West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Specialist Speech & Language Therapist
The closing date is 30 November 2026
Job summary
Specialist Speech & Language Therapist: Paediatric Community.
We have 2 B6, part-time posts (3 days, 22.5hpw) available.

• Post 1: To co-lead the management of speech and language therapy into specialist support units in West Suffolk, to work in units attached to mainstream schools & settings inc. Reception/KS1/KS2. To co-lead supervision for other therapy staff working in units.
• Post 2: To deliver speech and language therapy into mainstream schools within the Forest Heath area (Brandon/Mildenhall/Newmarket and surrounding areas).

Due to the complex nature of the caseload these posts will include managing CYP with Education, Health and Care Plans & experience is required. Empowering therapy partners is key to our service and these roles include providing a training offer to parents/carers and education staff. Our team is strongly committed to deliver effective, evidence-based therapy, and we offer regular supervision, mentoring, CPD and training. The successful applicants will have good communication skills and a strong desire to work in partnership with colleagues in education, parents, and carers to achieve good outcomes. An ability to travel to different locations within the working week is essential. Please indicate on your application which post you are applying for.
Interview date 15th December 2026.
For any enquiries about these posts please contact Matt Tarr Pathway Lead for Mainstream Schools: 07939 803016 / email us @ childrensslt.icps@wsh.nhs.uk

Main duties of the job
The successful candidates will:

• Deliver speech and language therapy into mainstream schools/units in West Suffolk.
• Work with children and young people with a broad range of speech, language and communication needs.
• Deliver face-to-face sessions to individual and groups of children within educational settings.
• Provide assessment and plan/deliver therapy interventions for children.
• Design and support delivery of training packages to educational staff (both face to face and virtually)
• Work closely in partnership with families, educational staff and the wider professional team to support effective outcomes for children and young people.
• Take part in the Annual Review process by writing Annual Review reports and attending meetings where possible.
• Support junior therapists and assistants by offering supervisions and shadowing.
• Take responsibility for overseeing caseload management for B3/B4/B5 colleagues where required.
• Take an active role in supporting wider service development projects.

About us
#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community
We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.
The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.
Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.
We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.
With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.
We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.
Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?

Details
Date posted: 12 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: Depending on experience
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time, Flexible working
Reference number: 179-8375201-W
Job locations: Child Health Centre, Hospital Road, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3ND, United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities
For full details of the Job role and Person specification, please see attached Job description.
Please note: This vacancy may close earlier than the advertised closing date if a high volume of applications is received. Early application is therefore encouraged.

Person Specification
Education and qualifications
Essential

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree or equivalent
• Current Health and Care Professions Council registration
• Eligible for registered membership of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Evidence of relevant continuing professional development

Desirable

• Membership of a relevant Clinical Excellence Network
• Relevant postgraduate courses or training, for example Makaton, SCERTS, Nuffield, Intensive Interaction, Attention Autism, stammering, or eating and drinking
• Recent placement educator training

Experience and knowledge
Essential

• Paediatric speech and language therapy experience, with evidence of specialist-level practice
• Knowledge and experience of paediatric speech, language and communication assessment and intervention methods
• Understanding of the impact of speech, language and communication needs on children, young people and their families
• Knowledge of the National Curriculum and statutory assessment processes, including report writing for statutory assessments and annual reviews
• Experience of partnership working with families, education colleagues, health professionals and other agencies
• Knowledge of safeguarding children and young people
• Experience of using outcome measures and evaluating intervention
• Experience of training, supervising or supporting junior staff and students, including caseload management

Desirable

• Previous Band 6 experience or equivalent evidence of specialist practice
• Experience in community paediatric services and multidisciplinary teams
• Experience of supporting children and young people with complex presentations inc. use of AAC
• Experience developing or contributing to training and clinical education

Skills and abilities
Essential

• Clear and effective written, verbal and presentation skills
• Digital skills for clinical record-keeping, communication and service delivery
• Ability to organise, prioritise and manage a specialist caseload, including working effectively under pressure
• Effective supervision skills
• Strong analytical, reflective and problem-solving skills, with the ability to adapt practice
• Ability to maintain concentration during complex clinical work
• Understanding and application of relevant policies, including clinical governance, health and safety, equality and diversity

Desirable

• Experience of record keeping via SystmOne
• Triaging skills
• Leadership skills, including coaching, negotiation, change management and problem-solving

Personal qualities
Essential

• Child- and family-centred, holistic approach
• Flexible, approach to working hours and duties.
• Ability to respond to changing priorities
• Effective team member with strong interpersonal, observation, listening and empathy skills
• Able to manage challenging, distressing or emotionally demanding situations appropriately
• Able to travel across the Trust as required

Desirable

• Experience of managing challenging situations
• Experience of project work or leading a small team
• Commitment to learning and continuous improvement

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

Employer details
Employer name: West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Child Health Centre, Hospital Road, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3ND, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.wsh.nhs.uk

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Pathway Lead for Mainstream Schools, Matthew Tarr, childrensslt.icps@wsh.nhs.uk, 07939803016

Supporting documents
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