Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
At a glance
- Band
- Band 6
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Full-time, Job share
- Posted
- 21/08/2026
- Closes
- 03/09/2026
Sponsorship verdict
This contract type is not eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship.
NHS Trusts cannot issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for part-time, bank, locum, zero-hours, job-share or short fixed-term (under 12 months) contracts under current Home Office rules. This applies even when the wider Trust holds a Skilled Worker licence.
Role summary
This role is for a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join the Special School team in Warwickshire. The post-holder will independently assess and manage speech, language, and communication needs for children aged 4-19 in special schools, including those with learning difficulties or dysphagia. It involves delivering training to parents and school staff, and working collaboratively within a supportive multi-disciplinary team. The position offers opportunities to develop both leadership and clinical skills.
Essential criteria
- Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree or equivalent
- Registered member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
- Health Professionals Council Registration
- Evidence of successful completion of Specialist short courses related to children with communication difficulties, to include: Parent-Child Interaction or Hanen Therapy; Makaton signing; Derbyshire Language Scheme; TEACCH; PECS; SCERTS; Communication Aids Courses
Desirable criteria
- Post Basic Dysphagia qualification (or be prepared to complete training at this level)
- Paediatric experience post registration including working with children who have learning / physical difficulties, including: Autism; Children using non-verbal forms of communication; Eating and drinking difficulties
- Experience of using Parent Child Interaction Therapy and / or Hanen Therapy
- Experience of working as part of a team within an educational setting
- Experience of training staff
- Demonstrate well established knowledge of assessment tools relevant to the client group(s) including: Functional Communication; Eating and drinking difficulties; Non-verbal forms of communication; Language and sound system analysis; Proficient in using Makaton signing
- Demonstrate an ability to analyse and interpret the complex information from assessment in the light of the child's other strengths and weaknesses, home environment and educational setting in order to devise a management plan
- Demonstrate knowledge of developmental and medical conditions which may occur in the client group and the effect on SLC (e.g. Down Syndrome, Autism)
- Demonstrate knowledge of education legislation, frameworks and curriculum
- Demonstrate good presentation skills, verbal and written, including computer generated materials e.g. Power Point
- Demonstrate well-developed communication skills and an ability to match communication style and content to the needs of the situation
- Demonstrate an ability to work collaboratively as part of a team
- Demonstrate good concentration skills
- Demonstrate excellent interpersonal abilities - observation, listening, diplomacy, sensitivity
- Demonstrate good time management and organisation abilities
- Demonstrate problem solving and negotiation abilities, taking account of others perspectives and expectations
- Demonstrate an ability to work independently
- Demonstrates a realistic sense of own limitations and professional development needs
- Able to motivate young children
- Demonstrate flexibility / adaptability
- Other
- Car driver
- Lone working
- To work flexibly to the demands of the working environment including unpredictable work patterns i.e. evening working, tight deadlines and frequent interruptions to routine
- To deal with unpleasant conditions related to client contact e.g. exposure to saliva, vomit / sputum and other bodily fluids
- Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree or equivalent
- Registered member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
- Health Professionals Council Registration
- Evidence of successful completion of Specialist short courses related to children with communication difficulties, to include: Parent-Child Interaction or Hanen Therapy; Makaton signing; Derbyshire Language Scheme; TEACCH; PECS; SCERTS; Communication Aids Courses
- Post Basic Dysphagia qualification (or be prepared to complete training at this level)
- Paediatric experience post registration including working with children who have learning / physical difficulties, including: Autism; Children using non-verbal forms of communication; Eating and drinking difficulties
- Experience of using Parent Child Interaction Therapy and / or Hanen Therapy
- Experience of working as part of a team within an educational setting
- Experience of training staff
- Demonstrate well established knowledge of assessment tools relevant to the client group(s) including: Functional Communication; Eating and drinking difficulties; Non-verbal forms of communication; Language and sound system analysis; Proficient in using Makaton signing
- Demonstrate an ability to analyse and interpret the complex information from assessment in the light of the child's other strengths and weaknesses, home environment and educational setting in order to devise a management plan
- Demonstrate knowledge of developmental and medical conditions which may occur in the client group and the effect on SLC (e.g. Down Syndrome, Autism)
- Demonstrate knowledge of
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 6 at £37,338 – £44,962 a year, across England.
This advert: £39,959 – £48,117 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 12d ago · Closes in 2d
Applications close soon — apply now if this is a fit.
Full advert · preview
Job summary
We are looking for a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join our Special School team, where the post-holder would be based in Warwickshire's generic special schools spending along with other SLT colleagues and members of the multi-disciplinary team. Being qualified to or working towards holding a dysphagia caseload is desirable.
Location in Warwickshire to be arranged on appointment - there is some flexibility.
The post-holder should have enthusiasm for and experience of working with children with Speech, Language, and Communication needs, including those with an associated learning difficulty and/or other diagnoses. This post gives opportunity to develop leadership as well as clinical skills.
The post holder will be part of a supportive team including a lead SLT for the designated school. Access to supervision and CPD is provided.
Main duties of the job
To independently assess and manage the speech, language and communication needs of children attending special schools in Warwickshire.
To deliver training to parents, school staff and other professionals.
Exercise full responsibility and autonomy for a highly complex caseload of children with special needs aged 4-19 years attending special schools with a wide range of speech language and communication disorders and/or Dysphagia needs, seeking support from the lead clinician for the special schoo
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