SLT Practice Development Lead for SLT Assistants

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

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider is seeking a Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) Practice Development Lead to support the training of new SLT Assistants. The role involves collaboration with clinical supervisors and developing training programs. We offer a supportive environment, competitive pay between £47,810 and £54,710 per year, and a range of benefits, including generous leave and health support. This position is fixed term for 12 months, based in Welwyn Garden City, and we encourage applications from diverse backgrounds.

Benefits

Generous annual leave (27 days rising to 33)

Flexible working arrangements

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work and Car Lease Schemes

NHS Discounts

Health and wellbeing support

Occupational Pension Scheme

Enhanced sick pay

Qualifications

• Experience in paediatric Speech and Language Therapy.
• Postgraduate training in specialized fields.
• Evidence of Continued Professional Development.

Responsibilities

• Support and develop SLTAs for a robust workforce.
• Collaborate with colleagues to create training.
• Provide specialist Speech and Language Therapy assessments.

Skills

Clinical reasoning

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Team player

Problem-solving skills

Education

Degree in Speech and Language Therapy

Registered with HCPC and RCSLT

Job description

SLT Practice Development Lead for SLT Assistants

Fantastic things are happening in Hertfordshire and you could be part of it!

Due to additional investment into our Children's Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) service, we are offering an amazing fixed term Band 7 opportunity, for an experienced, motivated and innovative SLT to join our growing team. The post is a Practice Development Lead and the postholder will be responsible for supporting the training and development of new Speech and Language Therapy Assistants (SLTAs) coming in to the service. An essential part of the role will be working closely with clinical supervisors, line managers and operational leads, to ensure new staff are supported in their development.

The post is fixed term for 12 months and is Hertfordshire wide and open to Band 6/Band 7 SLTs.

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. We have excellent joint working relationships with our partners in education and a wide range of stakeholders, and we work in partnership with them to deliver interventions at Universal, Targeted and Specialist levels across Hertfordshire. This successful working relationship has helped contribute towards us being awarded with new investment.

If you're enthusiastic about making a real difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

• Support the learning & development of SLTAs, to develop and deliver a resilient and capable workforce.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across CYP therapies and relevant partners to develop and deliver training to upskill the new SLTA workforce.
• Ensure learning and development opportunities for staff reflect current and future focused skills and develop the necessary skills, competencies and experience that the service needs to achieve it's objectives, considering NICE guidelines, RCSLT, HCPC Standards, SEND, national/regional/local policies.
• Working as an autonomous practitioner, providing a highly specialist Speech and Language Therapy assessment, intervention, and advice service for children & young people (CYP).
• To work within a multidisciplinary team, working with other health and education professional.

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

• A structured induction period
• Regular group supervision, managerial supervision and a well-established appraisal system
• CPD opportunities such as Bitesize tutorials, peer review and locally hosted CENs to help develop clinical knowledge and skills
• Opportunities to develop leadership skills and to supervise less experienced members of staff
• Regular clinical support groups, team meetings, team development days
• Support through a preceptorship programme in the first few months of working
• Access to mentoring and coaching support if needed

About us

Thank You for Considering a Role at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust.

Why Join Us?

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 dedicated staff take pride in being Innovative, Caring, and Agile, working together to turn this vision into reality.

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, eye care vouchers, etc
• 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.

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.

Job responsibilities

Please see job description which is attached to this advert.

Are you an energetic, self-motivated, adaptable and innovative SLT? Do you have a passion and commitment to supporting the development of staff, which in turn helps us to achieve positive outcomes for CYP with speech, language and communication needs? If so, we would welcome your application. If you think you are interested in applying, we welcome informal conversations and informal visits, so please do get in touch. You can contact Anneka Wilson or Julie Morris, Clinical Quality Leads for SLT by using this email address: [e-mail]

Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust provides integrated Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Services for families across the county of Hertfordshire. Our CYPT integrated service provides opportunities for joint working and training, and shared learning amongst each profession.

The Childrens Therapies service in Hertfordshire is long established, and we have a reputation for being forward thinking and committed to ongoing service improvement. We embrace change and are driven by the evidence base ensuring we are delivering functional, communication friendly practice using neuro-affirming approaches.

Successful candidates will need have good communication, clinical reasoning and organisational skills. You must be a team player but be able to work autonomously and have the ability to champion the needs of CYP.

A staff member who has recently joined the CYP Therapies service has said the following:

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.

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£1,303 and a maximum payment of £2,198 per annum pro rata(pro rata where applicable and dependent on base location)

Whilst it is not a legal requirement, Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust encourages and supports all its staff to be vaccinated as this remains the best line of defence against COVID-19

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.

Interview date set for 13th January 2026.

Person Specification

Skills and Experience

• 1. Band 6/Band 7 Speech and Language Therapist
• 2. Degree or equivalent in Speech and Language Therapy with experience and highly specialist knowledge in paediatric Speech and Language Therapy acquired through further theoretical training and experience to Master's level or equivalent in required speciality
• 3. To be a registered with HCPC and RCSLT
• 4. Continued Professional Development evidenced by attendance at postgraduate courses to maintain and develop own specialist knowledge and expertise
• 5. Supervision/Clinical Educators Course attendance
• 6. Experience in developing and delivering specialist training
• 7. In depth and expert knowledge of a range of appropriate assessment tools and therapeutic interventions relevant to the service
• 8. Excellent interpersonal skills including observation, listening and empathy skills
• 9. Effective problem-solving and organisational skill, including time and self-management skills.

Other

• 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.

£47,810 to £54,710 a yearper annum, pro rata