<div><h3>Specialist Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist</h3><h3>Band 6</h3><p>Main area: Speech and Language Therapist. Grade: Band 6. Contract: Permanent. Hours: 30 hours per week (part time, term time). Job ref: 343-7845843-AG-B.</p><p>Site: Perseid School Town Morden. Salary: £45,953 – £54,254 per annum. Closing date: 15/06/2026 23:59.</p><p>At Epsom and St Helier Hospitals, respect is our foundation. We value kindness, professionalism, positivity and teamwork to provide excellent patient care.</p><h3>Job overview</h3><p>The post holder will provide a highly specialist speech and language therapy service for children and young people with severe and complex learning difficulties in Perseid special schools, in accordance with the Service Level Agreement for Sutton Health and Care Alliance. They will contribute to the development of the special schools speech and language therapy service, plan and provide highly specialist assessment, advice and treatment to a defined caseload, and work in partnership with families, school staff and the wider health team to support social, emotional and learning outcomes.</p><h3>Main duties of the job</h3><ul><li>Manage a defined clinical caseload of children and young people attending Perseid special schools, prioritising workload to ensure effective service provision.</li><li>Assess, diagnose, treat and manage children with eating and drinking difficulties, including assessment, diagnosis and treatment as appropriate.</li><li>Provide support and training to families and school staff to enable eating and drinking programmes to be implemented as part of clients’ therapy packages.</li><li>Assess, diagnose, treat and manage a defined caseload of early years children with complex communication needs within the school, including the use of AAC devices where identified.</li><li>Provide training to enable speech and language communication programmes to be implemented as part of the client’s therapy package.</li><li>Participate in planning the development of the speech and language service in liaison with the school management team, Therapy lead, and Service Manager for Children’s Specialist Nursing and Therapies.</li><li>Serve as a resource to the SHC Alliance speech and language service and other agencies.</li></ul><h3>Person specification</h3><h3>Education/Qualification</h3><ul><li>Degree/Diploma in Speech and Language Therapy.</li><li>Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.</li><li>Postgraduate dysphagia training at foundation level and working towards Proficient level.</li><li>Evidence of attendance at short courses to develop specialist skills.</li><li>Evidence of additional training in use of high‑tech AAC.</li><li>Registration with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.</li></ul><h3>Experience</h3><ul><li>Specialist knowledge/experience in paediatric SLT including dysphagia, communication for under 5 and high‑tech AAC.</li><li>Experience working with children and young people with eating and drinking difficulties, complex needs and those requiring an AAC approach.</li><li>Knowledge/experience of evidence‑based assessment and treatment approaches and practices.</li><li>Evidence of effective multi‑agency work.</li><li>Evidence of use of prioritisation, clinical risk assessments and outcome measures.</li><li>Experience in setting up new projects/initiatives.</li></ul><h3>Skills/Abilities/Knowledge</h3><ul><li>Good knowledge of AAC devices appropriate for this population.</li><li>Specialist knowledge and understanding of dysphagia to enable appropriate clinical decision‑making and risk management.</li><li>Excellent interpersonal communication skills including observation, listening and empathy.</li><li>Good organisation/time‑management skills.</li></ul><h3>Other Relevant Requirements</h3><ul><li>Ability to work autonomously.</li><li>Ability to work as a team member and promote collaborative multidisciplinary and multi‑agency approach.</li><li>Evidence of self‑development through appraisal, CPD and portfolio.</li><li>Capability to support and develop other team members.</li><li>Membership of relevant specialist groups.</li></ul><h3>Safeguarding and DBS Checks</h3><p>We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. For roles with direct access to these groups, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be required. All staff must understand and uphold safeguarding responsibilities.</p><h3>Employer certification / accreditation badges</h3><p>Applicants must have appropriate UK professional registration.</p></div>