Band 7 Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist
Band 7
Job overview
Do you have a passion for supporting the communication needs of Children and Young People (CYP) with Special Educational Needs? Would you like the opportunity to deliver therapy provision for CYP with Education Health and Care Plans (EHCP), and develop service relationships with their families?
We are thrilled to offer an exciting opportunity to join our dynamic Children and Young People's (CYP) Therapies Service as a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist. The post-holder would have a dedicated therapy caseload, as well as opportunities to support the wider team work with families of CYP with EHCPs. You would work closely with the existing service lead for SEND appeals, as many of the families you will be supporting will have been through the SEND appeal process.
We are looking for 2 motivated and experienced Band 7 Speech and Language Therapists to join our growing team of therapists and therapy assistants. This role can be offered on a full-time or part-time basis and will involve supporting CYP across Hertfordshire (base can be agreed for successful candidate).
If you're passionate about making a real difference in children's lives and working in a collaborative, forward-thinking environment, we'd love to hear from you.
*Proposed interview date: 08-August- 2025*
Main duties of the job
You will be joining a well-established, supportive team of therapists and assistants. CYP Therapies at HCT pride ourselves on the support we provide to staff.
Your role will include:
* Extending the service’s support for CYP and their families following SEND appeals through the delivery of therapy provision
* Multidisciplinary working and working closely with Local Authority leads.
* Carrying out in depth assessments, providing reports and acting as a Witness at SEND appeal tribunals.
* Working closely with the Resolution and Reconciliation Lead, including deputising when requested.
* Supporting less experienced therapists to deliver interventions and contribute to annual reviews for children with SEND appeals or following resolution.
What We Offer
We believe in supporting our staff to grow, thrive and feel connected—professionally and personally. Here’s what you can expect:
* Half-termly group supervision and regular peer support
* Dedicated managerial supervision and a structured appraisal process
* CPD opportunities, including bitesize tutorials and peer review
* A supportive two-week induction with time to observe and shadow team members
* Access to a named buddy to help you settle into the team
Working for our organisation
A big thank you for considering joining us at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust
You’ll find it a great place to work with many benefits offered to you as a member of our staff
We put our patients, their families and carers at the centre of our vision - OutstandingServices and Healthier Communities
Our staff are proud to be Innovative, Caring and Agile in their work to help achieve the Trust
vision
We welcome diversity in our workforce and are interested in applicants from all
backgrounds
We don’t want you to miss out so we’d like you to know that if we have a high level ofinterest in this role, the vacancy may close prior to the advertised closing date, so pleasemake your application as soon as possible - Apply now
You’ve made a great decision to apply to join to HCT - we’re looking forward to taking thenext steps of the journey with you.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For a full overview of the role and responsibilities, please refer to the attached Job Description.
We’re looking for an enthusiastic, motivated clinician with strong communication, clinical reasoning, and organisational skills. You'll be a team player with the confidence to work autonomously and advocate for the needs of CYP. You'll provide professional and managerial supervision to less experienced colleagues, supporting their development and confidence.
In addition to the basic salary, this post attracts a High Cost Area Supplement of 5% of basic salary subject to a maximum payment of £1,915 per annum (pro rata where applicable and dependent on base location).
A full, valid driving licence and regular access to a car for business purposes is essential (unless you are covered under the Equality Act 2010).
HCT encourages all staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19, in line with current guidance, to help protect our patients, communities, and colleagues.
Interview date set for: 8th August 2025
Person specification
Qualifications and Training
* Recognised Speech & Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent (Post Graduate Diploma or MSc in Speech & Language Therapy)
* Evidence of post qualifying training and/or equivalent experience to maintain and develop highly specialist knowledge in area of specialism
* Registered to practice with Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC)
* Registered member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, Membership of relevant CEN
Experience and Knowledge
* Substantial clinical experience of the needs of children and young people with SEND
* Experience of effective co-production (including service users and/or their representatives) analysing their views and needs and jointly agreeing positive outcomes for children and young people with SEND
* In-depth knowledge and understanding of the Children and Families Act 2014 and SEN Code of Practice 0-25 (2014)
* Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of children's services at both a local and national level
* Experience of the Education, Health and Care planning process and pathway and SEND Appeals and of undertaking highly complex assessments.
* Understanding of SEND Appeals and Tribunal Process
* Experience of attendance and representation at SEND Tribunals
Skills and abilities
* Advanced oral and written communication at a high standard and strong negotiation skills to manage conflict and challenging situations.
* Able to respond to the learning style of others and demonstrate flexibility in own leadership style.
* Evaluates own performance through reflection, demonstrating own continuous learning and improvement
* Able to switch between different techniques and models of service delivery within a short space of time.
* Shows emotional intelligence and personal resilience.
* Manages own time and priorities autonomously
Other
* Hold a full valid driving licence and access to a car to use regularly for business purposes is essential (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).
We will communicate any interview arrangements with applicants via e-mail so it is advisable that you check the email address you give on your application on a regular basis.
Staff recruited from outside the NHS will usually be appointed at the bottom of the pay band. All new appointments (excluding Medical & Dental roles) are subject to a 26 week probation period.
We are proud to be an armed forces friendly employer and support the employment of the armed forces community, including veterans, spouses and partners. For more information, contact hct.armedforcesrecruitment@nhs.net
Applications from qualified job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications, subject to you meeting minimum criteria of the role and salary threshold. Please visit the Gov.UK website for detail.
If applicable to the role, staff are required to hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car to use with business insurance (unless the member of staff has a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).
In submitting an application form, you authorise Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust to confirm any previous NHS service details via the Electronic Staff Record Inter Authority Transfer process should you be appointed to the post.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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.
Name Katie Tucker Job title Operational Manager, CYP Therapies Email address katie.tucker1@nhs.net Telephone number 07833237273 Additional information
Louise Freeman ( Resolution and Reconciliation Lead for Speech and Language Therapy)
07825262875
louise.freeman1@nhs.net
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