Specialist Speech and Language Therapy Practitioner

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust; Poole; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting a Specialist Speech and Language Therapy Practitioner for the Poole area. You will work in schools and clinics with a varied caseload from Developmental Language Disorder to Autism, providing assessment, diagnosis and specialist interventions.

The post offers regular supervision, opportunities for formal and informal training and a supportive multidisciplinary environment within The Balanced System transformation context.

Qualifications

• Degree/diploma in Speech and Language Therapy required.
• HCPC registration essential.
• RCSLT membership preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist clinical care including assessment, diagnosis and interventions for a mixed caseload.
• Work in schools, pre-schools, clinics and homes as part of the community caseload.
• Take a lead in caseload management and support junior colleagues.
• Provide specialist advice and devise programmes for others to deliver.
• Plan, implement and review health improvement programmes across settings.
• Provide supervision, mentorship and clinical support to students and practitioners.

Skills

Community clinic experience

Mainstream school experience

Specialism development

Clinical supervision

Education

Degree/diploma in Speech and Language Therapy

HCPC registered

RCSLT member

Job description

Specialist Speech and Language Therapy Practitioner

The closing date is 30 September 2026

The Dorset Children and Young People's Speech and Language Therapy Service is seeking enthusiastic, forward thinking, team players to join our friendly and supportive team of speech and language therapists.

Would you like to develop your specialist skills working with a varied client group which includes children and young people (0-19) with Developmental Language Disorder, Dysfluency, Selective Mutism, Developmental Verbal Dyspraxia, Autism Spectrum Condition, Complex Needs, Speech Disorder and Speech and Language delay?

An opportunity has arisen for a Band 6 therapist post in the Poole team. We are looking for therapists with some experience who would like to build on their skills with a new challenge. The role will involve working within mainstream schools and clinics, which are part of the community caseload, including:

Providing specialist clinical care including: assessment, diagnosis, and interventions for a mixed community caseload; and working in schools pre-schools, clinics, and homes.

This role is suitable for Speech and Language Therapists already working in a Band 6 role and for Band 5 Speech and Language Therapists who can demonstrate growing skills in a specialist area.

Main duties of the job

You will receive regular management from your team lead as well as peer and 1:1 clinical supervision. You will have access to a range of clinical lead specialists for advice and guidance. There are excellent opportunities to access formal and informal training. New initiatives are always welcome and taken forward within the context of our transformation work to The Balanced System.

Taking a lead in caseload management for the clinic and supporting junior colleagues.

To provide a high quality person centred approach to care delivery which always considers people's safety, privacy and dignity.

To provide specialist care and interventions, assessments, treatments and managing patients on a caseload, as part of the wider multi-disciplinary care team.

To provide specialist advice to others regarding the management and care of patients / service users.

To devise specialist programmes of care for other professionals to deliver and ensure they are delivered appropriately.

To plan, implement and review health improvement programmes in a range of settings.

Provide supervision, mentorship, training and clinical support to students and trained practitioners.

This post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of.

About us

At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that AI can be a useful tool when completing your application. However, we are seeing an increasing over-reliance of AI tools, which can negatively affect your application as it reduces a candidates individuality, and makes it difficult for us to gain a clear and authentic understanding of your experience, skills, and in turn your suitability for the role.

All submissions must be truthful and if you do use AI, it should only be used to enhance your application and not create your supporting statement in its entirety. Your supporting statement should be in your own words and must accurately reflect your personal experience and achievements. Where we have concerns that AI has been used to generate content that misrepresents your experience and suitability for the role, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact [e-mail]

Person Specification

Knowledge, Skills and Training

• Degree/diploma in Speech and Language Therapy
• Member of HPC
• Member of RCSLT

Job Specific Experience

• Experience working in a community clinic
• Experience working within a mainstream school
• Previous experience as a qualified SLT band 6 working in an NHS setting
• Evidence of developing an area of specialism

Additional Requirements

• Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English, adequate to enable the post holder to carry out the role effectively
• Subject to the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act, able to travel using own vehicle on Trust business

Managerial /Supervisory Experience

• experience of providing clinical supervision and mentoring to junior staff
• Experience of devising and delivering training

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.

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust