Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist Autism

HCT Partnership; Watford; Hybrid; GBP 49,000 - 57,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Flexible working

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work

Job summary

Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust (HCT) is seeking a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (Autism) to join CYP Therapies. The role is 0.8 WTE (30 hours) per week, based at Peace Children’s Centre, Watford, delivering autism assessments and leadership within a multi-disciplinary team.

The post requires expert SLT practice, dedication to autism care, and ability to train colleagues. NHS Band 7 with pro rata high cost area allowance is offered.

Qualifications

• Highly specialist knowledge through degree or equivalent in Autism/Autism Assessment
• HCPC-registered with relevant professional qualifications
• Experience in leadership and supervision within SLT
• ADOS-2 trained – highly desirable

Responsibilities

• Provide highly specialist SLT support for CYP with autism/social communication differences
• Conduct assessments and diagnose Autism within MDT settings
• Lead and mentor community therapists and the wider children’s workforce
• Develop and deliver intervention plans and EHCP-informed services

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Teamwork

Autism knowledge

Education

Master’s level qualification relevant to Autism/Autism Assessment

HCPC registration / postgraduate qualification (MSc/PGDip)

ADOS-2 trained – desirable

Tools

ADOS-2

Job description

Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist Autism

NHS AfC: Band 7

Main area Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist Grade NHS AfC: Band 7 Contract Permanent Hours Part time - 30 hours per week Job ref 812-26-KWCYP40

Site Peace Children's Centre Town Watford Salary £49,387 - £56,515 per annum pro rata + high cost area living allowance Salary period Yearly Closing 11/11/2026 23:59 Interview date 20/11/2026

Job overview

Children and Young People’s (CYP) Therapies at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust (HCT) are delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity for an experienced SLT wishing to take on the role of Highly Specialist SLT for Autism. The role will involve supporting CYP with social communication differences and/or Autism and supporting CYP who are Neurodivergent, in need of assessment. It will also involve working as part of a wider multi-disciplinary team (MDT), undertaking specialist diagnostic assessment across a range of settings, including clinic, school and home.

We are looking to recruit to a 0.8 WTE (30 hours) Band 7 SLT to join our dynamic team of therapists and assistants, to work with us to provide highly specialist clinical support. The postholder will be based at Peace Children’s Centre, Watford, supporting CYP/families/education settings within the local community. They will bring strong skills and experiences to the Multidisciplinary Assessment Team and to our community service.

• Are you an enthusiastic, energetic SLT with developing specialist clinical skills and leadership experience, committed to providing the best outcomes for children and families?
• Do you have a strong interest in Autism and differential diagnosis, and would you like the opportunity to further develop your specialist skills?

If so, this opportunity could be just right for you.

*Proposed Interview date: 20th November 2026*

Main duties of the job

• To provide highly specialist speech and language therapy support for CYP with social communication differences and/or Autism.
• To provide assessment and diagnosis to CYP referred for Autism assessment as part of a multi-disciplinary team, and provide supportive information to parents/carers and professionals.
• To work autonomously and provide highly specialist Speech and Language Therapy leadership and clinical expertise.
• To be a specialist resource to support and develop the skills and expertise of community therapists and the wider children’s workforce through training, joint working and providing professional support for less experienced staff.
• To provide evidence-based intervention plans and management programmes as part of child centred service delivery.
• To demonstrate knowledge of SEND reforms and EHCP planning.

We offer:

• Regular group professional supervision and peer support.
• Regular managerial supervision and a well-established appraisal system.
• Internal and external CPD opportunities such as bitesize tutorials, peer review, CENs.
• A 2 week induction period where you will have the opportunity to observe and shadow colleagues across a range of clinical areas/settings.
• Regular meetings with Clinical Quality Leads and Operational Leads to plan and implement service delivery and service development.

Working for our organisation

We’re delighted that you're exploring a career with HCT. As an organisation, we’re committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and rewarding work environment — one where you’ll feel valued and empowered to make a real difference.

At HCT, we put patients, their families, and carers at the heart of everything we do. Our vision is simple yet powerful: Outstanding Services and Healthier Communities. Our staff are proud to be Caring, Pioneering and Inclusive in their work to help achieve the Trust vision

Working with us comes with a host of benefits designed to support your wellbeing and work-life balance:

• Generous annual leave (27 days rising to 33 with long service)
• Flexible working arrangements to help balance personal and professional life, including up to 5 days of carers leave (pro rata)
• Employee Assistance Programme offering 24/7 confidential support for personal or work-related issues
• Cycle to Work and Car Lease Schemes
• Blue Light Card and NHS Discounts
• Health and wellbeing support , including free flu jabs, Physiotherapy referrals
• Occupational Pension Scheme with competitive benefits
• Enhanced sick pay above statutory entitlements

We celebrate diversity and actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds, ages, and communities to apply.

You’ve taken a fantastic first step by considering HCT. We’re excited about the possibility of welcoming you to our team and taking the next step in your journey with us.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see Job Description attached, which details the responsibilities within this post.

You will be joining an innovative and agile CYP Therapies service committed to delivering high quality care and transforming lives. Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust provides Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Services for families across the county. Our service is jointly commissioned by health and education, allowing us to provide a seamless pathway of care from early years through to schools, specialist provisions and further education settings.

Successful candidates will be enthusiastic and motivated. Advanced communication, clinical reasoning and organisational skills are essential. You must be a team player but be able to work autonomously and have the ability to champion the needs of children and young people through upskilling the wider workforce. As a highly specialist SLT, there will be opportunities for you to facilitate professional supervision groups and provide managerial supervision to less experienced colleagues.

We ha ve worked closely with system partners to redesign and transform the Autism diagnostic pathway. The vision in Hertfordshire is to ensure CYP and their families can access early support, advice, and information with access to the diagnostic pathway where clinically needed in a timely manner. It’s desirable for the postholder to be ADOS-2 trained and/or have experience of Autism Assessment – however, HCT is committed to training the right candidate if needed.

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. Please see below comments from a current member of the team:

“I love working in CYPT/HCT - everyone in the team is super dedicated. There is strong management support, but also space for being flexible and creative to meet children’s needs; innovation & good practice is valued and encouraged. I enjoy & appreciate the robust supervision structures, training in supervision & coaching, and the many opportunities for personal development and learning, including for example in-house training days and tutorials. I have worked in many teams across Hertfordshire, all without exception friendly and welcoming. There is an ethos of peer support and encouragement & sharing learning; everyone works hard but there is a sense of belonging and always time for a quick chat… and plenty of laughs. I feel valued here and I value my lovely colleagues and the fabulous children & young people we work with.”

If you have any questions at all or you would like to come and visit us, please do contact us - we are only too happy to help and would love to tell you more about our Service. Please contact Julie Morris, Clinical Quality Lead for SLT: [e-mail]

Applications for full time and part time work will be considered. 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).

In addition to the basic salary, this post attracts a High Cost Area Supplement of 5% of basic salary subject to a minimum payment of £1,346 and a maximum payment of £2,270 per annum (pro rata where applicable and dependent on base location).

The use of AI is monitored and if you have used it then you are required to declare this, as well as what type of AI tools you have used and for what purpose. We reserve the right to further test your individual knowledge and skills in relation to the requirements for the post through robust and thorough interview and assessment.

For this role you will need to have a full valid UK driving licence and it is essential to have access to a car to use regularly for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010.

If there’s high interest in this role, we may close applications earlier than the advertised deadline — so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Word versions of documents are available if needed to allow for any adaptations to be made i.e. font, colour, background, convert to Read Aloud.

HCT will prioritise recruitment of workers living in England under the new immigration rules for care workers effective from 9 April 2025. Employers must first prove that they have attempted to recruit a worker from within England who needs new sponsorship. This ensures that those who came to the UK to pursue a career in adult social care can do so.

Person specification

Qualifications and Education

• Highly specialist knowledge acquired through degree or equivalent qualifications, further theoretical training and experience to Master’s level equivalent relevant to Autism and Autism Assessment
• Recognised Clinical Degree Qualification or equivalent (Post Graduate Diploma or MSc leading to registration with HCPC)
• HCPC Licence to Practice
• Registered member of Professional Body
• Membership of relevant Special Interest Groups
• ADOS-2 Trained – Highly Desirable

Experience and Knowledge

• Demonstrate experience of working with different professional disciplines and agencies
• Show your knowledge of current safeguarding procedures
• Evidence of involvement in service policy development in area of Autism
• Demonstrate experience of delivering clinical supervision to wide range of staff
• Describe high level clinical skills, including in depth knowledge and understanding of assessment and diagnosis
• Give examples of how you have provided support and second opinions
• Evidence of in-depth experience in specialist area of autism including active networking with other specialists regionally and nationally
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of national policies and procedures relevant to the specialist client group
• Demonstrate understanding of the principles of clinical governance/audit
• Understanding of the roles of other professionals within MDT
• Provide examples of planning and delivering training in area of Autism

Skills and Abilities

• Provide examples of excellent communication skills both oral and written, including the ability to liaise and negotiate
• Demonstrate experiences of communicating and receiving complex and sensitive information, within the diagnostic process
• Demonstrate knowledge of barriers to understanding & ability to explain complex issues simply.
• Provide examples of how positive relationships have formed, and demonstrate the significance of mutual respect
• Describe highly developed interpersonal skills and empathy with clients, carers and other professionals and agencies

Personal Qualities

• Demonstrates ability to be a good team member

We will communicate any interview arrangements with applicants via e-mail so it is advisable that you check the email address you give on your application on a regular basis.

Staff recruited from outside the NHS will usually be appointed at the bottom of the pay band. All new appointments (excluding Medical & Dental roles) are subject to a 26 week probation period.

We are proud to be an armed forces friendly employer and support the employment of the armed forces community, including veterans, spouses and partners. For more information, contact [e-mail]

Applications from qualified job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications, subject to you meeting minimum criteria of the role and salary threshold. Please visit the Gov.UK website for detail.

If applicable to the role, staff are required to hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car to use with business insurance (unless the member of staff has a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).

In submitting an application form, you authorise Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust to confirm any previous NHS service details via the Electronic Staff Record Inter Authority Transfer process should you be appointed to the post.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.