Specialist SLT special schools Haringey

Whittington Hospital NHS Trust; Tottenham; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Whittington Health NHS Trust is seeking a Band 6 Speech and Language Therapist to work with children and young people (11–19) with complex communication needs in specialist schools. The post involves delivering S&L therapy within a total communication approach, in partnership with families, schools and a multidisciplinary team.

The role offers a 37.5-hour week fixed-term contract for 6 months, with opportunities to supervise students and develop specialist expertise.

Qualifications

• HCPC registration and RCSLT membership required.
• Experience with complex communication needs and dysphasia/dysphagia is essential.
• Experience within school or education settings is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Manage a specialist caseload of 11-19 year olds with speech, language and swallowing difficulties.
• Assess, diagnose, implement and review therapy interventions.
• Collaborate with families, education staff and multidisciplinary teams.
• Support transition planning between educational settings.
• Provide training and support to school staff and carers.
• Maintain accurate clinical records and reports.
• Contribute to service development, audits and CPD.
• Supervise students, assistants and junior staff.
• Ensure safe eating and drinking practices (dysphagia).
• Participate in safeguarding and governance.
• Deliver and monitor therapy programs with outcomes focus.
• Support EHCNAs and education, health and care planning.

Skills

Speech & Language Therapy

Autism spectrum

AAC

Dysphagia

Team collaboration

Education setting experience

Education

HCPC registration

RCSLT membership

Degree in Speech and Language Therapy

Job description

Are you a passionate Speech & Language Therapist looking to make a real difference to the lives of children and young people with complex needs?

Join our innovative Special schools team, supporting students aged 11-19 across specialist secondary schools. You'll work with young people with autism, learning disabilities, physical needs and complex communication difficulties, helping them achieve their full potential through a total communication approach.

This is a fantastic opportunity to develop specialist skills in areas including AAC, dysphagia, autism, language development, speech disorders and safeguarding, with dedicated supervision from highly experienced senior clinicians.

What you'll do:

• Manage a varied and rewarding caseload in specialist school settings
• Deliver assessment, intervention and therapy programmes for communication and eating/drinking needs
• Work collaboratively with families, education professionals and multidisciplinary colleagues
• Support young people through key transition stages
• Deliver training and advice to school staff and carers
• Contribute to service development, quality improvement and clinical innovation

What we offer:

• Full-time role, 37.5 hours per week for a fixed term 6 months contract
• Opportunities to supervise students and develop specialist expertise

If you're HCPC and RCSLT registered, motivated by collaborative working and committed to improving outcomes for children with complex needs, we'd love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

• Manage a caseload of children and young people (11-19 years) with complex communication, learning, physical and/or autism-related needs.
• Assess, diagnose, plan and deliver speech and language therapy interventions for communication needs and eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties.
• Work directly with students in both individual and classroom settings using a total communication approach.
• Develop, monitor and review therapy programmes, care plans and communication targets, ensuring interventions are tailored to individual needs.
• Support safe eating and drinking practices and provide specialist advice on dysphagia where appropriate.
• Provide training, advice and support to families, carers, school staff and other professionals to promote effective communication and positive outcomes.
• Work collaboratively with education, health and social care professionals as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Contribute to Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments (EHCNAs) and support students through key transition stages.
• Maintain accurate clinical records, produce reports and meet professional and service standards.
• Participate in service development, clinical audits, quality improvement initiatives and ongoing professional development.
• Support and supervise students, assistants and less experienced colleagues where required.

About us

Whittington Health NHS Trust is a progressive and integrated healthcare organisation providing hospital and community services across North London. We are committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate care that puts patients, families and communities at the centre of everything we do. Our staff work collaboratively across health, education and social care services to improve outcomes and reduce inequalities. We foster an inclusive, supportive and innovative working environment where professional development, wellbeing and continuous improvement are actively encouraged. Joining Whittington Health offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference while working within a diverse organisation that values respect, excellence, collaboration and sustainability.

Job responsibilities

Job Title: Band 6 Speech and Language Therapist - Complex Needs & Special Schools Department: Children and Young Peoples Services Base: Special Schools (11-19 years) Reports to: Lead Speech and Language Therapist, Special Schools

The post holder will provide specialist Speech and Language Therapy services for children and young people aged 11-19 years with complex communication needs, including autism, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, and eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties. Working as part of the Complex Needs Team, the therapist will assess, diagnose, plan and deliver evidence-based interventions within special school settings, supporting pupils through key transition stages.

The post holder will manage a defined caseload, develop individual therapy programmes, provide advice and training to families and education staff, and contribute to multidisciplinary care planning. They will promote effective communication and safe eating and drinking practices, maintain accurate clinical records, and work collaboratively with health, education and social care professionals.

The role requires sound clinical judgement, a commitment to professional development, participation in service improvement activities, and adherence to safeguarding, professional, and organisational standards. The post holder will receive regular clinical supervision and contribute to student placements, training, and service development initiatives.

Main Responsibilities

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Title: Band 6 Speech and Language Therapist - Complex Needs & Special Schools Department: Children and Young Peoples Services Base: Special Schools (11-19 years) Reports to: Lead Speech and Language Therapist, Special Schools

The post holder will provide specialist Speech and Language Therapy services for children and young people aged 11-19 years with complex communication needs, including autism, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, and eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties. Working as part of the Complex Needs Team, the therapist will assess, diagnose, plan and deliver evidence-based interventions within special school settings, supporting pupils through key transition stages.

The post holder will manage a defined caseload, develop individual therapy programmes, provide advice and training to families and education staff, and contribute to multidisciplinary care planning. They will promote effective communication and safe eating and drinking practices, maintain accurate clinical records, and work collaboratively with health, education and social care professionals.

The role requires sound clinical judgement, a commitment to professional development, participation in service improvement activities, and adherence to safeguarding, professional, and organisational standards. The post holder will receive regular clinical supervision and contribute to student placements, training, and service development initiatives.

Main Responsibilities

• Manage and prioritise a specialist caseload of children and young people with speech, language, communication and swallowing difficulties.
• Assess, diagnose, implement and review therapy interventions, ensuring care is evidence-based and outcomes focused.
• Support pupils with complex needs including autism, learning disabilities, physical disabilities and dysphagia.
• Work collaboratively with families, education staff and multidisciplinary professionals to plan and deliver coordinated care.
• Provide specialist advice, training and support to school staff, carers and other professionals to promote effective communication and safe eating and drinking practices.
• Contribute to Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments and provide written reports and recommendations in a timely manner.
• Facilitate successful transition planning between educational settings and into adulthood where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate clinical records, outcome measures, activity data and reports in line with professional and organisational standards.
• Participate in clinical supervision, continuing professional development, peer support and reflective practice activities.
• Contribute to service development, quality improvement, audit and research activities within the Special Schools and Complex Needs Service.
• Support, supervise and contribute to the learning of students, assistants and less experienced staff as required.
• Comply with safeguarding, information governance, health and safety, and professional registration requirements at all times.

Person Specification

• Degree, Diploma or MSc in Speech and Language Therapy with current HCPC registration and RCSLT membership.
• Knowledge and experience of working with Students who have an SEMH background
• Knowledge and experience of working with Students who have dysphagia
• Experience of working with children and young people with complex speech, language and communication needs, including AAC, learning disabilities and/or physical difficulties.
• Ability to speak an additional language, particularly Turkish or a West African language.
• Ability to assess, diagnose and manage complex communication and dysphagia needs, working collaboratively with families, schools and multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience of clinical audit and an understanding of clinical governance.
• Degree, Diploma or MSc in Speech and Language Therapy with current HCPC registration and RCSLT membership.
• Experience of working with children and young people with complex speech, language and communication needs, including AAC, learning disabilities and/or physical difficulties.
• Ability to assess, diagnose and manage complex communication and dysphagia needs, working collaboratively with families, schools and multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience of clinical audit and an understanding of clinical governance.
• Well‑established knowledge of a range of therapeutic interventions relevant to children and young people with complex communication needs.
• Ability to speak an additional language, particularly Turkish or a West African language.
• Knowledge and experience of working with Students who have an SEMH background

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.

£45,953 to £54,254 a yearper annum inclusive HCAS pro rata