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Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust; Chichester; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Specialist Speech & Language Therapist to join the Preschool Complex Needs Team in the Chichester locality. The post supports children with complex needs, especially autism, within a child development centre and preschool settings.

A Band 5 development position on a two-year fixed-term contract or a permanent Band 6 role is available. You will manage your own caseload, deliver assessment, therapy, advice and training, and work closely with the

Qualifications

• Experience with preschool children with complex needs, especially autism.
• Band 5 or 6 experience in speech and language therapy.
• Ability to develop strong working relationships with health and early years staff.

Responsibilities

• Manage your own caseload of preschool children with speech, language and communication delay and disorder.
• Provide assessment, therapy, advice and training as required.
• Collaborate with the Speech and Language Therapy Assistant and other professionals.

Skills

Preschool experience

Autism knowledge

Caseload management

Job description

Specialist Speech & Language Therapist | Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust

Come and join our supportive and friendly speech and language therapy team in Chichester locality which is on the beautiful West Sussex coast, with easy access to Portsmouth, Brighton, London and the South Downs.

Due to the retirement of the current postholder we are seeking a therapist to join our busy Preschool Complex Needs Team who work within a child development centre and across preschool settings. We are looking for a confident therapist who is ready to build on their previous Band 5 or 6 experience with preschool children with complex needs, especially in the field of autism, and who is eager to make a positive contribution to our hardworking team.

We are offering either a permanent Band 6 position for an experienced therapist, or a Band 5 development position on a two-year fixed-term contract. The Band 5 role will provide the opportunity to develop your skills and experience, with the opportunity to apply for a Band 6 position at the end of the two-year period.

You will be led and supported by our highly experienced and approachable clinical lead who will share with you their passion for delivering clinical excellence. In addition to opportunities for CPD we have a clear supervision structure.

This post includes ring fenced sessions supporting children in a Nursery Specialist Support Centre.

You will be responsible for managing your own caseload, providing assessment, therapy, advice and training as required, you will also have the opportunity to work closely with our Speech and Language Therapy Assistant. An ability to develop strong working relationships with other health and early years education staff is essential.

Please note: Due to recent changes in UK immigration and visa rules, this role may not be eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be considered. Candidates requiring sponsorship should review the eligibility criteria on thegov.uk websitebefore applying to assess their eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role.

Skilled Worker visa: going rates for eligible occupation codes - GOV.UK

Health and Care Worker visa: If you’ll need to meet different salary requirements - GOV.UK

We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex, with 6,000 staff serving 1.3 million people. We deliver essential care to adults and children, helping them manage their health, avoid hospital admissions, and reduce hospital stays.

Our Trust vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community. We offer opportunities across medical, clinical, support, and corporate services.

Why work for us?

• Positive 2024 NHS Staff Survey results, highlighting compassionate leadership and wellbeing
• Varied environments: community hospitals, patients’ homes, and bases across Sussex
• Flexible working options: part-time, flexi-time, annualised hours, and flexi-retirement
• Excellent training, development, and research opportunities
• Cost-effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove, and Brighton
• Active EMBRACE, Disability & Wellbeing, LGBTQIA+, and Religion & Belief networks
• Level 3 Disability Confident Leader and Veteran Aware Trust
• Beautiful Sussex location near the South Downs and coast

Our values—Compassionate Care, Working Together, Achieving Ambitions, Delivering Excellence—guide everything we do.

We embrace diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from ethnically diverse, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. We aim to create an inclusive environment and support reasonable adjustments during recruitment.

This post may close early if sufficient applications are received.

To assess and manage your own caseload of preschool children with speech, language and communication delay and disorder.

To provide advice to other professionals and parents in order to support the needs of children with speech, language and communication delay and disorder.

To liaise with other agencies and services e.g. preschools, social care, and voluntary agencies.

To advise and provide clinical support to other therapists.