Job summary
- Main area
- SALT
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 6
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Part time
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 179-7838204-I
- Employer
- West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Haverhill Health Centre
- Town
- Haverhill
- Salary
- £38,682 - £46,580 per annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 30/03/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Specialist Speech & Language Therapist
NHS AfC: Band 6
Job overview
We have a role for an enthusiastic and motivated Speech and Language Therapist to work in Haverhill clinic and in clinics or mainstream schools in surrounding locations in West Suffolk. If you are an experienced or aspiring band 6 SLT, come and join our passionate and forward-thinking team working in clinic venues, Early Years settings and Mainstream schools & Units. This is a 0.8 WTE (30hr a week) role, however we would welcome applications from anyone who is interested in working between 0.6 and 1.0 WTE as there may be some flexibility.
As a Band 6 therapist you will have a strong clinical skill set in assessing and providing therapy for a diverse paediatric caseload as well as supporting team members working in the same geographical area. The role involves overseeing and planning service delivery including priority workstreams, providing clinical guidance and sharing expertise, as well as organising and chairing regular mini team meetings. You will be experienced in delivering online training and working with therapy partners.
Previous experience in supporting/mentoring colleagues is desirable. As a team we are strongly committed to delivery of effective, evidence-based therapy, and we offer regular supervision, mentoring and CPD/training opportunities.
Interviews will take place on 15th April.
Main duties of the job
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will:
- Oversee caseload management, delivery and efficacy of therapy services for a geographical mini team or equivalent to ensure clinical or service priorities are met
- Supervise Band 3/4 Speech and Language Therapy Assistants and other colleagues within the team
- Support Newly Qualified Speech and Language Therapists (NQSLTs) where required
- Deliver training packages to parents/carers and educational staff (both face to face and virtually)
- Work flexibly across a variety of settings, as required, including schools, school units, community clinics, preschools, nurseries and children’s centres. This will include daily travel across sites.
- Provide specialist assessment and plan/deliver therapy interventions for children and young people with a broad range of speech, language and communication needs.
- Champion partnership working with families, educational staff and the wider professional team to create and implement individualised therapy plans and to support effective outcomes for children and young people.
- Actively contribute to team meetings, clinical supervision sessions and take a proactive approach to continued professional development.
- Maintain accurate and up to date clinical records in line with NHS, HCPC standards and Trust policies.
- Take an active role in supporting wider service development projects.
Working for our organisation
#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community
We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.
The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.
Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.
We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.
With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.
We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.
Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see full job description and person specification attached
Job summary:
The primary purpose of this role is to provide a specialist Speech and Language Therapy service to children and young people aged 0-19 with a range of speech, language, and communication presentations.
This community-based role will involve working in a variety of settings, including clinics, mainstream schools, specialist units (SSUs), special schools, nurseries or homes, according to service need.
You will:
- provide a specialist level of advice, support and training to upskill therapy partners i.e., parents, carers and other professionals working with the child or young person.
- manage and prioritise caseloads at a specialist level.
- plan day-to-day service delivery in your designated geographical area as a mini-team lead.
- provide leadership, supervision and training for relevant Speech and Language Therapy staff and students.
- safeguard children and young people according to policy and procedures.
- travel across the county where necessary for carrying out the role.
Person specification
Education & Qualification
Essential criteria
- Recognised Speech & Language therapy degree qualification (A)
- Registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (A)
- Member of the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists (A)
- • Evidence of continuing professional development via RCSLT log or portfolio (I)
Desirable criteria
- Member of a Clinical Excellence Network (A)
- Evidence of further post graduate short courses or training relevant to clinical caseload: Makaton, PECS, SCERTS, stammering approaches, Nuffield, Intensive Interaction, Attention Autism, Eating/Drinking etc (A)
- Recent Placement Educator Training (A)
Experience & Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Experience and working knowledge of Paediatrics as specialist area (A/I)
- Knowledge and experience of a wide range of paediatric SLC assessment methods. (A/I)
- Knowledge and experience of using a range of paediatric therapy techniques and approaches to a specialist level. (A/I)
- Use of outcome measures (A/I)
- Experience of training others (A/I)
- Supervision of junior staff and students (A/I)
- Supporting others with caseload management (A/I)
- • Experience of working with other professionals including parents, education staff and health professionals (I)
- • Knowledge and experience of managing the impact of a SLCN difficulty for the Child or young person and their family / carers (I)
Desirable criteria
- Previous Band 6 experience or evidence of working at a specialist level (A)
- Experience of working in a range of community settings (A)
- • Experience of MDT working (I)
- • Experience of developing a training offer (I)
- • Use of digital methods for therapy (I)
- • Contribution to clinical education. (I)
Skills & Abilities
Essential criteria
- • Knowledge of child development ages and stages and application to speech language and communication diagnosis and treatment (I)
- • Knowledge of the National Curriculum & Statutory Assessment Procedure and experience of writing Statutory Assessment and Annual review reports (A/I)
- • Knowledge of Safeguarding CYP (A/I)
- • Good presentation skills, written and verbal (I)
- • Digitally literate: able to use digital methods for record keeping and communicating (A/I)
- • Good organisational skills including ability to prioritise work and caseload (I)
- • Ability to demonstrate good analytical and reflection skills, and adapt practice accordingly (I)
- • Ability to work under pressure (A)
- • Applies relevant policies & procedures pertaining to working in a health care environment e.g health & safety legislation, clinical governance, equality & diversity (I)
- • Supervision Skills (A/I)
Desirable criteria
- Experience of record keeping via SystmOne (A)
- Triaging skills (A/I)
- Leadership skills e.g. coaching, negotiation & problem solving, supporting change (A/I)
Personal Qualities
Essential criteria
- Flexible approach to working hours/duties
- • Able to cope with exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances (I)
- • Self-aware & motivated (A/I)
- • Ability to work in a team (A)
- • Able to travel across the Trust (A)
Desirable criteria
- • Experience with managing difficult / challenging circumstances (I)
- • Experience of project work or leading small teams (I)
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
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.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Abbie Woodward
- Job title
- Pathway Lead Clinic/Schools
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07507556306
- Additional information
Matthew Tarr - Pathway Lead Clinic/Schools - 07939803016
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