Specialist Speech and Language TherapistThe closing date is 28 July 2026Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Job summaryThe Children's Integrated Speech and Language Therapy Service for Hackney and the City is a unique collaboration between local health and education agencies. By pooling resources, the service is able to provide high quality, comprehensive services to the children, young people and families within Hackney and The City.
The post holder will provide a high-quality specialist speech and language therapy service to children and young people within the specified clinical areas: Mainstream Primary Schools (in Hackney and other London boroughs), Early Years and within Locality Inclusion Teams which are the Experts at Hand offer in Hackney.
Main duties of the jobIn conjunction with families the post holder will assess, where possible within their first language, and diagnose children with a range of speech, language and communication needs. He /she will contribute to the multi-professional assessment of children and young people with language and communication, and in some posts eating and drinking needs. He/she will plan and implement specialist programmes of support and intervention for these children and young people as part of the multi-disciplinary team.
The post holder will raise awareness of speech, language and communication development through training for parents, children's centre staff and other multi-agency professionals across a wide cultural spectrum
About usHomerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a high performing and flourishing organisation serving the population of Hackney, East London, The City and beyond.
We are extremely proud of the fact that Homerton Hospital has recently attained the highest possible rating of "Outstanding" from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Our integrated Trust provides comprehensive hospital and community health services for its local population and a range of specialist services for a wider group of patients. In addition, the Trust manages services out of St Leonard's Hospital and the Mary Seacole Nursing Home.
Homerton aims to ensure equality and value diversity, and we are committed to inclusion for all of our staff. This is reflected in our policies, procedures and People Plan. All of our staff are expected to embody our Trust values at all times.
We are also committed, through our Fair Recruitment Standards, to ensuring all applicants are treated fairly.
Homerton has a proud tradition of supporting and developing its staff, including its well-regarded and valued nursing community, and all staff are able to take advantage of a great range of benefits.
Homerton is proud to have been included on the HSJ & Nursing Times Best Places to Work list.
Job responsibilitiesA detailed job description and person specification is attached. The main duties of the job are:
- Within a range of designated settings, such as Childrens Centres, nurseries, schools(primary and secondary), playgroups, the post holder will work closely with families and professionals to support young people with a wide range of speech, language and communication needs.
- Will work as part of a team of skilled Speech and Language Therapists (SaLT) who work across a range of specialisms within the locality team to ensure that holistic and continuous care is provided.
- Will support the work of less experienced Speech and Language Therapists by joint working. Provide full speech and language therapy student placements including assessment of students. Supervise the work of assistants and volunteers and explain the role of the Speech and Language Therapist to visitors, students and other professionals.
- Work closely with the relevant multi-disciplinary teams, including across Hackney Education and Hackney Ark
- Work closely with parents and carers ensuring that they are involved at each step and are well informed of their childs speech, language and communication needs and have strategies to support their child.
- Inform and consult with Clinical Lead Specialists and SaLT Service Managers regarding potential pressures or developments that impact on the SaLT service in the specified clinical areas.
Person SpecificationEducation/QualificationsEssential- Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent (Post-Graduate Diploma or MSc in Speech and Language therapy leading to registration with HCPC)
- Health and Care Professions Council - Licence to Practice
- Successful completion of specialist courses relevant to the specialism
Desirable- Clinical supervisors course for staff and students
- Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapist
Skills and AbilitiesEssential- Excellent interpersonal skills - including observation, listening tact, persuasion and empathy skills
- Well developed negotiation, problem solving and conflict resolution skills
- Ability to work collaboratively with children, parents and colleagues
- Ability to share sensitive and complex information with families and professionals.
- Able to recognise and seek advice appropriately.
- Able to deal with complaints sensitively.
- Demonstrates good analytical and reflection skills
- Ability to work to deadlines as required by line manager
- Ability to contribute to project work associated with developing and evaluating new services.
- Ability to work independently (i.e., line manager off site)
- Ability to use and interpret assessment tool of choice for particular client/s
- Ability to plan alone or in a group for clinical sessions and team work
- Good organisational and prioritisation skills
- Computer literacy (Able to us Microsoft office including Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel and Word, and electronic records )
- Good presentation skills, both written and verbal
Desirable- Speaker of other relevant community language
ExperienceEssential- Post-graduate experience in relevant specialist area
- Evidence of having received mentoring support in the relevant specialist area
- Experience of providing clinical supervision to SaLT students
- Experience of instigating and managing change
Desirable- Other relevant experience (eg personal experience of children, previous experience of working with children and /or people with other disabilities)
KnowledgeEssential- Well established understanding of principles of assessment and intervention for bilingual children
- Knowledge of standards of record keeping and confidentiality issues
- Understanding of the roles of other professionals (relevant to the client group)
- Understanding of the principles of clinical governance /audit
- Well established knowledge of national policies and procedures (relevant to the specialist client group)
- Well established knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions (relevant to the client group) and an ability to compare and contrast relative benefits
- Well established knowledge of assessment tools relevant to the client group.
Desirable- Passion for the clinical area
- A commitment to equal opportunities and understanding of the Trust values
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.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).Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). 
