Job Title: Level 1 / 2 / 3 Paediatric or Mixed Adult & Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist – St Albans
Contract type: Full time / Part time
Location: Based in our clinics and schools services in the above area.
Essential: RCSLT and HCPC registered; fully qualified Speech & Language Therapist. Experience and passion for supporting children and young people with a broad range of communication needs. Fully licensed car driver with access to a car as this role will require some travel within reasonable distances for outreach appointments and settings.
Salary: £30,327 to £45,450 p/a, dependent on level of experience. This includes 11.5 weeks per year of paid annual leave and other benefits.
Job start date: April 2027
Please note: we are a predominantly paediatric service with a well‑established, diverse children’s caseload. Our adult provision is growing and developing. Applicants interested in a mixed post should be aware that the caseload is currently weighted towards paediatrics, with some adult work.Job PurposeMake independent decisions about caseload management. Gain extensive clinical experience and expertise to improve and develop skills through training, support and study. Take students on placements for clinical teaching and supervision, with support, once having completed basic RCSLT competencies. Level 1 SaLTs who have completed their competencies can take on students with support from more senior therapists. Level 2 and 3 SaLTs can take on students independently. Be responsible for the supervision of junior SaLTs, unqualified staff and volunteers (level 2 and 3 SaLTs only).
Duties & Responsibilities- To work collaboratively and liaise with a wide range of professions across a variety of locations and agencies.
- To attend and report to case conferences/review meetings, etc. for clients on the caseload, agreeing and negotiating management.
- To use empathy and good interpersonal skills to listen to and counsel clients and carers.
- To use negotiation skills to manage conflict.
- To attend and participate in professional meetings and other relevant meetings.
- To establish and maintain positive interpersonal relationships with other staff.
- To convey complex information clearly to clients, carers and other professionals both in verbal and written form.
- To provide specialist input to the Multidisciplinary Team at a range of client settings.
- To write and deliver training packages for SaLT and other professionals. (Level 2/3 SaLTs only)
- To meet with the Management Team to input into service policy design. (Level 3 SaLTs only)
Analytical & Judgmental- To make independent decisions about caseload management.
- To assess, develop and implement speech and language therapy treatment and discharge as appropriate.
- To make a differential diagnosis on the basis of evidence from assessment and design appropriate treatment based on analysis of profile of need.
Planning and Organisation / Client Care- To use skills to generate appropriate strategies for caseload management for complex clinical issues.
- To use clinical skills to generate written reports.
- To provide appropriate intervention and evaluate outcomes / provide advice to others regarding management and care of clients with communication and / or swallowing difficulties.
- To demonstrate good keyboard skills.
- To contribute to clinical teams, demonstrate a developing knowledge underpinned by current evidence-based practice and seek supervision from an appropriate specialist when need arises.
Policy & Service- To be aware of and adhere to the company health and safety requirements.
- Participation in the company incident reporting and risk management procedures.
- To use specialist knowledge to inform service and policy developments as appropriate and to implement policy within own specialist area.
- To demonstrate knowledge of, and adhere to, RCSLT Professional, Clinical and National/Local Clinical Guidelines.
- To participate in the development of local clinical guidelines informed by evidence of clinical specialism.
- To develop a working knowledge of relevant procedures/statutory requirements including: Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults, SEN procedures, and other legal frameworks.
Financial & Physical Resources- To monitor stock levels in own service area and request new equipment as appropriate.
- Does not hold budgetary responsibility but is aware of the need to plan non-pay expenditure.
- To work independently accessing appraisal within an Individual Performance Framework at pre-determined intervals ensuring that the objectives set include specific objectives relating to working with children, young people and / or adults, including those with hearing impairment.
- To attend relevant training (course, meetings and special interest groups) in order to maintain and develop skills and knowledge required of a specialist therapist working in this field. To keep up to date with new techniques and developments for the promotion and maintenance of good speech and language therapy practice in paediatrics and / or adults and maintain up to date HPC and RCSLT registration.
- To actively participate in reflective clinical supervision with peers/clinical supervisor in order to develop and enhance practice.
Information Resources- To participate in the development and delivery of specialist training (formal and informal) to others in area of communication and /or swallowing disorders of children and / or adults, with and without support and reflect on and evaluate training provided.
- To deal with initial complaints sensitively, informing the manager of any complaints made.
Additional Information- Working with small children - frequent requirement for sitting on child sized chairs or on the floor in restricted positions.
- Working with saliva - you may be exposed to the saliva and body fluids of children and/or adults you are working with.
- To apply skills in handling clients with disabilities with support.
- To transport speech and language therapy equipment to a variety of locations.
Mental Effort- To maintain intense concentration in all aspects of patient management for prolonged periods. In particular, to monitor auditory, visual and kinaesthetic aspects of client's communication, adapting and facilitating according to perceived client needs, including cultural and linguistic differences.
- To be flexible to the demands of the environment including unpredictable work patterns, deadlines and frequent interruptions.
- To maintain sensitivity at all times to the emotional needs of children, young people and / or adults and their carers, in particular when imparting potentially distressing information regarding the nature and implications of their difficulties.
- To form productive relationships with others who may be under stress and/or have challenging communication and / or swallowing difficulties.
Working Conditions- To deal appropriately with unpleasant conditions related to client contact as they arise: for example, exposure to body fluids, infectious conditions, head lice encountered on a regular basis.
- Frequent requirement to drive between location
- Occasional lone working.
Culture & BenefitsWe offer a supportive and collaborative work environment to those wishing to dedicate their time and energy to making a difference to the lives of people with speech, language and communication difficulties and differences. Our valued team members are able to achieve significant professional advancement along with the fulfilment of helping individuals unlock their full potential through truly transformative Speech and Language Therapy.
For more details, see our Culture & Benefits page on our website.Safer RecruitmentAt Magic Words Therapy, we are committed to safer recruitment. This means that all successful applicants must undergo Enhanced with Barred List DBS checks (for both SaLTs and SaLTAPs) or standard DBS checks (for non-clinical staff with client contact) as well as checks on qualifications, references and proof of identity.
How to ApplyGot questions? Let's talk first! Book an informal chat before you apply. To apply for this position please complete the Application Form using the button on our website. We endeavour to notify all applicants of the outcome of their application within 10 days. Please note that our team are on leave or work minimal hours during the school holidays meaning that applications made during these times may wait longer for a response.
Equal Opportunities: Magic Words is an equal opportunities employer. 
