Job overview
To work with the multi-disciplinary team at Acorns with children aged 0-5 who have complex communication, learning, physical and medical needs and their families / carers.
To provide a specialist clinical and advisory Speech and Language Therapy service to children and young people with speech, language, and communication needs attending special schools in Bexley. This may include children and young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Learning Disabilities (LD), including those with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD). The postholder will be an integral member of the multidisciplinary team working with class-teachers, learning support assistants, head teacher, therapists, and the child’s family / carers.
**Important Sponsorship Information for this post: We are unable to offer a certificate of sponsorship for this post.**
Main duties of the job
- To manage a complex communication caseload independently, accessing clinical/managerial supervision on a regular basis and to make a differential diagnosis based on evidence from assessment, seeking advice and referring to other agencies when appropriate
- To be responsible for the planning, and evaluation of evidence-based therapy interventions. To monitor and review the progress of therapy programmes implemented and facilitate modifications of interventions / targets as appropriate.
- To use and promote the use of alternative and augmentative communication (AAC), as appropriate for the child and their environment. This will require joint working with parents/carers/education staff to plan and create an environment which facilitates communication and maximises the child’s potential.
- To seek up-to-date information on alternative and augmentative means of communication including sign, symbols and power-based systems, and to write reports reflecting specialist knowledge.
- To provide advice / second opinions to others regarding the management of specialist client group.
- To contribute to clinical teams including inter-agency/multi-disciplinary teams by discussing own and others’ input around clients’ needs, ensuring a well-co-ordinated care plan.
- To ensure that parents/carers/children/education staff are involved in the planning and prioritisation of care plans wherever possible.
- To demonstrate skills in dealing with complex issues
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details relating to this post
Person specification
Skills
Essential
- Excellent presentation skills, both verbal and written, of complex information to professionals and carers.
- Team player who is keen to be part of service innovation and development
- Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills
Experience
Essential
- Knowledge and experience of ‘no tech’ and paper-based alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) methods.
- Experience of effectively managing own caseload.
Desirable
- Knowledge and experience of power-based AAC methods.
- Clinical experience of assessment and intervention of children with complex developmental and speech, language communication needs, including in early years and special school settings.
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree qualifications or Equivalent
- Registration with HCPC-Licence to Practice
- Registered Member of Royal College of Speech & Language Therapist
- Evidence of completion of a range of generic and specialist short courses at post graduate level e.g. alternative and augmentative communication (AAC); Attention Autism; SCERTS etc.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Specialist Speech and Language Therapist with Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust in Dartford, London, England. It is listed as a Band 6 Speech and Language Therapist role. The advertised salary is £45,953 - £54,254 pa inc. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 25 Jun 2026.
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