Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

ESSEX PARTNERSHIP UNIVERSITY NHS FOUNDATION TRUST; Hadleigh; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Essex is seeking a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to provide communication support for children with speech and language difficulties. This full-time, permanent position aims to develop specialist skills in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) within a supportive community clinic environment. Candidates should have experience working with children and be able to manage an independent caseload. This role includes opportunities for supervision and progression to a higher band role.

Benefits

27 days holiday plus bank holidays

Excellent pension scheme

£8K relocation package

Flexible working arrangements

Staff discounts and benefits

Qualifications

• 2 years of experience in a band 5 role delivering communication support to children.
• Experience managing an independent caseload.
• Ability to develop specialist skills in ASD under supervision.

Responsibilities

• Manage and deliver specialist service to children (0-18) with communication difficulties.
• Develop specialist skills for children with suspected or identified ASD.
• Provide supervision for junior staff or SLT assistants.

Skills

Communication support

Experience with children

Supervision skills

Triage interventions

Education

Signed off RCSLT NQP competencies

Royal College of Speech & Language Therapist competencies

Job description

Specialist Speech and Language Therapist – ASD Focus – Community Clinics

We are looking for a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to deliver communication support to children across three community clinics in the Castlepoint & Rochford area. In addition this role will provide a development opportunity in the area of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) under the supervision of the service's Highly Specialist SLTs for ASD.

Role Type and Bands

This full‑time, permanent role would be applicable to an established Band 5 SLT looking to develop a specialist interest in the area of ASD in addition to progressing into a Band 6 community clinic role. Alternatively the role would be applicable to an established Band 6 SLT who is interested in additional support to develop specialist skills in the area of ASD.

Key Responsibilities

• To manage and deliver a specialist service to children (0‑18) with speech, language and communication difficulties across community clinic bases.
• To develop specialist skills and hold cases for children with suspected or identified ASD under the oversight of Highly Specialist SLTs for ASD.
• To provide supervision for more junior staff (band 5 or SLT assistants) as requested by the head of service.
• To develop skills to deliver face‑to‑face / video‑conference triage interventions as part of the service rota for triage appointments.
• As a newly appointed employee, you are responsible for incurring the cost of your initial DBS check relevant to your post; the amount will be deducted from your first salary with the Trust.

Qualifications and Experience

• Must have signed off RCSLT NQP competencies for at least 2 years.
• Must have completed and signed off Royal College of Speech & Language Therapist newly qualified therapist competencies for at least 2 years.
• Must have experience of working with children with speech/language delay/disorder and managing an independent caseload at a band 5 level for at least 24 months.

Additional Information

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer. We particularly welcome applications from people with experience of using mental health services. We also hold the Disability two‑tick symbol and have pledged to commit to employing more people with learning disabilities; we encourage people with a disability to apply. If you require this application form in another format (i.e., Braille or audio tape, etc.), please contact the Recruitment Department on 01375 364513 or email [email protected] and we can arrange for this to be dispatched to you.

The Trust has the right to expire vacancies prior to the closing date if they so wish. The Trust makes every attempt to contact all applicants and we strongly advise that you check the email account which is registered with NHS Jobs regularly. However, due to the high number of applications we receive, if you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expect all staff to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to robust safer recruitment processes.

Important Notice: Recently the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2021 (the Regulations) which amended on 22 July 2021 and come into force on 11 November 2021 that anyone directly employed to work in a Care Home or who are required as part of their role to be deployed to a CQC registered care home are required to have had both their COVID vaccinations, unless they are exempt. This is therefore a requirement of this role and will form part of our pre‑employment checks.

If you are formally at risk within the organisation you will be given priority in securing alternative employment. Should it come to light that a post being advertised by the Trust is considered ‘suitable alternative employment’ to an individual who is at risk, the recruiting manager will be advised and the post will be withdrawn from NHS Jobs.

About the Trust

Our Trust cares for more than 100,000 patients at any one time across our community health, mental health and learning disability services across Essex and parts of Bedfordshire and Suffolk. We want you to be part of our journey of transformation, where our patients and their families are at the heart of everything we do and to achieve our vision to be the leading health and wellbeing service in the provision of mental health and community care.

You'll be part of a Trust where you will be supported to be your authentic self and be the best you can be, where we will help you to grow, develop and thrive. The Trust is recognised by the University of Essex and is a top provider of apprenticeships for people looking to be an assistant practitioner, senior health care support worker (CAP). Our trailblazing CAP apprenticeship won a national HSJ Award. We are also recognised as a Veteran Aware Trust and holder of gold accreditation from the Ministry of Defence Employment Recognition Scheme.

Our services are highlighted as an exemplar of good practice, producing the best care for more than 3,500 armed forces veterans in the past seven years. We have been shortlisted and won national awards. We are an inclusive organisation and Level 3 Disability Confident Leader Trust.

We are constantly innovating and looking for new ways to deliver care, such as using technology to enhance patient care and working with partners to launch new services such as the Basildon Mental Health Urgent Care Department, virtual hospitals and falls response cars.

Join us and you'll do the best work of your life - and make a difference to other people's lives. What we do together, matters. Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.

Benefits and Support

• Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
• Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
• If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
• We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication.
• 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.
• Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of your pensionable pay.
• Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
• £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us.
• Season ticket loans are interest‑free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.
• Work that wraps around your needs: work bank – you can use the opportunity to supplement your income and develop your skills by working bank shifts.
• Flexible working – available from day one for most roles.

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