Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist for early years & primary settings

Barnet Council; Greater London; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

BARNET Education and Learning Service is seeking a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join the ELSEC team. The role focuses on workforce development and capacity building across Barnet's early years settings and primary schools, aiming to improve outcomes for children with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN).

The postholder will help develop, implement and evaluate sustainable approaches that empower education staff and families to meet children’s language needs, with

Responsibilities

• Focus on workforce development, capacity building and systems change rather than direct therapy.
• Support development, implementation and evaluation of sustainable approaches enabling education staff and families to meet children's SLCN needs.

Job description

Job Description

BELS is seeking a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join the Early Language Support for Every Child (ELSEC) team.

ELSEC is an innovative programme that launched in June 2024 to improve outcomes for children with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN). The programme is delivered by a team of Speech and Language Therapy Assistants and senior Speech and Language Therapists who provide training, coaching and consultation to education staff across Barnet's early years settings and primary schools. The programme aims to build the confidence, knowledge and capacity of education staff to identify and support children's language development, creating sustainable change beyond the duration of direct involvement.

This role focuses on workforce development, capacity building and systems change, rather than the provision of ongoing direct therapy. The postholder will support the development, implementation and evaluation of sustainable approaches that enable education staff and families to better meet the needs of children with speech, language and communication needs.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our dynamic, friendly and supportive team that are dedicated to providing a high-quality service to schools and settings.

Successful candidates will be joining a creative and highly skilled team that is well-regarded and valued by schools and services across Barnet. You will benefit from a supportive senior leadership team committed to promoting the wellbeing of staff and work-life balance, ongoing training and development.

Closing date for applications: midnight 19th November 2026

Interviews will be held week commencing 30th November 2026

Barnet Education and Learning Service is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. An enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) with barred list check is required for all successful applicants. In addition, if this post is likely to come under the requirements of the Childcare (Disqualification) 2009 Regulations, the successful applicant will be required to declare.

We are committed to practising in ways that are equitable, anti-racist and culturally responsive and we welcome candidates who share this commitment. We have developed an equity and anti-racism policy which outlines our values and actions in this area including ongoing CPD and offering support to our school community. Recruitment of a diverse workforce that is representative of the community we serve is part of our ongoing commitment and is embedded in this policy and therefore, we welcome applicants who are underrepresented in our profession.