Speech and Language Therapist (Special schools and ARP)

NHS; England; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in the UK is seeking a qualified Speech and Language Therapist to provide statutory therapy within special and mainstream schools. The role involves assessing and diagnosing pupils with speech and language needs, delivering interventions, and collaborating with educational staff. The ideal candidate will hold HCPC registration and have experience in speech and language therapy. This permanent, full-time position offers a competitive salary and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Local Government Pension Scheme

Excellent holiday entitlement

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Must be a qualified Speech and Language Therapist and hold valid HCPC registration.

Responsibilities

• Assess, diagnose and deliver interventions for pupils with speech and language needs.
• Provide specialist reports for statutory assessments.
• Defend clinical judgements at tribunal.
• Coach and support colleagues in developing inclusive practices.

Skills

Speech and language therapy

Assessment and diagnosis

Behaviour management

Communication skills

Education

HCPC registration

Qualified Speech and Language Therapist

Job description

Job Summary

Main Purpose

To assess children and develop/implement specialist speech and language therapy treatment to ensure that the Council achieves its strategic aims for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities.

To work as a member of the Merton Speech and Language Therapy Service and SENDIS and so contribute to building the capacity of Merton Schools to include pupils with SEN and disabilities.

To contribute to the LB Merton policy and approach to raising achievement and establishing provision for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities.

Main Duties of the Job

• Assess, diagnose and plan and deliver interventions for pupils in special schools, ARPs and other settings with a range of speech and language needs including language delay, language disorder; speech delay, speech disorder; social communication differences and disorders; speech and language difficulties related to hearing impairment, alternative communication, and global delay.
• Provide appropriate specialist intervention and evaluated outcomes.
• Provide the specialist speech and language therapy report for statutory assessment, including clinical judgements about the level of provision and appropriate educational setting attached to the pupils statutory assessment.
• Defend your clinical judgements on behalf of the local authority at tribunal and evaluate and comment at tribunal on the specialist evidence submitted by the opposing party. This may also include professional evaluation of proposed provisions.
• Provide advice, training and support to colleagues in a stipulated area of specialism such as Developmental Language Disorder, Social Emotional and Mental Health, Additional, Complex and /or Severe Learning Difficulties, Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
• Provide a stipulated specialist SLT service to schools and special settings, offering advice and support to colleagues in developing inclusive provision, either formally through consultation and training or through direct work in schools and settings.

About Us

At Merton Council, we are Merton UnitedOne Borough, One Team. We are committed to nurturing civic pride, building a sustainable future, and creating a borough where sport and active living are at the heart of our communities.

Merton Council is a friendly and ambitious organisation dedicated to the diverse communities who live here and to creating a healthier future for local people through its joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy. We are looking for people who resonate with the council's values, which can be viewed at Values | Work for Merton | Merton Council.

We pride ourselves on creating a workplace that encourages creativity, supports wellbeing, and delivers real, tangible impacts in the community.

Merton Council offers a competitive salary, membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, and flexible working arrangements.

There are great transport links to the Civic Centre, with Morden Northern Line Underground Station very close by travel into central London takes just 25 minutes. We are also a 10-minute walk from Morden Road Tram Stop and both Morden South and South Merton Railway Stations.

Please see our Work for Merton : Working for us | Merton Council page on our website for more information about a great range of benefits that go beyond salary and offer flexibility to suit you: Work for Merton : Working for us | Merton Council.

Details

• Date posted: 06 November 2025
• Pay scheme: Other
• Salary: £43,680 to £48,003 a year Mileage and public transport
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
• Reference number: F0019-25-3049
• Job locations: Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, SM4 5DX

Job Description & Responsibilities

• To support specific service development priorities in line with the SEN & Inclusion Strategy.
• To deliver statutory Speech and Language Therapy in special school, mainstream and/or additionally resourced provisions (ARPS) within specialist area of skill within the parameters and desired outcomes for the Council.
• To work in partnership with the Merton Speech and Language Therapy Managers for the purpose of service development and to be part of a workforce committed to raising attainment for pupils in Merton schools through inclusive education.
• To supervise band 5 therapists once probation/competencies are completed.
• To undertake all duties and interactions with colleagues, partner providers and customers fairly, without unlawful discrimination and with due regard to the Councils Diversity and Equality in Employment and Service Delivery policies.
• To carry out duties and responsibilities in accordance with the Councils Core Values, Equal Opportunities Policy, Health and Safety Policy and all other borough and departmental policies and procedures, in particular the non-smoking policy and confidentiality in line with the Data Protection Act.

Person Specification ‡ Qualifications (Essential)

• Are you a qualified Speech and Language Therapist and hold a valid HCPC registration?

Person Specification ‡ Qualifications (Desirable)

• N/A

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer Details

• Employer name: London Borough Of Merton
• Address: Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, SM4 5DX
• Employer's website: https://www.merton.gov.uk/jobs (Opens in a new tab)