Specialist Speech & Language Therapist (Community)

NHS; Hadleigh; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in the UK seeks a Specialist Speech & Language Therapist for a full-time role to provide communication support to children in community clinics. This position is open to established Band 5 SLTs looking to develop their skills in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Band 6 SLTs seeking additional training. The successful candidate must have at least 2 years of experience managing their caseload independently. Benefits include a relocation package, flexible working options, and excellent pension contributions.

Benefits

27 days holiday plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years of service

Excellent pension of up to 14.5%

Staff discounts and benefits

£8K relocation package

Interest-free season ticket loans

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of experience with RCSLT NQP competencies.
• Relevant experience with a community SLT caseload.
• Willingness to complete postgraduate training related to ASD.

Responsibilities

• Deliver specialist service to children (0-18) with communication difficulties.
• Develop specialist skills for managing cases with suspected or identified ASD.
• Provide supervision for junior staff as needed.
• Deliver face to face/video conference triage interventions.

Skills

Experience with children with speech/language delay/disorder

Managing an independent caseload

Observation of work with children/young people with ASD

Postgraduate training (e.g. PECS, Makaton)

Education

Royal College of Speech & Language Therapist competencies

Job description

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Speech & Language Therapist (Community)

The closing date is 18 December 2025

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.

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.

This role would require the successful candidate to have been signed off their RCSLT NQP competencies for at least 2 years.

Main duties of the job

Must have completed and signed off Royal College of Speech & Language Therapist newly qualified therapist competencies for at least 2 years.

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

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.

About us

Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.

• 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.
• Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

Person Specification

Experience of managing own independent SLT caseload for at least 36 months

• Relevant experience working with children and/or young people on a community SLT caseload.
• Evidence of observation of work with children/young people with ASD.
• Completion of post graduate training (e.g. PECS, Makaton etc).
• Willingness to complete postgraduate training in relation to ASD.

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 CR) to check for any previous convictions.

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust