Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist Autism

Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust; Watford; On-site; GBP 49,000 - 57,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

High cost area allowance

Flexible working (0.8 WTE)

Job summary

Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust in Watford is seeking a Highly Specialist SLT for Autism to support CYP with social communication differences and autism. The role is 0.8 WTE (30 hours) Band 7, based at Peace Children's Centre, leading diagnostics within an MDT and providing specialist clinical leadership to the CYP Therapies service.

The post offers extensive supervision, regular CPD opportunities, and a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Highly specialist knowledge in autism and autism assessment.
• HCPC registered SLT with relevant Master's level training.
• ADOS-2 training is highly desirable.
• Experience in MDT settings and service policy development in autism.

Responsibilities

• Provide highly specialist SLT support for CYP with social communication differences and/or Autism.
• Lead diagnostic assessments within MDT and support parents and professionals.
• Deliver supervision and training to staff and develop clinical governance.
• Contribute to service development and education settings.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Clinical reasoning

Leadership experience

Autism assessment knowledge

Education

HCPC Registration/Licence

Master's level qualification in Autism/SLT

ADOS-2 training desirable

MDT collaboration / Special Interest Groups

Job description

Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist Autism

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.

About us

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 arrangementsto help balance personal and professional life, including up to 5 days of carers leave (pro rata)
• Employee Assistance Programmeoffering 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 Schemewith competitive benefits
• Enhanced sick payabove 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.

Job 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 have 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. Its 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 childrens 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 theres 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

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.

£49,387 to £56,515 a yearper annum pro rata + high cost area living allowance