campus, we are a non-denominational residential school for children and young people aged 8 to 18. Our 52-week provision provides consistency, stability, and opportunity for learning throughout the year.

Most of the young people at Ochil Tower School have experienced a disrupted and fractured education, and have been referred to the school because it has a reputation for successfully meeting the needs of young people who have been unable to access other educational resources. The majority of learners are at the Early and First levels of Curriculum for Excellence. In response to the pupils' high social and educational needs, the school focuses on creating imaginative and flexible approaches to develop self esteem, confidence and an interest in broad learning and educational aims. This is facilitated by a flexible social pedagogical approach which combines care and education as mutually affecting arenas of lifelong learning. It is the task of the educator to recognise and build on the individual strengths of each young person and use their interests to help them engage in their learning. We are a Camphill community which incorporates the ethos of Waldorf education and Camphill values into our 24h curriculum which is based on the principles of Curriculum for Excellence.

The Role 

We are seeking a motivated, creative and skilled individual to provide individual and where appropriate group speech and language therapy to all our young people with complex additional support needs of mixed abilities and ages. Initial and ongoing assessments, provide written  documentation, advice to staff, carers, parents and others as required are an integral part of this role. 

Our delivery of education, care and therapy is highly individualized for each young person.

You will plan and deliver individual weekly sessions which may need to be adapted at short notice and work independently with each young person. You will have experience with both low and high tech AAC and in setting up your own resources, whilst also providing resources for teachers, care staff or parents. You will oversee and keep up to date communication passports and expressive skills charts as required and complete talking mats with the young people in preparation for their upcoming reviews. You will advise teachers, parents and staff on Makaton signs for various topics and projects.

You will work closely with the education and care team that supports each young person to ensure a holistic approach to any interventions across both the school and the home setting

You will be resilient, robust, flexible, creative and reflective on your practice and will engage in Continuous Professional Development, with the objective of delivering the best possible outcomes for all young people. You will be capable of addressing a variety of challenging behaviours in an imaginative and supportive manner to create a safe, nurturing and stable environment. You will know how to set limits and boundaries whilst being able to recognise each young person’s own limits. 

If you think you are the person we are looking for and are interested, please provide a cover letter with a personal statement summarising your skills and experience, along with your CV. 

Qualifications

• Degree in speech and Language therapy and pathology (SCQF Level 9)

Desirable:

• PGCert/Dipin Inclusive Practice or equivalent 
• Knowledge and experience of using a wide range of augmentative communication 

Registration

• HCPC – Health and Care Professional Council
• RCSLT- Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists 

Experience 

• Experience in assessing and diagnosing young people with a learning disability and communication difficulties 
• Experience in working with young people/adults with autism, intellectual disability and challenging behaviour
• Well established knowledge of a range of appropriate interventions relevant young people/adults with a learning disability and communication difficulties 

What we offer

• 24 hours per week over 39 weeks a year
• £21,870 annual salary 
• 7 weeks holiday pro rata and 6 weeks not required to work (unpaid)
• Enhanced sick pay
• Enhanced maternity leave
• Cycle to work scheme
• Opportunity to develop professional skills and knowledge
• Workplace pension scheme
• Casual dress