Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Surrey County Council; Westcott; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in England is seeking a Specialist Speech & Language Therapist to join their dedicated team. The role involves clinical decision-making, assessment, and providing intervention for children with complex needs. Candidates require at least two years of experience, along with a relevant degree and registration with professional bodies. The position offers flexible working options and a competitive salary of £41,955 for a full-time role. Join a team committed to supporting children's communication needs and continuous professional development.

Benefits

RCSLT membership and HCPC fees covered

Flexible working around core hours

Comprehensive supervision and training

Generous local government pension

Employee Assistance Programme

Lifestyle discounts

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years' experience as a Speech and Language Therapist.
• Registered with the HCPC and RCSLT, eligible to work in the UK.
• Knowledge of English education system and National Curriculum.

Responsibilities

• Clinical decision making with school staff.
• Assessment, advice, and intervention for children.
• Training for schools and support for junior team members.

Skills

Speech and Language Therapy

Team collaboration

Clinical assessment

Training others

Education

Degree in Speech and Language Therapy

Job description

Our large and friendly team of Speech & Language Therapists and Assistants work across mainstream and special schools in North East Surrey. We are part of the Council's offer to support children with Additional Needs and Disabilities, working collaboratively with the Inclusion and Additional Needs Team and other areas like Educational Psychology and Specialist Teaching. Our tiered model supports universal, targeted and specialist intervention for children, families and the school workforce; making sure we deliver the right support at the right time to children and young people, with and without EHCPs. We also have a specialist dysphagia service and specialist deaf service. We have excellent supervision and CPD models plus a rolling in-house training programme; we are committed to continuous learning and development. We champion our team and one of our Therapists was voted People's Choice in the Surrey Stars Awards, receiving over 500 votes showing just how well the service is regarded in the organisation! We are a forward thinking service and were involved with the RCSLT and Reading University around the dysphagia competences linked to student placements. Your main duties in the role of Specialist Speech & Language Therapist will include: Clinical decision making in conjunction with school staff around the level of support needed to achieve the best possible outcome for the children and young people on your defined caseload. Working with Speech & Language Therapy Assistants, setting targets for the children and young people they are supporting, and monitoring of the delivery and outcomes of their work. Assessment, advice and intervention for children with a range of speech, language and communication needs within your caseload. For children and young people on your caseload who are considered to have complex needs and where a joint multidisciplinary approach is essential to achieving the best outcome for these children and young people, you will be supported by your clinical team leader. Supporting junior members of the team, line managing others and taking on students. Contributing to and delivering training for schools and others in the team, An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role.

Local Government Reorganisation

Surrey County Council is undergoing local government reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities. Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents! Please see more information here: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation - Surrey County Council.

Our Commitment

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview. Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.

Ready to advance your career? If you're a qualified Speech & Language Therapist with two or more years' experience and a desire to specialise in autism and complex communication needs, we'd love you to join our supportive and solution-focused team.

Qualifications

• A degree in Speech and Language Therapy with a minimum of 2 years' experience working as an SLT with completed NQP competencies
• Registered with the HCPC and RCSLT, and eligible to work in the UK
• Working knowledge of the English education system including the National Curriculum and SEND code of practice
• Experience of supporting and training others including newly qualified therapists, assistants, students and work experience placements
• Evidence of a range of evidence based interventions used to support children and young people

Surrey has both urban and rural areas and candidates will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK, access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a wide geographical area. Reasonable adjustments where needed will be made for successful applicants who have a disability or long term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job. To apply, we request that you submit a CV and you will be asked the following 4 questions: 1. Are you registered with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)? 2. Do you have a minimum of two years' experience working as a Speech and Language Therapist with completed NQP competencies? Please answer 'yes' or 'no' as appropriate. If you answer 'no' please provide further details. 3. Do you have working knowledge of the English education system including the National Curriculum and SEND code of practice? Please tell us more about this, including how have you have gained this knowledge. 4. Please briefly describe a speech and language strategy or approach that you have supported staff or children to successfully use in the classroom. How did you measure its success?

This role has a competitive starting salary of £41,955 for 36 hours per week (5 days), across 42 weeks of the year (term-time + 3 weeks of holiday working). We are also interested in hearing from therapists seeking part time opportunities.

Benefits

• We pay your RCSLT membership and HCPC fees
• Flexible working around core school hours, with mobile and agile working solutions
• Belonging to a team of students, therapists and assistants led by a Therapies Manager who is an SLT
• Comprehensive clinical supervision programme including regular 1:1 meetings with your line manager, a buddy, an extensive in-house training programme and formal external training opportunities, access to clinical effectiveness groups, case study groups, specialist focus groups (like Placement Educator, or Leadership skills), termly whole-team study days, and support to join and attend CEN's relating to practice
• Opportunities to develop management skills by taking on line management of assistants, and taking students. Training and support is provided
• Generous local government salary-related pension
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave