Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

We have an exciting opportunity for a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join us and help develop the SLT service for deaf children with complex communication needs across West Surrey. This role covers maternity leave from September 2026 - July 2027.

In this role you will hold a caseload of deaf children within a Specialist Resource Base attached to a mainstream Primary School, a deafness centre within a special school, and deliver a service to preschool deaf and mainstream school children across West Surrey.

We have office bases in Woking and Guildford, and promote an agile working culture.

• A starting salary of £52,529 per annum (NHS Band 7 equivalent), pro rata to £56,698
• 42 week contract, working across term time and an additional, flexible 15 days for CPD, project work and supervision activities as well as 10 weeks holiday in non term time
• Paid RCSLT membership and HCPC fees
• Comprehensive clinical supervision programme including a buddy, 1:1 meetings with line manager, extensive in house training programme and formal external training opportunities, access to clinical effectiveness groups, case study groups and enhanced probation support, termly whole team study days, and encouragement to join and attend CEN's relating to practice
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Up to 5 days of carers leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependants leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• 2 paid volunteering days per year

• Ensuring the wider team is informed of current research and evidence base, and that clinical practice is of high quality
• Providing line management and clinical supervision to members of the West SLT team and SLT/A's specialising in deafness
• Supporting with second opinions, observation, training and shadowing opportunities for colleagues
• Working with management on the operational and strategic development of services to our schools across Surrey
• Providing advice at educational panels

The School Aged Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) Service is part of Surrey's offer to support the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities of children and young people within mainstream schools and specialist provision. The Service is part of the Early Intervention Prevention and Support Service in Surrey's Children, Families and Lifelong Learning directorate, working collaboratively with other teams such as Educational Psychology, Specialist Teachers, REMA and Behaviour Support.

Our aim is for children and young people with speech, language and communication needs to receive the right support at the right time. We do this through assessment and intervention, equipping families and professionals with the skills and resources to work together to help and support children with SLCN. We work with children and young people with EHCPs (Education, Health and Care Plan) and those at SEN (Special Education Needs) support. The team is also commissioned to support preschool deaf children who meet criteria.

The SLTs in Deafness work in close collaboration with Advisory Teachers of the Deaf and a team of peripatetic Specialist Teaching Assistants, a Deaf Instructor, an Educational Audiologist and BSL Interpreters. We have locally defined specialist competencies in relation to deafness with in house clinical supervision (now including SLT Assistants), team meetings and shadowing to share knowledge and expertise of working in this field.

• A BSc (Hons) degree or equivalent in Speech and Language Therapy
• Registered membership of the Health and Care Professions Council
• Registered membership of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• At least 5 years post graduate experience and advanced knowledge / skills of working with deaf young people including: Additional Postgraduate Training: CSD Working with Deaf People Part 1 and Part 2, British Sign Language Signature Exam Level 1 and 2 (or equivalent)
• Valid driving licence to drive in the UK, access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a wide geographical area.

• Significant post qualification experience of providing Speech and Language Therapy to deaf children and their families
• Understanding of the English education system including the National Curriculum and SEND code of practice
• Flexibility to adapt both clinical approach and communication style to ensure that assessment, reports, therapy inputs and outcomes are functional and client centred
• Experience of training and positively influencing practice in large staff teams, with experience of line managing and supporting others

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.

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidence you meet the minimum shortlisting criteria as displayed on the advert, we guarantee you an interview.

Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we are committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.