Location: Speech and Language Therapist, Trenchard Lines, Upavon

Grade: Health Professionals

Salary: £47,810 - £54,710

Contract: Permanent  

Working Pattern: Full-time   

Closing Date:  Friday 20^th March 2026
   
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our expanding team of Specialist Support Services. Defence Children Services has a vacancy for a Band 7 Speech and Language Therapist to join our Headquarters’ team based at Trenchard Lines, Upavon. We are looking for a passionate, competent and experienced Speech and Language Therapist to provide support, advice and guidance for children and young people based overseas in Defence Children Services schools and settings. This is a dynamic and exciting role providing the opportunity to work with our overseas locations and with the wider Defence community. 

Defence Children Services (DCS) is a Defence delivery organisation, subordinated under Army Regional Command. Our Vision is that we Educate the Child – Support the Family – Defend the Nation.  HQ DCS is UK based at Trenchard Lines, Upavon and has forward deployed staff all over the world.  DCS is responsible for the education and care of children of accompanied Service and Defence entitled personnel in MOD schools and settings; providing advice and guidance in respect of education for service families in the United Kingdom and the wider world.

All our activities are crafted to meet the effective education needs of our children and families, mitigating the challenges of mobility and promoting the positive opportunities of Service life. Your contribution to this is essential and invaluable.

As a DCS Speech and Language Therapist (SaLT) your role will be to work alongside the current SaLT to provide a high-quality speech and language therapy service to Service Children based overseas at MoD schools and settings. The role offers opportunities for direct and indirect individual work with children and practitioners, specialist advice and involvement in multi-agency groups and panels, as well as strategic planning at the level of service-delivery. SaLTs will work across early years settings, mainstream primary and secondary schools, with families in a range of settings and/or homes. The role is peripatetic and involves travelling to overseas locations across the MOD overseas footprint.

This post is being offered as either a part time or full-time position.
Full time hours- 37 hours per week
   
Job Description  
  
The successful candidate will work collaboratively to provide a high-quality speech and language therapy service for Defence Children Services. They will work within the DCS Educational Psychology and Speech and Language (EPSL) team alongside Educational Psychologists and the SEND Advisor and Manager. 

The DCS Speech and Language Therapist will independently manage a diverse caseload of children and young people aged 3–18 with a wide range of speech, language, and communication needs across DCS schools and settings overseas. The postholder will assess, manage, and provide clear and timely advice, reports, and therapy programmes integrated into each child’s daily curriculum. The successful candidate will develop and deliver training for schools, contribute to service development through audits and reviews, and support recruitment and professional development through supervision and mentorship.

The EPSL team works in close partnership with DCS schools and settings’ SENDCos and Senior Leadership teams to provide Subject Matter Expert (SME) advice and training on Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) and inclusive practice. Speech and language therapists will also be asked to offer guidance on the supportability of children with speech and language needs in overseas locations ensuring inclusivity and alignment with UK best practice.

Please be aware this role involves travel including driving overseas as it will be covering our DCS Schools and Settings across the world. Working beyond conditioned hours is required for travel and reclaimed through TOIL.  

Full job description and list of responsibilities can be found at the link below.   

   
Person Specification   
   
The ideal candidate will have the following skills, knowledge and behaviours  

Essential Criteria 

• In-depth knowledge of assessment tools and experience of applying them, relevant to early years and school-age children with SLCN.
• Experience and knowledge of a wide range of appropriate therapy approaches and experience in using them with children with SLCN.
• Ability to produce high quality written reports as well as communicate with parents and staff.
• Ability to work independently within professional frameworks and manage a caseload of varied needs, while balancing and meeting competing demands.
• Good knowledge of the roles of other professionals relevant to early years and school-age children with SLCN.
• Knowledge of national policies and procedures relevant to children with SLCN.
• Knowledge of good practice in safeguarding, equal opportunities and inclusion, and a full commitment to these aspects.
• Able and willing to travel independently to overseas locations.
• Able to make effective use of ICT.
• Commitment to Continuing Professional Development and experiences of further broad training relevant to the post.

Desirable Criteria  

• An understanding of the military context and the impact of mobility on children, families and schools.
• Membership or involvement with relevant Clinical Excellent Network(s).
• Experience providing training to the wider workforce.
• An understanding of the principles of clinical governance.

Licences 

·       Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) licence to practice as a Speech and Language Therapist.

·       Full UK Driving Licence  

Qualifications and Requirements:   

·       Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree qualification (minimum of 2:2 or equivalent).

Evidence of qualifications will be required at interview.

Memberships

·       Registered member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).  

Benefits   
   
We are passionate about delivering extraordinary things for our people. We employ people who challenge and guide each other, working within a highly capable team who will support you to develop your skills and experience.  

The Army prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance.

 Other benefits for Army civil servants include:

• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• Personal and professional development of skills
• Alternative working patterns for many roles
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), a free service that assists you with achieving a productive, healthy environment that is conducive to a healthy lifestyle.
• Enhanced parental and adoption leave
• 6 days special leave per year which can be used for volunteering activities
• Learning and Development
• Access to regular Clinical Supervision in line with HCPC and RCSLT requirements.
• NHS pension

Reimbursement of professional license fees: In Defence, we recognise that becoming a member of a professional body or association can provide professional credibility and recognition for your skills.  Civil servants in MOD Main can claim reimbursement of up to two eligible professional memberships per year.  

Discover My Benefits: Please follow the link to visit the Discover My Benefits site which showcases the benefits and discounts offered when working as a civilian for the MOD. https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/civilian/   
  

To apply please visit Civil Service Jobs Army - Defence Children Services (DCS) – Speech and Language Therapist - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK   to submit your completed application before the deadline of Friday 20^th March 2026.

Defence Children Services is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.