Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust logo

Children's Specialist Speech and Language Therapist


Location
Ashford, England
Salary
£39,959 - £48,117 per annum pro rata
Profession
Speech and Language Therapist
Grade
Band 6
Deadline
05 Jul 2026
Contract Type
Permanent
Posted Date
19 Jun 2026
Medical Protection — indemnity for locally employed doctors from £79

Job overview

We are seeking dynamic and enthusiastic Paediatric Speech and Language Therapists to join our friendly team in North West Kent (Maidstone, Tonbridge and Malling, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks, Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley - High Cost Living Allowance will be considered as appropriate). The Children’s Therapies service provides Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Care Co-ordination services to Children and Young People aged 0-19. We have a number of Band 6 SLT sessions available on a permanent basis in a range of venues and across client groups, within our school years' team in mainstream schools, specialist provisions and clinics. The posts are suitable for a current Band 6 looking for a new opportunity, or for Band 5 post-preceptor staff wishing to progress in their career and can be offered as a development post. If the post/s are offered as a development posts (from Band 5 to 6), the post holder would remain on Band 5 salary for a specific time (usually 6-9 months) to meet Band 6 objectives. We currently offer a hybrid work pattern for staff with a combination of face to face and virtual working.

Main duties of the job

As a B6 Speech and Language Therapist you will: • Help us deliver ‘The Balanced System’®, working with schools and settings to provide Specialist, Targeted and Universal support for SLCN. • Provide assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of holistic care linked to packages of prescribed care or identified projects. • Support in the supervision and development of staff. • Actively work as a member of the Children’s Therapies team to provide high quality care to service users. • Undertake a range of competent clinical and non-clinical interventions to support the outcomes of the service. • Act as lead and senior practitioner to support junior staff carry out assessment/reassessments of service users and/or pathways with complex needs across the relevant field. The successful applicants will join our large Children’s Therapies team. We pride ourselves on the support and induction offered to new staff including: regular meetings with a line manager; access to supervision; in-house and external training. We offer regular clinical governance days where all localities come together to share knowledge, skills and CPD experiences. As a Band 6 you will be supported by Band 7 Clinical Leads from both within locality and across Kent. Candidates will need to be able to drive as we deliver our services in clinics, schools and settings across our locality.

Detailed job description and main 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 [email protected], 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 difference here.

Good luck! We can’t wait to meet you and welcome you to #teamKCHFT, #cometocommunity.

Person specification

Knowledge

Essential

  • Understanding of National Service Frameworks and NICE guidance to relevant to care setting and its application across health care services ; Ability to communicate complex, sensitive information to individuals and groups; Evidence of continued relevant professional development and implementation in practice

Experience

Essential

  • Demonstratable experience in area of practice ; practical experience in managing complex caseloads; evidence of being a mentor, supervisor or educator

Qualifications

Essential

  • Health related degree and evidence of relevant post graduate development at Level 6 & HCPC Registered

Desirable

  • Masters level study or working towards; Management or supervisory qualification or experience of study

Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Ability to manage time effectively; Strong influencing and negotiating skills ; Ability to work effectively with a variety of people at all organisational levels across different sectors including areas of social deprivation

Personal Attributes & Ability to Manage

Essential

  • Ability to motivate and organise others to ensure best practice ; Ability to manage and lead change ; Evidence of implementing local or national agendas on health related issues

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Applying for this NHS job

This advert is for Children's Specialist Speech and Language Therapist with Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust in Ashford, South East, England. It is listed as a Band 6 Speech and Language Therapist role. The advertised salary is £39,959 - £48,117 per annum pro rata. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 05 Jul 2026.

Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (19 Jun 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.

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