Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust

Speech and Language Therapist
The closing date is 24 November 2026

Job summary
Please note: at this stage, the role is open only to colleagues currently employed within Kent and Medway NHS Trusts, the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Medway Community Healthcare or working on the Staff Bank within these organisations. Nursing and AHP vacancies are also open to Student Nurses and Newly Qualified Nurses/AHPs.

We are seeking a dynamic and enthusiastic Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist to join our friendly team in the Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley area (High Cost Living Allowance will be considered as appropriate).

We have a permanent Band 5 SLT post available, working across Early Years caseloads in a range of community, clinic and Early Years settings. This may include Talking Walk-ins and other Early Years provision, clinics and community-based services.

The post is suitable for an NQP, with opportunities to develop experience across a range of areas of paediatric Speech and Language Therapy, including speech, DLD, AAC and severe and complex needs. We offer a supportive induction, regular line management and clinical supervision, alongside in-house and external training and clinical governance days.

Main duties of the job
As a Band 5 Speech and Language Therapist you will:

• Help deliver The Balanced System, working with families, Early Years settings and partners to provide Specialist, Targeted and Universal support for SLCN.
• Provide assessment, intervention and advice for children and families across Early Years caseloads.
• Plan, deliver and adapt individual and group interventions according to the needs of children and families.
• Deliver training and support to parents/carers, Early Years staff and other professionals.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across Health, Education and other services to support joined-up care.
• Participate in supervision, reflective practice and ongoing professional development.
• Engage children and families in feedback and service development.

About us
Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust is currently undertaking a significant programme of transformation to align our community services to the new Neighbourhood Model of care delivery, there will be a period of consultation which may result in changes affecting some services, teams or roles. Depending on the area you are applying to work in, this could include potential changes to your role, work base, reporting arrangements, or terms and conditions of employment. Any changes would be subject to consultation and managed sensitively and in line with relevant employment processes. Please do contact the recruiting manager if you have any concerns about this so they can answer any questions you might have.

Rated 'Outstanding' by CQC, we deliver high-quality care that improves the health of our communities. We are looking for people who share our values: Compassionate, Aspirational, Responsive and Excellent.

We are proud to be an inclusive, welcoming organisation and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We use protected characteristic information for monitoring only and it is not seen by recruiting managers, except where applicants choose to be considered under our disability guaranteed interview scheme.

We know life outside work matters. As a flexible working-friendly organisation, we welcome conversations about arrangements that help you thrive while supporting excellent care for our patients.

Details

• Date posted: 10 November 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 5
• Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year per annum pro rata
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: 846-8380598-UJ

Job 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 kentchft.recruitment@nhs.net, 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 cant wait to meet you and welcome you to #teamKCHFT, #cometocommunity.

Person Specification
Qualifications, training and experience
Essential

• You will have a Level 6 Degree or equivalent qualification, or equivalent knowledge acquired through experience plus a diploma i.e. Speech and Language Therapist.
• You'll need to have recent experience of healthcare gained through education, work experience or previous employment.
• You will be a registered health care professional with the Health Care Professionals Council.

Knowledge and skills
Essential

• You'll need have sound communication skills to understand and communicate both verbally and in writing.
• You will need to be able to be able to use IT systems and databases.
• You'll need to be adaptable in work as things change as part of working in a wider team.
• You will have knowledge of up-to-date clinical practice by using up-to-date skills and adhering to evidence-based procedures and clinical effectiveness frameworks.

Desirable

• Having an awareness of developments within the NHS would be an advantage.

Working environment
Essential

• Tact and sensitivity will be essential in this role. There will be times when you see distressing situations which may include vulnerable, violent or aggressive patients. You will need to adapt your style to provide reassurance and empathy.
• A full, valid UK driving licence or a full driving licence issued by an EU country (not exchanged from a non-EU country) and the ability to travel independently are essential for this role.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Gravesham Community Hospital, Gravesend, DA11 0DG, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Locality Clinical Manager, MariaLoukia Bratsou, marialoukia.bratsou@nhs.net

Supporting documents
Privacy notice: Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice.

Applications are welcome from all backgrounds in line with our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.