Band 7 Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist

NHS; Welwyn Garden City; Hybrid; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A health service provider in Welwyn Garden City is seeking a highly specialist speech and language therapist to support communication needs of children and young people. The role offers flexibility for full-time or part-time work. Responsibilities include delivering therapy, working with families, and supporting a multi-disciplinary team. Strong communication and clinical skills are essential. The position offers competitive salary alongside various support initiatives for staff growth.

Benefits

Half-termly group supervision

Dedicated managerial supervision

CPD opportunities

Structured appraisal process

Supportive induction

Qualifications

• Substantial clinical experience with children and young people with SEND.
• Experience of effective co-production with service users.
• In-depth knowledge of the Children and Families Act 2014 and SEN Code of Practice.

Responsibilities

• Deliver therapy provision for children with Education Health and Care Plans.
• Carry out in-depth assessments and act as a witness at SEND appeal tribunals.
• Support less experienced therapists and contribute to annual reviews.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Clinical reasoning

Organisational skills

Negotiation skills

Education

Recognised Speech & Language Therapy Degree Qualification

Registered to practice with HCPC

Job description

Job summary

Do you have a passion for supporting the communication needs of Children and Young People (CYP) with Special Educational Needs? Would you like the opportunity to deliver therapy provision for CYP with Education Health and Care Plans (EHCP), and develop service relationships with their families?

We are thrilled to offer an exciting opportunity to join our dynamic Children and Young People's (CYP) Therapies Service as a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist. The post-holder would have a dedicated therapy caseload, as well as opportunities to support the wider team work with families of CYP with EHCPs. You would work closely with the existing service lead for SEND appeals, as many of the families you will be supporting will have been through the SEND appeal process.

We are looking for 2 motivated and experienced Band 7 Speech and Language Therapists to join our growing team of therapists and therapy assistants. This role can be offered on a full-time or part-time basis and will involve supporting CYP across Hertfordshire (base can be agreed for successful candidate).

If you're passionate about making a real difference in children's lives and working in a collaborative, forward-thinking environment, we'd love to hear from you.

*Proposed interview date: 08-August- 2025*

Main duties of the job

You will be joining a well-established, supportive team of therapists and assistants. CYP Therapies at HCT pride ourselves on the support we provide to staff.

Your role will include:

• Extending the service's support for CYP and their families following SEND appeals through the delivery of therapy provision
• Multidisciplinary working and working closely with Local Authority leads.
• Carrying out in depth assessments, providing reports and acting as a Witness at SEND appeal tribunals.
• Working closely with the Resolution and Reconciliation Lead, including deputising when requested.
• Supporting less experienced therapists to deliver interventions and contribute to annual reviews for children with SEND appeals or following resolution.

What We Offer

We believe in supporting our staff to grow, thrive and feel connected--professionally and personally. Here's what you can expect:

• Half-termly group supervision and regular peer support
• Dedicated managerial supervision and a structured appraisal process
• CPD opportunities, including bitesize tutorials and peer review
• A supportive two-week induction with time to observe and shadow team members
• Access to a named buddy to help you settle into the team

About us

A big thank you for considering joining us at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust

You'll find it a great place to work with many benefits offered to you as a member of our staff

We put our patients, their families and carers at the centre of our vision - OutstandingServices and Healthier Communities

Our staff are proud to be Innovative, Caring and Agile in their work to help achieve the Trustvision

We welcome diversity in our workforce and are interested in applicants from allbackgrounds

We don't want you to miss out so we'd like you to know that if we have a high level ofinterest in this role, the vacancy may close prior to the advertised closing date, so pleasemake your application as soon as possible - Apply now

You've made a great decision to apply to join to HCT - we're looking forward to taking thenext steps of the journey with you.

Details Date posted

29 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

812-25-KWCYP27-B

Job locations

Howard Court

14 Tewin Road

Welwyn Garden City

AL7 1BW

Job description Job responsibilities

For a full overview of the role and responsibilities, please refer to the attached Job Description.

Were looking for an enthusiastic, motivated clinician with strong communication, clinical reasoning, and organisational skills. You'll be a team player with the confidence to work autonomously and advocate for the needs of CYP. You'll provide professional and managerial supervision to less experienced colleagues, supporting their development and confidence.

In addition to the basic salary, this post attracts a High Cost Area Supplement of 5% of basic salary subject to a maximum payment of £1,915 per annum (pro rata where applicable and dependent on base location).

A full, valid driving licence and regular access to a car for business purposes is essential (unless you are covered under the Equality Act 2010).

HCT encourages all staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19, in line with current guidance, to help protect our patients, communities, and colleagues.

Interview date set for: 8th August 2025

Job description Job responsibilities

For a full overview of the role and responsibilities, please refer to the attached Job Description.

Were looking for an enthusiastic, motivated clinician with strong communication, clinical reasoning, and organisational skills. You'll be a team player with the confidence to work autonomously and advocate for the needs of CYP. You'll provide professional and managerial supervision to less experienced colleagues, supporting their development and confidence.

In addition to the basic salary, this post attracts a High Cost Area Supplement of 5% of basic salary subject to a maximum payment of £1,915 per annum (pro rata where applicable and dependent on base location).

A full, valid driving licence and regular access to a car for business purposes is essential (unless you are covered under the Equality Act 2010).

HCT encourages all staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19, in line with current guidance, to help protect our patients, communities, and colleagues.

Interview date set for: 8th August 2025

Person Specification Qualifications and Training Essential

• Recognised Speech & Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent (Post Graduate Diploma or MSc in Speech & Language Therapy)
• Evidence of post qualifying training and/or equivalent experience to maintain and develop highly specialist knowledge in area of specialism
• Registered to practice with Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC)
• Registered member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, Membership of relevant CEN

Experience and Knowledge Essential

• Substantial clinical experience of the needs of children and young people with SEND
• Experience of effective co-production (including service users and/or their representatives) analysing their views and needs and jointly agreeing positive outcomes for children and young people with SEND
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the Children and Families Act 2014 and SEN Code of Practice 0-25 (2014)
• Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of children's services at both a local and national level
• Experience of the Education, Health and Care planning process and pathway and SEND Appeals and of undertaking highly complex assessments.
• Understanding of SEND Appeals and Tribunal Process

Desirable

• Experience of attendance and representation at SEND Tribunals

Skills and abilities Essential

• Advanced oral and written communication at a high standard and strong negotiation skills to manage conflict and challenging situations.
• Able to respond to the learning style of others and demonstrate flexibility in own leadership style.
• Evaluates own performance through reflection, demonstrating own continuous learning and improvement
• Able to switch between different techniques and models of service delivery within a short space of time.
• Shows emotional intelligence and personal resilience.
• Manages own time and priorities autonomously

Other Essential

• Hold a full valid driving licence and access to a car to use regularly for business purposes is essential (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).

Person Specification Qualifications and Training Essential

• Recognised Speech & Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent (Post Graduate Diploma or MSc in Speech & Language Therapy)
• Evidence of post qualifying training and/or equivalent experience to maintain and develop highly specialist knowledge in area of specialism
• Registered to practice with Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC)
• Registered member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, Membership of relevant CEN

Experience and Knowledge Essential

• Substantial clinical experience of the needs of children and young people with SEND
• Experience of effective co-production (including service users and/or their representatives) analysing their views and needs and jointly agreeing positive outcomes for children and young people with SEND
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the Children and Families Act 2014 and SEN Code of Practice 0-25 (2014)
• Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of children's services at both a local and national level
• Experience of the Education, Health and Care planning process and pathway and SEND Appeals and of undertaking highly complex assessments.
• Understanding of SEND Appeals and Tribunal Process

Desirable

• Experience of attendance and representation at SEND Tribunals

Skills and abilities Essential

• Advanced oral and written communication at a high standard and strong negotiation skills to manage conflict and challenging situations.
• Able to respond to the learning style of others and demonstrate flexibility in own leadership style.
• Evaluates own performance through reflection, demonstrating own continuous learning and improvement
• Able to switch between different techniques and models of service delivery within a short space of time.
• Shows emotional intelligence and personal resilience.
• Manages own time and priorities autonomously

Other Essential

• Hold a full valid driving licence and access to a car to use regularly for business purposes is essential (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details Employer name

Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust

Address

Howard Court

14 Tewin Road

Welwyn Garden City

AL7 1BW

Employer's website

https://www.hct.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust

Address

Howard Court

14 Tewin Road

Welwyn Garden City

AL7 1BW

Employer's website

https://www.hct.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)