Advanced Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
The closing date is 04 May 2026
Job Overview
We are looking for an Advanced Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to work with children with learning difficulties and associated speech, language, communication, and swallowing needs. The post holder will hold a caseload of children fitting this profile who may attend special schools, specialist resource provisions, and mainstream settings, and be part of a team doing similar. The post also has a leadership role, to be a line manager for a small number of therapists and assistants in the same sub‑team, and to support the team leader with strategic needs.
The post will require clinical location of Rugby/North area(s) of Warwickshire, with possible leadership of staff in other areas of Warwickshire. Part‑time hours are encouraged; please state your availability.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead and manage independent assessment and management of speech, language, communication and dysphagia needs of children in the named special school(s).
* Collaborate with the team leader for speech and language therapy in special schools and other SLTs.
* Provide supervision to other Speech and Language Therapists and assistants within your school(s) and the wider team.
* Liaise with other agencies and professionals and coordinate effective support for special school children.
* Develop service improvement strategy in partnership with workgroup leads and the team lead.
* Provide training and clinical expertise to staff, carers, and multidisciplinary teams.
* Act as a clinical lead, mentor, and role model for evidence‑based practice.
* Participate in the recruitment, induction, appraisal, and monitoring of staff.
* Engage in service evaluation, research, audit, and development of best practices.
* Deliver professional teaching to students and colleagues.
Specialist Clinical Responsibilities
* Provide specialist assessment, diagnosis and management of dysphagia, including complex medical conditions and syndromes.
* Advise on Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) strategies and appropriate technology.
* Formulate detailed individual management plans for eating, drinking and swallowing.
* Negotiate with parents, carers and education staff to agree on management plans and interventions.
* Support the transition of students from special schools to adult services by linking with adult service professionals.
* Serve as a second opinion and advance clinical knowledge to colleagues.
Leadership and Management
* Provide clear clinical leadership and maintain highest standards of care.
* Participate in staff appraisal, recruitment, induction, sickness monitoring and audit.
* Act as the first point of contact for queries, complaints, and incidents within the named school(s).
Working Relationships
* Collaborate with team leads across special schools, paediatric dysphagia specialists, and other SLTs.
* Work with multi‑disciplinary professionals (GPs, Consultants, Psychologists, Therapists, Nurses, etc.) within the Trust and externally.
* Engage with education professionals including head teachers, teachers, teaching assistants, mentors, and welfare staff.
* Coordinate with external specialists, independent SLTs, and parents/carers.
Qualifications
* Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree or equivalent.
* Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
* Health Professionals Council Registration.
* Evidence of continuing professional development since qualification, including specialist short courses up to master’s level.
* Training in Makaton Signing Vocabulary.
* Training in relevant short courses including Colourful Semantics, SCERTS, Talkabout.
* MSc in Human Communication.
* Makaton Regional Tutors’ Course.
* Trained in team building or leadership skills.
* Membership of relevant Special Interest Groups.
Experience
* Significant post‑registration experience, including collaborative practice in schools.
* Knowledge and expertise in working with client groups including autism, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD and other neurodivergent conditions.
* Experience with specialised clinical groups such as social, emotional, mental health needs, sensory processing disorder, anxiety disorders, developmental trauma and attachment difficulties, dysfluency, ADHD, PDA.
* Experience of giving and receiving clinical supervision.
* Experience developing and using prioritisation systems.
* Experience providing second opinions.
* Experience multidisciplinary team working and delivering training.
* Experience of team leadership and supervising less experienced staff.
Skills
* Proficiency in assessment tools relevant to the client group.
* Advanced analytic skills in receptive, expressive, and pragmatic language, motor, memory, fluency and intelligibility.
* Expertise in phonetic transcription and analysis.
* Strong ability to interpret assessment data and generate viable management options.
* Comprehensive knowledge of therapeutic interventions relevant to the client group.
* Skilled in visual support systems and training others to use them.
* In‑depth knowledge of national policies, procedures, legislation and frameworks.
* Excellent presentation skills, verbal, written and audio‑visual.
* Effective communication, matching style to context.
* Coaching approach to support others.
* Team and collaborative working attributes.
* Strong time‑management and organisational skills.
* Highly developed negotiation and problem‑solving skills.
* Conflict management and calming techniques.
* Motivation skills for staff and children.
* Leadership capability and ability to translate ideas to actions.
* Ability to interpret challenging behaviour whilst remaining calm and ensuring safety.
Personal Qualities
* Excellent interpersonal qualities – observation, listening, diplomacy, sensitivity and empathy.
* Problem‑solving and negotiation skills, taking account of others’ perspectives.
* Independent and team‑working capabilities.
* Skill in leading and organising training.
* Realistic appraisal of own development needs.
* Motivation of children with communication and eating/swallowing difficulties.
* Flexible, adaptable and autonomous working style.
* Ability to meet tight deadlines.
* Flexibility, self‑motivation and a sense of humour.
Other Requirements
* Current driver’s licence and ability to drive.
* DBS Check.
* Pass Occupational Health Check.
* Adaptability to a range of physical environments.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975; Disclosure and Barring Service checks will be required.
Salary
£49,387 to £56,515 per annum pro‑rata.
Contact
South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust
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