Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

The closing date is 22 March 2026

Please note: at this stage, the role is open only to colleagues currently employed within Kent and Medway NHS Trusts and the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB). Nursing vacancies are also open to Student Nurses and Newly Qualified Nurses.

We are seeking dynamic and enthusiastic paediatric Speech and Language Therapists to join our friendly team in North West Kent. The Children's Therapies service provides Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and CareCo-ordination services to Children and Young People aged 0-19. We have 1 Band 6 Specialist Speech and Language Therapist available on a permanent basis to work across client groups across early years and schools with the focus being currently in early years. The posts are suitable for a current Band 6 looking for a new opportunity or for Band 5 post preceptor staff wishing to progress in their career. We currently offer a hybrid work pattern for staff with a combination of face to face and virtual working.

We pride ourselves on the support and induction offered to new staff including: regular meetings with a line manager; access to clinical supervision; in house and external training. We offer regular clinical governance days where the whole team comes together to share knowledge, skills and CPD experiences.

• Help us deliver 'The Balanced System', working with family hubs to provide easy access to early years children through drop ins or in schools and settings to provide Specialist, Targeted and Universal support for SLCN.
• Provide assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of holistic care linked to packages of prescribed care or identified projects.
• Support in the supervision and development of staff.
• Actively work as a member of the Children's Therapies team to provide high quality care to service users.
• Undertake a range of competent clinical and non clinical interventions to support the outcomes of the service.
• Act as lead and senior practitioner to support junior staff carry out assessment/reassessments of service users and/or pathways with complex needs across the relevant field.

The successful applicants will join our large Children's Therapies team. As a Band 6 you will be supported by Band 7 Clinical Leads from both within locality and across Kent. Candidates will need to be able to drive as we deliver our services in clinics, schools and settings across our locality.

Please note, this vacancy does not meet the criteria for skilled worker sponsorship and therefore, we are unable to accept applications from candidates that cannot provide documentary evidence of right to work in the United Kingdom.

Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we've got a passion for delivering high standards of patient care and excellent services to improve the health of our communities. To do this we need outstanding people who share our values compassionate Aspirational Responsive Excellent.

We know a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion leads to better patient care and a happier workforce. We pride ourselves in being diverse and welcome applications from people with varied backgrounds, perspectives and experiences.

We ask for information about your protected characteristics on our application forms. This isn't visible to anyone involved with shortlisting or interviewing you, except when you choose to be considered under the guaranteed interview scheme due to disability. Short listers will see two ticks alongside your application to ensure they apply the principles of the scheme to your submission.

The data we collect helps us to ensure we are attracting diversity in our applicants, that all our colleagues have equitable access to career opportunities and supports us on our journey to being a Great Place to Work.

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want you to be able to work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you. Talk to us about a flexible working arrangement that won't involve sacrificing time for personal interests or family commitments. We'll support you to work flexibly in a way that will suit us both.

See where you can go with KCHFT career pathways.

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 , 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 can't wait to meet you and welcome you to , .

• Health related degree and evidence of relevant post graduate development at Level 6
• Registered health care professional (HCPC registration)
• Masters level study or working towards
• Management or supervisory qualification or experience of study

• Demonstrable experience in an area of practice
• Practical experience in managing complex caseloads
• Evidence of being a mentor, supervisor or educator

• Understanding of National Service Frameworks and NICE guidance relevant to care setting and its application across health care services
• Evidence of continued relevant professional development and implementation in practice

• Ability to manage time effectively, priorities and work under pressure to meet deadlines
• Ability to work effectively with a variety of people at all organisational levels across different sectors including areas of social deprivation
• Ability to communicate complex, sensitive information to individuals and groups

• Ability to motivate and organise others to ensure best practice.
• Ability to manage and lead change

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.

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum pro rata