12 months contract with a Local Authority

Job Title: Speech & Language Therapist

Job Purpose

To provide specialist speech and language therapyassessment, advice, intervention, and support to school-aged children and youngpeople with speech, language, and communication needs. The postholder willmanage a defined caseload, deliver evidence-based therapy programmes, monitoroutcomes, and work collaboratively with families, schools, andmultidisciplinary professionals to help children achieve their educational anddevelopmental potential.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Practice

Assess, diagnose, and provide specialist speech and language therapy interventions for children and young people with speech, language, and communication needs.
Manage a defined caseload, including children with complex needs requiring multidisciplinary input.
Develop and implement individual therapy plans and measurable outcomes.
Monitor, review, and evaluate progress using speech and language therapy and educational outcome measures.
Provide written and verbal reports, recommendations, and feedback to families, schools, and relevant professionals.

Multi-Agency Working

Work collaboratively with teachers, educational staff, health professionals, parents, carers, and partner agencies.
Contribute to multidisciplinary assessments and planning to achieve the best outcomes for children and young people.
Provide professional advice and guidance to schools and families on communication needs and intervention strategies.

Leadership and Supervision

Provide support, mentoring, and professional guidance to junior therapists and Speech and Language Therapy Assistants.
Set objectives and monitor the effectiveness of delegated therapy programmes.
Support the development of service standards, policies, and best practice.

Service Development

Contribute to service improvement initiatives and professional developments.
Assist in the implementation and review of therapy programmes, policies, and procedures.
Participate in audits, outcome measurement, and quality assurance activities.

Safeguarding and Compliance

Comply with safeguarding, confidentiality, and information governance requirements.
Identify and escalate risks, concerns, complaints, and safeguarding issues appropriately.
Maintain accurate clinical records in accordance with professional and organisational standards.

Experience Required

Essential

Experience managing a caseload of children and young people with speech, language, and communication needs.
Experience undertaking specialist assessments, diagnosis, and intervention planning.
Experience working collaboratively with schools, families, and multidisciplinary teams.
Experience preparing reports and maintaining clinical records.
Experience supporting or supervising less experienced therapists, assistants, or support staff.

Desirable

Experience working within special schools or specialist educational settings.
Experience supporting children with complex communication needs.
Experience in service development, training, or quality improvement activities.

Qualifications

Essential

BSc (Hons) Degree or equivalent recognised qualification in Speech and Language Therapy.
Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Membership of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).
Enhanced DBS clearance.

Desirable

Postgraduate training or specialist qualifications in one or more of the following areas:

Dysphagia
PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System)
Makaton
TEACCH
Speech Disorders

Skills and Competencies

Advanced knowledge of speech, language, and communication disorders.
Strong clinical assessment and intervention skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to build effective relationships with children, families, schools, and professionals.
Excellent organisational and caseload management skills.
Strong problem-solving and clinical decision-making abilities.
Ability to work autonomously while contributing effectively to a multidisciplinary team.
Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office and clinical record management systems.
Understanding of safeguarding, confidentiality, and information governance requirements.

Additional Information

Location: Surrey
Working Hours: 35 hours per week
Pay Rate: £32.76 per hour (Umbrella)
Reporting To: Clinical Team Leader
Service Area: Speech and Language Therapy, Children, Schools and Families
Travel Requirement: Regular travel may be required across the allocated geographical area within Surrey.
Contract Type: Temporary contract (subject to service requirements).
Professional Registration: HCPC registration and RCSLT membership must be maintained throughout employment.
DBS Requirement: Enhanced DBS clearance required.
Supervision: Regular clinical supervision, peer support, and continuing professional development opportunities provided.
Management Responsibility: May involve supervision and support of Speech and Language Therapy Assistants and junior therapists.
Work Environment: The postholder may work across mainstream schools, specialist centres, and special school settings within Surrey.
Payment Schedule: Bi-weekly
Start Date: Immediate start available
Closing Date: Applications closing soon – early applications are encouraged

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