Speech and Language Therapy Assistant Practitioner
At a glance
- Band
- Band 4
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Full-time
- Posted
- 21/09/2026
- Closes
- 30/09/2026
Sponsorship verdict
Sponsorship is not clearly stated in this advert.
The advert didn't contain a clear role-specific sponsorship line, so HiveMind can't confirm eligibility. Verify with the recruiting manager or trust HR before you apply.
Role summary
This is an exciting opportunity to join a friendly and innovative Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) service in East Suffolk as an Assistant Practitioner. The role involves supporting SLTs with assessments, delivering therapy plans, leading groups, and providing training for individuals with communication and swallowing difficulties. You will work with a mixed caseload, including people recovering from stroke or with neurological conditions, and play a vital role in rehabilitation and supporting families and carers. The service is community-based but may require flexible working across various service areas, including Ipswich Hospital.
Essential criteria
- Qualified Associate Practitioner/ Nursing Associate diploma level or equivalent qualification e.g. NVQ3 plus short courses or relevant experience up to diploma level
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Ability to travel to different places of work/driving licence
Desirable criteria
- Competencies at level of Assistant Dysphagia Practitioner, or equivalent
- Evidence of attendance at relevant specialist courses: (eg via RCSLT Clinical Excellence Networks)
- Accredited LSVT practitioner
- System One super user
- Care certificate
- Experience of working in acute/community health care settings, or equivalent caring experience
- Experience of liaising with other agencies/other staff groups
- Experience of working with adults with stroke/acquired neurological conditions
- Experience of prioritising own work independently and problem solving as appropriate
- Experience of delivering training to groups
- Experience in using Microsoft Word, Excel, email and electronic patient recording systems
- Experience of working with people with acquired communication difficulties
- Experience of working with people with eating/drinking/swallowing difficulties
- Experience of working as a member of a multi-disciplinary team
- Experience of person centred planning/goal setting
- Knowledge of the wider needs of people with acquired neurological conditions
- Knowledge of different methods of communication
- Knowledge of range of communication difficulties experienced by people with a variety of medical reasons, such as stroke, and progressive neurological conditions
- Knowledge of swallowing difficulties experienced by adults for a variety of medical reasons, such as stroke and cancer
- Knowledge of alternative/ augmentative communication systems (high and low tech)
- Use of outcome measures
- Awareness of change in NHS and current legislation
- Qualified Associate Practitioner/ Nursing Associate diploma level or equivalent qualification e.g. NVQ3 plus short courses or relevant experience up to diploma level
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Ability to travel to different places of work/driving licence
- Competencies at level of Assistant Dysphagia Practitioner, or equivalent
- Evidence of attendance at relevant specialist courses: (eg via RCSLT Clinical Excellence Networks)
- Accredited LSVT practitioner
- System One super user
- Care certificate
- Experience of working in acute/community health care settings, or equivalent caring experience
- Experience of liaising with other agencies/other staff groups
- Experience of working with adults with stroke/acquired neurological conditions
- Experience of prioritising own work independently and problem solving as appropriate
- Experience of delivering training to groups
- Experience in using Microsoft Word, Excel, email and electronic patient recording systems
- Experience of working with people with acquired communication difficulties
- Experience of working with people with eating/drinking/swallowing difficulties
- Experience of working as a member of a multi-disciplinary team
- Experience of person centred planning/goal setting
- Knowledge of the wider needs of people with acquired neurological conditions
- Knowledge of different methods of communication
- Knowledge of range of communication difficulties experienced by people with a variety of medical reasons, such as stroke, and progressive neurological conditions
- Knowledge of swallowing difficulties experienced by adults for a variety of medical reasons, such as stroke and cancer
- Knowledge of alternative/ augmentative communication systems (high and low tech)
- Use of outcome measures
- Awareness of change in NHS and current legislation
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 4 at £26,530 – £29,114 a year, across England.
This advert: £28,392 – £31,157 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 1d ago · Closes in 9d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Speech and Language Therapy Assistant Practitioner
The closing date is 30 September 2026
Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity to become an assistant practitioner in our friendly, innovative speech and language therapy (SLT) service, based in the community team in East Suffolk.
Community SLT is part of a wider, integrated SLT service in East Suffolk which supports people with communication and swallowing difficulties in their own home, in care homes, in clinic for outpatient appointments, and on the inpatient wards at Ipswich Hospital. You may be asked to work flexibly across these service areas. We are currently enhancing our working with other health workers with our Integrated Neighbourhood Team colleagues.
The service champions innovation and quality improvement, and are committed to developing leadership skills for staff at all levels. We have won awards for our innovation, for example the 'Making Better Use of our Resources' award at the Suffolk and North East Essex Can Do Health and Care awards.
Main duties of the job
This is a varied role and responsibilities will include supporting our speech and language therapists with assessments, delivering therapy plans, leading groups and supporting training for a mixed caseload of people with a range of swallowing and communication difficulties. This co
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