Speech and Language Therapy Assistant

Transformationunitgm; Bishop's Stortford; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading healthcare service as a Band 4 Speech and Language Therapy Assistant in Hertfordshire. You will support children with speech, language, and communication needs, working collaboratively within a dynamic team. This role offers professional development and a supportive environment.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Flexible working arrangements

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work and Car Lease Schemes

Health and wellbeing support

Occupational Pension Scheme

Enhanced sick pay

Qualifications

• Experience of working with children with communication difficulties.
• Knowledge of normal child development.

Responsibilities

• Assist SLTs in clinics and schools.
• Deliver individual programmes and group work.

Skills

Communication

Organisational Skills

Creativity

Education

GCSE in English and Maths

NVQ level 3 or equivalent

Training in child development

Job description

Band 4 Speech and Language Therapy Assistant (SLTA)

We are growing and are delighted to announce an exciting opportunity to join our Children and Young People’s (CYP) Therapies Service in Hertfordshire as Band 4 SLTAs. We are looking for a creative and enthusiastic SLTAs to join our well established team based across Bishop Stotford, Hertford and Waltham Cross.

You will be joining an innovative and agile service, committed to delivering high quality care and transforming lives and you will work as part of a locality team, meeting the needs of CYP with speech, language and communication needs.

Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust (HCT) provides integrated Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Services for families across the county. Our service provides opportunities for collaborative working, joint training and shared learning amongst each profession, and we are jointly commissioned by health and education, allowing us to provide a seamless pathway of care from early years through to schools, specialist provisions and further education settings.

Interviews will be on 5th June in Welwyn Garden City.

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant will assist SLTs in clinics, mainstream & specialist schools. The role involves delivering individual programmes, group working, developing resources, using IT & undertaking some administrative duties. You will have opportunity to work with teachers, teaching assistants and health visitors, and to work alongside therapists and other assistants.

Applicants should have knowledge of normal child development alongside experience of working with children, including those with communication difficulties. Experience of working with, and using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)is beneficial. We are looking for applicants who are creative, flexible, possessing good organisational and communication skills and with an ability to work on their own initiative.

We are a friendly and supportive service and have an excellent reputation for the support we provide our staff. We offer:

• Access to regular group clinical supervision and line management supervision
• Informal support from a peer/buddy
• Access to a range of professional development learning opportunities e.g. bitesize tutorials
• A well-established appraisal system
• Opportunities to work alongside other therapists/assistants to deliver evidence based episodes of care to children/young people
• A thorough induction period where you will have the opportunity to observe and shadow your team
• Opportunities to develop specialist skills as a link assistant
• Opportunities to develop your career.

Working for our organisation

Working for HCT comes benefits including:

• Generous annual leave (27 days rising to 33 days)
• Flexible working arrangements to help balance personal and professional life, including up to 5 days of carers leave (pro rata)
• Employee Assistance Programme offering 24/7 confidential support for personal or work-related issues
• Cycle to Work and Car Lease Schemes to make your commute healthier or easier
• Blue Light Card and NHS Discounts on a wide range of shopping, holidays, and services
• Health and wellbeing support , including free flu jabs, Physiotherapy referrals, eye care vouchers, and regular wellness clinics
• Occupational Pension Scheme with competitive benefits
• Enhanced sick pay above statutory entitlements

In addition to the basic salary, the posts attracts a High Cost Area Supplement of 5% of basic salary subject to a minimum payment of£1,258 and a maximum payment of £2,122 per annum pro rata(pro rata where applicable and dependent on base location) .

We celebrate diversity and actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds, ages, and communities to apply.

If there’s high interest in this role, we may close applications earlier than the advertised deadline — so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

You’ve taken a fantastic first step by considering HCT. We’re excited about the possibility of welcoming you to our team and taking the next step in your journey with us.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see Job Description attached, which details the responsibilities within this post. Also attached is the Person Specification.

Successful candidate will need to be enthusiastic and motivated. Good communication and organisational skills are essential. You must be a team player but also be able to work autonomously.

If you are keen to be part of our well established, dynamic and friendly team we would love to hear from you. Please also look at our website for information about our service.

A full valid driving licence and access to a car to use regularly for business purposes is essential (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).

Whilst it is not a legal requirement, Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust encourages and supports all staff to be vaccinated as this remains the best line of defence against COVID-19.

Word versions of documents are available if needed to allow for any adaptations to be made i.e. font, colour, background, convert to Read Aloud.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Educated to GCSE standard in English and Maths
• Documented evidence of formal knowledge and training to NVQ level 3 or equivalent
• Documented evidence of training and knowledge in child development and childhood health conditions

Experience

• Significant relevant experience of working with children and young people
• Significant experience of working in multi-disciplinary settings
• Significant experience of working independently, without direct supervision
• Knowledge of confidentiality and information governance
• Understanding of a therapy assistant practitioner role and its duties
• Knowledge of Makaton, or similar, signing systems

Skills

• Able to recognise barriers to communication and use tools to overcome these.
• Ability to keep accurate patient records in accordance with legal and professional standards
• Able to communicate effectively and confidently
• Ability to use knowledge, skills and experience to make informed decisions and sound judgements
• Willingness to learn and receive training
• Ability to undertake delegated tasks
• Able to manage own time and to use initiative in prioritising tasks

Driving

• Hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010)

We will communicate any interview arrangements with applicants via e-mail so it is advisable that you check the email address you give on your application on a regular basis.

Staff recruited from outside the NHS will usually be appointed at the bottom of the pay band. All new appointments (excluding Medical & Dental roles) are subject to a 26 week probation period.

We are proud to be an armed forces friendly employer and support the employment of the armed forces community, including veterans, spouses and partners. For more information, contact [e-mail]

Applications from qualified job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications, subject to you meeting minimum criteria of the role and salary threshold. Please visit the Gov.UK website for detail.

If applicable to the role, staff are required to hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car to use with business insurance (unless the member of staff has a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).

In submitting an application form, you authorise Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust to confirm any previous NHS service details via the Electronic Staff Record Inter Authority Transfer process should you be appointed to the post.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.