Speech and Language Therapy Assistant | Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust; North Chailey; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A community health service provider is seeking a Speech and Language Therapy Assistant for 22.5 hours per week, based in North Chailey. The role involves supporting children with complex neuro-disability and requires excellent communication, IT, and teamwork skills. Full training and ongoing supervision will be provided. The post is aimed at individuals who can relate well to children ages 3-25, and flexibility is essential for working in varied environments. Applications are encouraged from diverse backgrounds.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Excellent training and development opportunities

Cost-effective workplace nurseries

Qualifications

• Experience working with children and young people with speech and language or learning needs.
• Ability to engage with multi-professional teams.

Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of person-centred service in communication development.
• Work with children with complex sensory and communication needs.
• Create bespoke communication systems and resources.
• Use electronic notes for therapy documentation.
• Organise team meetings and take minutes.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Enthusiasm to relate with children

Teamwork skills

Organisational skills

Excellent IT skills

Flexibility

Creativity

Problem-solving skills

Self-reflection

Job description

We are looking for a resourceful, enthusiastic and well‑organised person who has previous experience of working with children and young people with speech and language or learning needs to join our team for 22.5 hours per week.

We are a team of eleven speech and language therapists and assistants who work with children and young people with complex neuro‑disability at Chailey Clinical Services, near Lewes.

The successful applicant will have:

• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to communicate with those with atypical communication styles
• Enthusiasm and an ability to relate well to children and young adults (3‑25 years)
• The ability to work well as part of a team
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills
• Excellent IT skills – including ability to learn to use online patient records system, software to develop tailored resources to support children, high‑tech communication aids
• The ability to be flexible and respond to a number of different demands, which will include office‑based or class‑based working with different health professionals as part of a multi‑professional team
• Creativity and problem‑solving skills
• The ability to self‑reflect and actively engage with a process of continuing professional development

The Speech and Language Therapy Assistant will:

• Support the delivery of a safe, effective and person‑centred service to children and young adults with complex neuro‑disability, by working as an integral part of the speech and language therapy team at Chailey Clinical Services
• Work with children and young people with complex sensory, physical and communication needs, individually and in small groups, in the areas of communication development, with direction from speech and language therapists
• Create resources to support communication and learning of children and young people with complex neuro‑disability
• Create bespoke communication systems and resources such as communication passports, with direction from speech and language therapists
• Use electronic notes to write up therapy notes
• Demonstrate therapy interventions and resources to others, including parents, school and support staff
• Attend and participate in team meetings, including organising meetings and taking minutes where required
• Provide efficient administrative support to the Speech and Language Therapy team
• Handle telephone and e‑mail enquiries in a professional and compassionate manner
• Assist with data entry, manage spreadsheets, report preparation, and general office tasks

We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex, with 6,000 staff serving 1.3 million people. We deliver essential care to adults and children, helping them manage their health, avoid hospital admissions, and reduce hospital stays.

Our Trust vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community. We offer opportunities across medical, clinical, support and corporate services.

Why work for us?

• Positive 2023 NHS Staff Survey results, highlighting compassionate leadership and wellbeing
• Varied environments: community hospitals, patients’ homes and bases across Sussex
• Flexible working options: part‑time, flexi‑time, annualised hours and flexi‑retirement
• Excellent training, development and research opportunities
• Cost‑effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove and Brighton
• Active EMBRACE, Disability & Wellbeing, LGBTQIA+ and Religion & Belief networks
• Level 3 Disability Confident Leader and Veteran Aware Trust
• Beautiful Sussex location near the South Downs and coast

Our values – Compassionate Care, Working Together, Achieving Ambitions, Delivering Excellence – guide everything we do.

We embrace diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from ethnically diverse, disabled and LGBTQIA+ individuals. We aim to create an inclusive environment and support reasonable adjustments during recruitment.

This post may close early if sufficient applications are received.

Job description attached, main responsibilities outlined above, please get in touch for further information.

The post is for 22.5 hours per week and is based at Chailey Clinical Services, North Chailey, nr Lewes.

Full training and ongoing supervision will be provided.

"Please note: Due to recent changes in UK immigration and visa rules, this role is unlikely to be eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be considered. Candidates requiring sponsorship should review the eligibility criteria on thegov.uk website before applying to assess their eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role."

This advert closes on Sunday 14 Dec 2025.