Overview
Islington Additional Needs and Disability Service (IANDS) has a vacancy for a Speech and Language Therapy Assistant to join the Early Language Support for Every Child (ELSEC) team. ELSEC is a pilot initiative designed to support education settings in identifying and supporting children with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN). The programme focuses on children accessing the Islington Universal Offer in mainstream schools. ELSEC is testing a new model where a team of Speech and Language Therapy Assistants (SLTAs) delivers universal and targeted support directly to schools. The aim is to build school staff confidence and capacity to continue supporting children's language development during and after the programme. The successful candidate will receive full training and support to deliver screening assessments and interventions to children and provide training, modelling and coaching to education staff. The programme is expanding to Islington and Enfield.
To learn more about the programme, please visit the Department for Education.
Details: Date posted 13 October 2025
Main duties of the job
* Deliver screening assessments and provide training and coaching to staff in Early Years and Primary School settings. This includes training staff on how to carry out screening assessments and deliver targeted interventions. Work closely with teachers, teaching assistants, and other allied health professionals to support implementation. Regularly report on progress and share updates with senior Speech and Language Therapists.
* Use effective communication tools, verbal and non-verbal, to communicate with children who may have barriers to communicating or understanding.
* Assist the team with administrative and clinical work to support the smooth running of the team.
* Be responsible for making resources, maintaining equipment, keeping clinical notes, and keeping clinical and office spaces in good condition.
* Organise and prioritise your own work and adhere to Trust policies and procedures, especially in relation to child safeguarding.
* Report any accident/incident via Trust procedures.
* Monitor and record children's progression towards therapy aims.
About Us
Whittington Health serves a richly diverse population and aims to be fair and accessible to everyone. The Trust values differences in age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, and religion or belief. We strive to treat patients well and to be a good place to work.
Details
Date posted: 13 October 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for Change
Band: Band 4
Salary: £33,094 to £36,195 a year Per Annum Including HCAS
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 9 months
Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working, Compressed hours
Reference number: 220-WHT-3310-A
Job locations: Northern Health Centre, 580 Holloway Road, Islington, N7 6LD
Job Description
See Attached Job Description For Further Information:
Job responsibilities
* Leadership
* To participate in the development of an effective team and productive working relationships throughout the Trust.
* To actively promote integrated health professional working internally and externally.
* To facilitate the development of a positive and supportive team culture by taking responsibility for dealing effectively with potential conflict.
* To take an active interest in working parties and groups within the Trust to develop and improve on service delivery, protocols and guidelines.
* To contribute to transformation, change and development in services.
* To participate in the audit process, linking in with the clinical governance agenda.
Clinical Skills
* Further professional knowledge will have been gained through accredited courses, workshops, study and in-house training programmes.
* To develop own skills and knowledge and provide information to others to help their development.
* To be responsible, and accountable, for service delivery to clients/patients under the supervision of a Speech and Language Therapist.
* To provide patients and relatives with information and education, ensuring meaningful choices that promote dignity, independence, and quality of life.
* To work frequently without direct supervision in a variety of community settings (e.g., community clinics, nurseries, children centers, schools, homes).
* To modify and adapt activities to suit each situation as needed.
Computer/Administration
* To be computer literate and support the Trust’s IM&T strategy.
* To ensure accurate recording of actions, and updating patient records, maintaining confidentiality at all times.
* To assist in planning and administration relating to day-to-day running of the caseload.
Communication
* To have a wide range of knowledge in approaches to communicating and managing patient care.
* To effectively communicate with colleagues, peers, senior managers and clinical leads within the Trust.
* To anticipate barriers to communication and take action to improve communication in self and others.
* To develop and maintain communication with people about difficult matters and/or in difficult situations.
* To communicate patient-related information facilitating positive outcomes and ensuring collaborative working.
* Participate in the review and development of clinical policies and identify improvements to service provision.
* To seek out different styles and methods of communication to meet needs of clients and others.
Training
* To ensure own continued professional development and support a culture of lifelong learning in self and others.
* To undertake, and assist, in planning mandatory training and workshops.
* To undertake regular appraisal and develop a personal development plan with clinical competencies aligned to local health needs and Trust strategy.
* To support new staff and their integration within the team and provide learning opportunities to others.
* To support training as part of the role, including changes to professional development and implementation of new policies and guidelines.
Person Specification
Education
* Essential: Relevant prior experience related to job description and working with children.
Desirable
* NVQ level 2/3 or minimum of 5 GCSEs or equivalent.
Skills & Abilities
* Basic IT skills
* Good organisational skills
* Effective communication, especially where understanding is challenging
* Good record-keeping standards
* Identifies own strengths and development needs
* Knows when to seek support
* Ability to reflect on practice with peers/clinical supervisor
Knowledge & Experience
* At least two years' experience working with Children and Young People
* Evidence of continued development in a therapy area
* Experience in education or working with education colleagues
* Experience of working effectively in a team
* Experience of delivering interventions to children following advice of another professional
Other
* Awareness of Trust values
* Ability to travel efficiently throughout the area
* Excellent interpersonal skills, able to listen well
* Empathy with clients, carers, families and colleagues
Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service will be required.
Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.
Employer details: Whittington Hospital NHS Trust, Northern Health Centre, 580 Holloway Road, Islington, N7 6LD. Website: https://www.whittington.nhs.uk/
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