Speech Therapy Assistant

Job summary

We are excited to be recruiting a motivated and enthusiastic Band 3 Speech and Language Therapy Assistant to join our Adult Speech and Language Therapy service at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. This post is offered at Band 3 as a development opportunity. The successful candidate will be supported through induction, supervision and competency-based development to work towards the skills and responsibilities associated with a Band 4 Speech and Language Therapy Assistant Practitioner role. Progression will be dependent on successful achievement of agreed competencies, service requirements and relevant Trust processes.

Main duties of the job

This is a newly developed role within our service, designed to strengthen support across pathways where clinical need spans both acute inpatient care and specialist areas, including Head and Neck cancer pathways. The post holder will work closely with qualified Speech and Language Therapists to support high-quality care for patients with communication and swallowing needs, contributing to therapy programmes, rehabilitation, patient support, resource development and administrative duties. At Band 3 level, the post holder will work under the direction of qualified Speech and Language Therapists to deliver delegated therapy tasks and programmes, support patients individually or in groups, prepare therapy materials and resources, maintain accurate records, and assist with service administration. As skills and competencies develop, there will be opportunities to work towards increased responsibility, including more autonomous delegated clinical work, supporting education and training, and contributing to service development activity. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with experience in health, social care, education or therapeutic support who is keen to develop within Adult Speech and Language Therapy. We are particularly keen to hear from candidates who are compassionate, organised, proactive and interested in developing knowledge and skills in dysphagia, communication support and specialist adult clinical pathways.

About us

The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is committed to delivering the highest quality and safest treatment and care to every patient, every time. Our vision is to provide the highest quality specialist and integrated care. We will do this through delivery of our multi-year goals and strategic priorities, which you can read about on this page. Central to it all is The Leeds Way our values and behaviours that are at the heart of everything we do.

Details

• Date posted: 14 August 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 3
• Salary: £25,760 to £27,476 a year
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: 001885
• Job locations: Cross Site, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 3EX, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

For questions about this job, contact:

Adult SLT department via email: leedsth-tr.sltreferrals@nhs.net or Alison Croasdale (highly specialised speech and language therapist) alison.croasdale@nhs.net

Shortlisting Date: 31.08.26

Interview Date: w/c 07.09.26

Why this role?

This post offers:

• A Band 3 entry point into a developing Adult SLT assistant workforce.
• A clear opportunity to work towards Band 4 Assistant Practitioner competencies over time.
• Experience supporting patients with communication and swallowing difficulties across acute and specialist pathways.
• The opportunity to work closely with experienced Speech and Language Therapists in a supportive and forward-thinking service.
• Development of clinical, administrative, organisational and therapy support skills.
• Involvement in preparing therapy resources, supporting therapy programmes, maintaining records and contributing to audit or service improvement activity.
• Exposure to specialist adult services, including acute inpatient care and Head and Neck cancer pathways.
• Access to supervision, induction, mandatory training, in-service learning and continuing professional development.

Why you should join our Team

The post holder will join a highly supportive and innovative Speech and Language Therapy Service comprising 34wte SLTs serving ENT/Maxillofacial/Head and Neck, Neurosciences, Acute Medicine including complex airways and Outpatients. The Department offers comprehensive supervision in conjunction with a well-established Continuing Professional Development program and access to regular staff meetings.

You will be working with one of the most forward-thinking, pioneering and well-respected Trusts in the UK. With St Jamess University Hospital and Leeds General Infirmary being two of the largest teaching hospitals in Europe, our reputation for excellence has seen us train thousands of medical specialists who now practive all over the world.

When youre working with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, youll enjoy a strong performance management culture where everyone is clear about their responsibilities, works to the values of the organisation and is empowered to embrace continuous personal and professional improvement. Weve created a culture where people take a real pride in their work, respect each other and all work together to deliver the most exceptional standards of patient care. We have a happy, productive work environment where everyone in every role plays their own important part in our success.

For further information on the above post please contact:

Email: The Adult speech and language therapy department leedsth-tr.sltreferrals@nhs.net Or Allie Croasdale (highly specialised speech and language therapist) alison.croasdale@nhs.net

Planned Interview date: Within first 2 weeks of September

What you will bring to the role

You will have:

• Experience of working with people in a health, social care, education or support setting.
• An understanding of the role of Speech and Language Therapy, or a willingness to learn.
• Good written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Confidence using IT systems, including Microsoft Office, email and administrative systems.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to prioritise work in a busy clinical environment.
• A compassionate, patient-centred approach.
• The ability to work as part of a team and follow direction from qualified clinicians.
• An awareness of confidentiality, health and safety, and professional boundaries.
• A willingness to undertake training and work towards agreed competencies.
• An interest in supporting people with communication and/or swallowing difficulties.

As the role develops, you will be supported to build the skills required for progression towards Band 4 Assistant Practitioner responsibilities. This may include developing greater confidence in delegated clinical work, contributing to training and education, supporting quality improvement activity, and working with increasing independence within agreed competencies.

Please see the attached job description for further information about this vacancy.

About Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust

Our Trust values

The Leeds Way is working together to support each other and deliver the best possible care to patients.

We are.

Responsible Open and Honest One Team Kind

Our Trust priorities

Our purpose: Excellent, safe and sustainable care for every patient every time

Our priorities:

People Improvement and Innovation Partnerships Outcomes

Sponsorship Eligibility

To comply with UK Government regulations on Skilled Worker sponsorship, Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust is unable to provide sponsorship to applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria or the salary threshold concessions set out under the Skilled Worker visa route. Please take this into consideration before submitting your application. Full guidance on these concessions, including details of who may qualify, can be found here.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high number of suitable applications.