The life of a fully qualified SLT

The life of a fully qualified SLT

Wednesday 28 May 2014

Gemma Biles SLT

For anyone looking for SLT support in the South West, UK region please visit my blog "Gemma Biles SLT" for information regarding my Private SLT practice. 

Feel free to contact me on gemmabiles@googlemail.com with a referral for yourself or a family member regarding speech, language and communication needs.

9 months later...

After completing my last blog post I did not expect it to be so long till my next one...


I have been swept up in the wonderful world of SLT and over the past 9 months have been head down concentrating on completing my Newly Qualified Practitioner competencies.  And I am pleased to say, 7 months in I managed it! Celebration time all round.. I can now use "certMRCSLT" after my name and along with "Ba (hons)" and "MSc" I am overjoyed at the little letters that just about manage to convey the blood sweat and tears that went into achieving them.



A resource I made for the classrooms to support time concepts
I have been lucky enough to work with a wonderful bunch of children and young adults, engaging in 1:1 direct therapy on a daily basis, and indirectly working with adapting the environment and supporting Teachers and Teaching Assistants.  A job in education has been a step I never expected on my path, with the view of SLT being NHS based.  But I have learnt much more about the education system by being in it than I would have in a NHS setting, I have been able to apply this knowledge to make my work more effective, and being on site to be called on at the drop of a hat is a huge benefit to these children's day to day school life.

I've learnt a lot about management also, with an assistant to manage, as well as being the lead SLT in the school - it's been a big jump in the deep end that's for sure! I've created school development plans as well as individual therapy plans, and contributed to pupil voice through the school council. I've liaised far and wide to ensure the pupils are supported in all their transitions, into the school from Early Years and supported leaving the school at 19+.

On a typical day I get to engage in 5 half n hour slots of direct therapy, I create resources, or plan resources with my assistant.  I attend a meeting or two, usually in regards to a specific pupil, but often as a general school discussion and update.  I write reports, contact parents and wider MDT professionals.  I pop my head into classes and observe as much as I can between seeing pupils, and on occasion I take communication groups with the older end of the school working on social skills.  If I am particularly lucky I get to go out of school for training - of which I have undertaken a lot this year so far. From 8.45am till home time I am never without something to do, and even from the challenging behaviour to the hugs the children make it worth it every moment.


Just one of the resources I have made for the staff room
 
For any SLT students reading this, the first year of a job is a whirlwind. Believe people when they say it's going to be hard. But also believe them when they say it's going to be worth it!! Enjoy every second, even the hard bits - because they make you stronger. A job as an SLT has always been my dream, and dreams do come true - and they're fabulous when they do!

If anyone has any questions about my job role, life as an NQT or anything else - please leave a comment!