Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Children and Young People's Speech and Language Therapist

The closing date is 02 July 2025

Job summary

Are you newly qualified or an experienced Band 5 Speech and Language Therapist, or hoping to return to practice?

We are very excited to be recruiting Band 5 Speech and Language Therapists to join our dynamic and supportive Children and Young People's Speech and Language Therapy service on the beautiful South-West coast in Dorset.

This is an exciting time to join our service. We are transitioning to a new speech, language and communication pathway for Dorset based on the Balanced System Framework. Working collaboratively with our Education and Children's Centre Partners, aiming to give all children the right input at the right time.

As a Speech and Language Therapist you will work with a caseload of children and young people (0-19) with speech, language and communication needs including Developmental Language Disorder, Dysfluency, Selective Mutism, Developmental Verbal Dyspraxia, Autism Spectrum Condition, Complex Needs, Speech Disorder and Speech and Language delay. You will be involved with clinical care and decision-making including assessment, diagnosis, advice and therapy interventions and work in collaboration with children, their family and other professionals in a variety of settings including schools, pre-schools, clinics, children's centres and sometimes at home.

We can offer flexible working around core hours.

Applications from candidates that require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.

Main duties of the job

We offer:

A high level of clinical and management support including mentoring, peer supervision groups (with other Band 5 therapists and across bandings), regular 1:1 contact with your team lead as well as 1:1 clinical supervision.

Access to a range of clinical lead specialists for advice and guidance.

Excellent opportunities to access formal and informal training.

Opportunities to be involved in projects to enhance our service delivery offer.

Bi-annual whole service training/service development days.

Dorset Healthcare provide a very comprehensive and fully supported Preceptorship Programme for newly qualified healthcare professionals

We also welcome applications from SLTs wishing to return to practice, and for successful applicants we are able to offer paid Return to Practice opportunities with progression to a Band 5 role when meeting the required competencies.

Quote from a new member of the team:

"Working as a Band 5 SLT in Dorset gives great variety and opportunities to learn. I work in a supportive environment with great leaders which all adds up to a very rewarding career. Plus, living by the beach means I can go paddle boarding after work!"

About us

At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.

Details

Date posted

18 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£29,970 to £36,483 a year p.a., pro rata for part-time

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working, Compressed hours, Annualised hours

Reference number

152-M075.25

Job locations

Dorset East and Purbecks

Dorset East and Purbecks wide

Dorset East and Purbecks

BH1 4JQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare is working in partnership with The Princes Trust to support people getting into work, as part of this partnership, we are offering an employability service to support individuals between 16-30 years old with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

Job description

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare is working in partnership with The Princes Trust to support people getting into work, as part of this partnership, we are offering an employability service to support individuals between 16-30 years old with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

Person Specification

Knowledge, Skills and Training

Essential

  • Degree/diploma in Speech and Language Therapy
  • Member of HCPC
  • Member of RCSLT

Job Specific Experience

Essential

  • Student placement in a community clinic
  • Student experience of work within a mainstream school

Desirable

  • Previous experience as a qualified SLT working in an NHS setting
  • General experience of working with children in a paid or voluntary capacity
  • Some general administrative duties

Additional Requirements

Essential

  • Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English, adequate to enable the post holder to carry out the role effectively
  • Subject to the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act, able to travel using own vehicle on Trust business

Personal Quality

Essential

  • Ability to work as a team player
  • Good organisational and planning skills
Person Specification

Knowledge, Skills and Training

Essential

  • Degree/diploma in Speech and Language Therapy
  • Member of HCPC
  • Member of RCSLT

Job Specific Experience

Essential

  • Student placement in a community clinic
  • Student experience of work within a mainstream school

Desirable

  • Previous experience as a qualified SLT working in an NHS setting
  • General experience of working with children in a paid or voluntary capacity
  • Some general administrative duties

Additional Requirements

Essential

  • Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English, adequate to enable the post holder to carry out the role effectively
  • Subject to the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act, able to travel using own vehicle on Trust business

Personal Quality

Essential

  • Ability to work as a team player
  • Good organisational and planning skills

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Dorset East and Purbecks

Dorset East and Purbecks wide

Dorset East and Purbecks

BH1 4JQ


Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Dorset East and Purbecks

Dorset East and Purbecks wide

Dorset East and Purbecks

BH1 4JQ


Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Team Lead, Dorset East and Purbecks

Katie Butler-Reay

katie.butler-reay@nhs.net

07586492991

Details

Date posted

18 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£29,970 to £36,483 a year p.a., pro rata for part-time

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working, Compressed hours, Annualised hours

Reference number

152-M075.25

Job locations

Dorset East and Purbecks

Dorset East and Purbecks wide

Dorset East and Purbecks

BH1 4JQ


Supporting documents

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