Children and Young People's Speech and Language Therapist
The closing date is 10 February 2026
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 have transitioned 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
Provide speech and language therapy services to pre-school and school-age children with communication needs.
Assess, diagnose, and deliver therapy to individuals and groups.
Develop therapy programmes, contribute to IEPs, and support children in local schools
Offer advice and guidance to teachers in schools and preschool settings.
What We Offer
- Strong clinical and management support, including mentoring, peer supervision groups, and regular 1:1 sessions with your team lead.
- Access to clinical lead specialists for advice and guidance.
- Excellent opportunities for formal and informal training.
- Involvement in service development projects and bi-annual training days.
Applications Welcome From:
- Newly qualified nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and SLTs (comprehensive Preceptorship Programme provided).
- SLTs returning to practice (paid Return to Practice opportunities with progression to Band 5 upon meeting competencies).
Additional Information
- Employment requires an Enhanced DBS check (cost covered by the Trust). Applicants subscribed to the DBS update service may present a valid certificate instead.
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
13 January 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 5
Salary
£31,049 to £37,796 a year p.a., pro rata for part-time
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working, Compressed hours, Term time hours, Annualised hours
Reference number
152-M454.25
Job locations
Poole
Poole
Poole
BH1 4JQ
Employer details
Employer name
Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Poole
Poole
Poole
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:
Supporting documents
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