Speech, Language & Communication Therapy Lead

Abingdon House School; Greater London; On-site; GBP 33,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading independent school in Central London is seeking an experienced speech and language therapist to provide high-quality therapy services. You'll support students with special educational needs, manage the SaLT team, and collaborate with educational staff. This role offers competitive salary and benefits in a supportive environment focused on integrated education and therapy.

Benefits

Flexible working opportunities

Free lunch every day

Cycle-to-work scheme

Employee assistance programme

Qualifications

• Qualified band 7 speech & language therapist.
• HCPC registration required.
• Experience working with children in an educational setting.

Responsibilities

• Support strategic development of SaLT provision.
• Line manage the SaLT team including performance reviews.
• Deliver CPD and SaLT training to staff.

Skills

Experience with children with SEN/SpLD

Excellent communication skills

IT literacy for clinical and administrative tasks

Knowledge of speech, language, and communication needs

Demonstrated ability to lead therapy teams

Education

Qualified band 7 speech & language therapist

HCPC registration

Job description

The main aspects of this role are:

• Support the strategic development of the school's SaLT provision and contribute to wider decision‑making.
• Line manage the SaLT team, including supervision, performance reviews, and professional development.
• Oversee caseload allocation, workload planning, and therapy resources.
• Deliver SaLT training and CPD to staff across the school.
• Work collaboratively with therapy leads, SENCos and middle leaders to promote a multidisciplinary approach.
• Build strong links with external agencies, commissioners, and professional networks.
• Model evidence‑based practice and encourage reflective practice within the team.
• Provide direct speech and language therapy to students.
• Plan, deliver, and evaluate therapeutic and educational programmes.
• Develop and deliver the communication curriculum for whole‑class sessions.
• Set and monitor communication targets within pupils' IEPs, working with parents and teaching staff.
• Adapt resources and learning environments to improve access for students with communication needs.
• Assess, record and report on pupil progress, including annual review contributions and intervention records.
• Uphold safeguarding responsibilities, working in line with policies and supporting the DSL where required.
• Contribute to wider school life, including clinical supervision, team meetings, whole‑school events, and supporting therapist recruitment and induction.

Person Specifications

We're looking for an experienced and compassionate speech & language therapist to join our school. You'll be able to show these essential skills and requisite experience:

• Qualified band 7 speech & language therapist
• HCPC registration
• Demonstrated experience working with children with SEN/SpLD in an education setting
• IT literacy for clinical and administrative tasks
• Strong knowledge of speech, language, and communication needs, with the ability to develop and implement tailored, evidence‑based interventions
• Experience in leading, supervising, and developing a therapy team, including providing CPD and support for professional growth
• Knowledge of relevant risk management, health and safety, and child protection practices
• Excellent communication skills
• Proven ability to lead service evaluation, implement improvements, and ensure interventions are aligned with research and best practice
• Experience liaising with external agencies, professional networks, and commissioners to support school‑based provision. You may have experience of the following: Speech and Language Therapist, SaLT Lead / Speech Therapy Lead, Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, Senior Speech and Language Therapist, HCPC‑registered Speech and Language Therapist, Communication Therapy Lead, Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) Specialist, etc.

The Role at a Glance

• This will be a full time role
• You’ll be at our Senior School campus, working with students aged 11‑18
• You’ll be based in Marylebone, Central London
• You will be a key member of the middle leadership team, reporting to the Assistant Headteacher responsible for therapy and pastoral provision. You will lead the delivery of high‑quality speech and language therapy services that support the school's integrated approach to education, therapy, and personal development.

Sponsorship Opportunities

The Cavendish Sponsorship Programme: We are able to sponsor talented, dedicated therapists from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa and America through the Cavendish Sponsorship Programme. Once in a role, you will have the opportunity to upskill in a pathway suited to your professional interests. Within your visa, there will be scope to move into a new role at any one of our sites as you progress, if a suitable position becomes available.

Benefits

• Flexible working opportunities, with weekly PPA that can be taken remotely
• Free lunch every day, plus cooked breakfast twice per week when on‑site
• A great employee assistance programme with access to wellbeing support + advice
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme
• Competitive salary + pensions contributions

Abingdon House School is an independent day school for children aged 5‑19 with special educational needs including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and associated social communication profiles. We deliver a mainstream‑style environment with a fully integrated programme of education, therapy, pastoral support, and personal development. You'll be joining a multidisciplinary team of therapists and support staff at Abingdon House School – at the Prep School, this is made up of two OTs, two SaLTs, and one physiotherapist; at the Senior School, a team of three OTs, three SaLTs, and one physiotherapist. We are proud of our integrated, multidisciplinary approach. At AHS, our holistic approach supports progress in academic studies, communication, independence and wellbeing. Every student follows a personalised pathway and benefits from therapeutic support throughout the day, delivered by a multidisciplinary team including teachers, therapists, and pastoral practitioners. We are proud to be an ISA‑accredited and Google Reference School. Abingdon House is inspected by both CReSTeD and the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), and we were recently awarded ISI's highest accolade, "a significant strength", for our highly effective interdisciplinary practice and the successful integration of therapeutic approaches into our students' learning.

Location: Central London. Salary: £32,730 per year (estimated). This is a full‑time role.