Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for two SLT's who are passionate about working in the field of AAC. We are growingour team of East Sussex therapists who work in special schools and with pre-school children in the community. Flexible working, part-timehours and job share applications will be considered.
We are an integrated therapies team providing SLT, OT and PT services, working in collaboration with colleagues such as Paediatricians, Teachers and Dieticians.
This full-time vacancy is within East Sussex, but we can be flexible with the clinical base. We have clinical bases in Polegate, Hastings and Crowborough.
This role would help someone develop their skills in the evolving world of AAC. You will both be part of an innovative, cohesive andenthusiastic team of therapists working in the community and local special schools with children aged 0-19 years andtheir families.
This is an opportunity for therapists either with direct experience of working with children using AAC and knowledge of current assessment for these, or someone who would like to develop these skills. There is also an opportunity to developdysphagia skillsWe have a strong commitment to training and development with robust supervision and shadowing opportunities acrossthe service.
Please note we are also recruiting a Band 7 role in the same team, see vacancy UJ
Contact Kathryn Burbidge, Operations Manager on or for an informal conversation.
Main duties of the job
The successful applicant will:Carry out high quality assessments for children and young people who have complex needs.
Effectively communicate with children and their families as well as internal and external staff.
Produce high quality detailed reports in a timely manner.
Support the development of clinical care pathways in this specialist clinical area.
Participate in your own reflective practice and on-going learning in the field of AAC
Support staff working in the field of AAC have regular access to effective supervision, training and support to enhance their CPD in this area.
Hold responsibility for delegated line management and supervision of band 4 and 5 staff working within the team.
Work alongside the MDT in the local special schools.
Car owner/driver essential, subject to the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act
About us
Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we've got a passion for delivering high standards of patient care and excellent services to improve the health of our communities. To do this we need outstanding people who share our values compassionate Aspirational Responsive Excellent
We know a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion leads to better patient care and a happier workforce. We pride ourselves in being diverse and welcome applications from people with varied backgrounds, perspectives and experiences
We ask for information about your protected characteristics on our application forms. This isn't visible to anyone involved with shortlisting or interviewing you, except when you choose to be considered under the guaranteed interview scheme due to disability. Short listers will see two ticks alongside your application to ensure they apply the principles of the scheme to your submission
The data we collect helps us to ensure we are attracting diversity in our applicants, that all our colleagues have equitable access to career opportunities and supports us on our journey to being a Great Place to Work
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want you to be able to work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you. Talk to us about a flexible working arrangement that won't involve sacrificing time for personal interests or family commitments. We'll support you to work flexibly in a way that will suits us both
See where you can go with KCHFTcareer pathways
Details
Date posted
12 February 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 6
Salary
£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum pro rata
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
UJ
Job locations
Chaucer Clinic
Polegate
BN26 6QH
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please note: at this stage, the role is open only to colleagues currently employed within Kent and Medway NHS Trusts and the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB). Nursing vacancies are also open to Student Nurses and Newly Qualified Nurses.
Job responsibilities
As a community Trust, many of our roles require individuals to be able to drive to perform their duties. Where driving is a requirement of the role, you will be asked to confirm that you hold a full UK driving licence or a full driving licence issued by an EU country (not exchanged from a non-EU country) to proceed with your application. We are committed to supporting candidates with disabilities into employment. If you are unable to drive due to a disability, please contact the Recruitment Team via, quoting the vacancy reference number, so we can support you further.
The job description and person specification gives you all the information you need about this role. Please look carefully at the criteria in the person specification and tell us what you have done that shows you meet this in your application. If you need an application form in an alternative format please let our recruitment team know. All information you supply on your application should, to the best of your knowledge, be true and accurate.
Still have questions? The recruiting manager would love to hear from you, their contact details can be found in the job advert.
We can get a lot of applications for some roles so to be in with the best chance of being shortlisted please make sure you apply as soon as possible. A vacancy may close early if there is a lot of interest in the job.
At KCHFT we strongly encourage colleagues in clinical and non-clinical roles who have direct or social contact with patients to be fully vaccinated. In this way we will be doing all we can to ensure your safety and that of your colleagues and the patients we serve.
Find out more about the community differencehere.
Good luck We cant wait to meet you and welcome you to #teamKCHFT, #cometocommunity.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please note: at this stage, the role is open only to colleagues currently employed within Kent and Medway NHS Trusts and the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB). Nursing vacancies are also open to Student Nurses and Newly Qualified Nurses.
Job responsibilities
As a community Trust, many of our roles require individuals to be able to drive to perform their duties. Where driving is a requirement of the role, you will be asked to confirm that you hold a full UK driving licence or a full driving licence issued by an EU country (not exchanged from a non-EU country) to proceed with your application. We are committed to supporting candidates with disabilities into employment. If you are unable to drive due to a disability, please contact the Recruitment Team via, quoting the vacancy reference number, so we can support you further.
The job description and person specification gives you all the information you need about this role. Please look carefully at the criteria in the person specification and tell us what you have done that shows you meet this in your application. If you need an application form in an alternative format please let our recruitment team know. All information you supply on your application should, to the best of your knowledge, be true and accurate.
Still have questions? The recruiting manager would love to hear from you, their contact details can be found in the job advert.
We can get a lot of applications for some roles so to be in with the best chance of being shortlisted please make sure you apply as soon as possible. A vacancy may close early if there is a lot of interest in the job.
At KCHFT we strongly encourage colleagues in clinical and non-clinical roles who have direct or social contact with patients to be fully vaccinated. In this way we will be doing all we can to ensure your safety and that of your colleagues and the patients we serve.
Find out more about the community differencehere.
Good luck We cant wait to meet you and welcome you to #teamKCHFT, #cometocommunity.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* Registered health care professional (HCPC registration).
* Health related degree and evidence of relevant post graduate development at Level 6.
* Evidence of Specialist qualifications relevant to area of practice evidenced through self-learning and/ or attendance at short courses. It is not expected that the job-holder will hold specialist knowledge in all of these areas on taking the post but they will be able to evidence knowledge across most of these areas: Relevant learning for this post includes pre-verbal communication e.g. intensive interaction; attention autism; low, light and high-tech AAC; accredited dysphagia qualification; language and speech therapeutic approaches, e.g. Nuffield, colourful semantics; SEMH and sensory strategies
Desirable
* Management or supervisory qualification or experience of study
Experience
Essential
* Demonstratable experience in area of practice.
* Practical experience in managing health related projects/complex caseloads.
* Supporting others (mentor / educator / supervisor ) experience
Desirable
* Experience of leading and managing teams
Special Knowledge and Expertise
Essential
* Understanding of National Service Frameworks and NICE guidance to relevant to care setting and its application across health care services.
* Evidence of continued relevant professional development and implementation in practice within the last 12 months
Skills and Abilities
Essential
* Understanding of training needs in relation to post.
* Ability to manage time effectively, priorities and work under pressure to meet deadlines.
* Ability to work effectively with a variety of people at all organisational levels across different sectors including areas of social deprivation.
* Ability to communicate complex, sensitive information to individuals and groups.
* Strong influencing and negotiating skills.
Personal Attributes
Essential
* Ability to motivate and organise others to ensure best practice. Ability to manage and lead change.
Ability to Manage
Essential
* Able to support the implementation of local and national agenda's for health under the guidance of the senior Practitioner.
* Ability to prioritise care delivery in a professional manner, taking into account Trust policies and procedures.
* Ability to manage own time effectively.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* Registered health care professional (HCPC registration).
* Health related degree and evidence of relevant post graduate development at Level 6.
* Evidence of Specialist qualifications relevant to area of practice evidenced through self-learning and/ or attendance at short courses. It is not expected that the job-holder will hold specialist knowledge in all of these areas on taking the post but they will be able to evidence knowledge across most of these areas: Relevant learning for this post includes pre-verbal communication e.g. intensive interaction; attention autism; low, light and high-tech AAC; accredited dysphagia qualification; language and speech therapeutic approaches, e.g. Nuffield, colourful semantics; SEMH and sensory strategies
Desirable
* Management or supervisory qualification or experience of study
Experience
Essential
* Demonstratable experience in area of practice.
* Practical experience in managing health related projects/complex caseloads.
* Supporting others (mentor / educator / supervisor ) experience
Desirable
* Experience of leading and managing teams
Special Knowledge and Expertise
Essential
* Understanding of National Service Frameworks and NICE guidance to relevant to care setting and its application across health care services.
* Evidence of continued relevant professional development and implementation in practice within the last 12 months
Skills and Abilities
Essential
* Understanding of training needs in relation to post.
* Ability to manage time effectively, priorities and work under pressure to meet deadlines.
* Ability to work effectively with a variety of people at all organisational levels across different sectors including areas of social deprivation.
* Ability to communicate complex, sensitive information to individuals and groups.
* Strong influencing and negotiating skills.
Personal Attributes
Essential
* Ability to motivate and organise others to ensure best practice. Ability to manage and lead change.
Ability to Manage
Essential
* Able to support the implementation of local and national agenda's for health under the guidance of the senior Practitioner.
* Ability to prioritise care delivery in a professional manner, taking into account Trust policies and procedures.
* Ability to manage own time effectively.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Chaucer Clinic
Polegate
BN26 6QH
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)
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Employer details
Employer name
Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Chaucer Clinic
Polegate
BN26 6QH
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)
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