Band 6 Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

We are currently expanding the size of our therapies team by recruiting speech and language therapists to support the rise of statutory speech and language therapy provision and SEND Support services across the London Borough of Sutton. As part of the Government's SEND reform we are developing a new and exciting Experts At Hand service launching in September 2026.

You will be employed by Cognus Therapies team. We are a thriving multidisciplinary team of speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, practitioners and therapy assistants who support children and young people aged 4 25 years in mainstream schools, colleges, and specialist settings within the London Borough of Sutton and surrounding boroughs. Cognus Therapies is owned by the London Borough of Sutton and forms part of Cognus Limited who are the providers for special educational needs services within the borough, and we share an office with Education Psychologist colleagues, EHCP coordinators, Behaviour Specialists, the Autism Service and more.

Working within a multidisciplinary team of speech therapists and occupational therapists, the post holder will have the opportunity to work in local schools and colleges across the 4 years to 25 years age range or with a smaller age range within this.

Deliver specialist paediatric speech and language therapy within mainstream schools using the Experts at Hand model, focusing on early intervention, inclusion, and embedding practical strategies into everyday teaching and learning.

Provide on demand consultation, advice, and training to education staff supporting children and young people based on functional need - without requiring diagnosis or EHCP and working collaboratively with families and multi agency partners.

Build capacity and confidence within education settings through time limited, needs led support, combining clinical practice, coaching, and system level input to improve outcomes and demonstrate impact aligned with local SEND priorities.

Advising and supporting local schools / settings with children and young people with Speech, Language & Communication Needs (SLCN) including a possible cohort with ASD or PMLD and SLCN; to manage their caseload to ensure that intended outcomes are delivered within agreed service standard.

Raising awareness of the needs of and strategies available for children and young people with SLCN.

Cognus Limited is a Local Authority Traded Company, which is commissioned by the London Borough of Sutton to provide education services to early years providers, mainstream schools and specialist education settings in Sutton. Wholly owned by the local authority, we deliver a wide range of high quality services to deliver excellent practice that improve the lives of children, young people, and families in Sutton and beyond.

POSITIONBand 6 Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

DIVISIONCognus Therapies

BUSINESS UNITSpeech and Language Therapy

REPORTS TOHighly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist and Therapy Lead

RESPONSIBLE FORWorking within a multidisciplinary team of SALTs and OTs, working with children and young people aged 4 to 25. Delivering specialist therapy, advice and training within mainstream schools under the Experts at Hand SEND Reform model.

GRADE / PAYBand 6 Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist: £44,660.21 to £53,046.29

FTEper annum inclusive of HCAS (FTE).

LOCATIONSLondon Borough of Sutton and surrounding areas

JOB SUMMARY

Working within a multidisciplinary team of speech therapists and occupational therapists, the post holder will have the opportunity to work in local schools and colleges across the 4 years to 25 years age range or with a smaller age range within this.

Deliver specialist paediatric speech and language therapy, advice and training within mainstream schools using the Experts at Hand model, focusing on early intervention, inclusion, and embedding practical strategies into everyday teaching and learning.

Provide on demand consultation, advice, and training to education staff supporting children and young people based on functional need - without requiring diagnosis or EHCP and working collaboratively with families and multi agency partners.

Build capacity and confidence within education settings through time limited, needs led support, combining clinical practice, coaching, and system level input to improve outcomes and demonstrate impact aligned with local SEND priorities.

Advising and supporting local schools / settings with children and young people with Speech, Language & Communication Needs.

Raising awareness of the needs of and strategies available for children and young people with SLCN.

• Direct and indirect work with the child and/or young person
• Direct work with families, parents and carers
• Visiting and assessing children and young people with SLCN.
• To appropriately identify service provision inline with child and young person's needs at specialist, targeted or universal level of support.
• Delivery of specialist programmes on an individual and/or small group basis.
• Offering advice to parents and carers as well as teaching staff at a targeted or universal level.
• Maintaining children / young people's records to a high standard
• Completion of informal and formal assessments
• Maintaining case notes, reports and records to RCSLT standards

• To be aware of changing trends in evidence based practice
• Embedding legislative change and key developments relating to improved outcomes for children and young people with SEND and SLCN, e.g. SEND Reform
• Participate in audits, service development activities and research as required
• Participate in peer supervision activities
• Engage in CPD as identified through line management, clinical supervision and appraisals
• Comply with Cognus Limited mandatory training requirements
• Plan and provide trainings to stakeholders

• Health and safety
• Safeguarding and protection of children
• Equal opportunities and management of diversity
• Outstanding customer care

• Educated to degree level or equivalent
• Relevant qualifications including registration with HCPC

• Ability to prioritise and deliver results to high standards
• Excellent organisational skills
• Leads others by setting a positive example in line with company values and acts as a role model
• Experience as a paediatric speech and language therapist
• Adherence to RCSLT and HCPC policies and procedures
• Is decisive with problem solving skills
• Is committed to safeguarding and protection of children
• Honours and upholds the Company's Equal Opportunity Policy, Dignity at Work Policy, Safeguarding and Protection of Children, Health and Safety and Data Protection Policy at all times

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.

£44,660.21 to £53,046.29 a year Includes HCAS