Advanced Specialist SALT Autism Spectrum Disorder
The closing date is 11 December 2025
Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for a Band 7 Therapist within our Children's Speech and Language Therapy Autism Team in Warwickshire.
We are a small, friendly team, so there is someone on hand to discuss clinical queries and to support staff development. We actively encourage development of specialist skills, enabling therapists to progress in their career. Staff are supported through regular team meetings, MDTs, clinical supervision and on-going CPD opportunities.
We work alongside Multi-Disciplinary teams, liaising with our colleagues in CWPT. We work across a range of settings, including Nurseries, home visits, clinics and Primary Schools. You would be based in the South locality base with a team of therapists and admin support.
Main duties of the job
Provision of high-quality Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) service for children with ASD in a designated part of Warwickshire.
Providing second opinions and specialist advice/support to Paediatric Speech and Language Therapists and othercolleagues within the multi-agency team(e.g clinical psychologists) to assist in differential diagnosis and planning management of clients' needs
Independently manages a caseload of highly complex children with ASD, both preschool and school age
Train parents, carers and professionals in communication needs related to ASD
About us
Come and join a Trust rated Outstanding by the CQC. South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust have been rated as outstanding following our latest inspection by the CQC and we are recruiting new staff to come and help us improve even further. In addition our staff survey results have placed us 4th in the country for recommended place to work.
We provide services across Warwickshire and beyond ranging from Hospitals in Warwick, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Royal Leamington Spa and Shipston-on Stour to Community Services across the county. We are a progressive, expanding organisation with great ambition around improving quality, integrating pathways and delivering high levels of productivity.Our values can be summed up in one sentence. We are 'Trusted to provide safe, inclusive, effective and compassionate care'. Throughout the recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you demonstrate these values and how they impact on your work. It doesn't matter what role you do, whether it is patient facing or not, we are all working in the same way with our values at the core.
Details
Date posted
27 November 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 7
Salary
£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
12 months
Working pattern
Part-time
Reference number
203-FH1114
Job locations
Riversley Park Speech and Language Centre
Fusilier Louis Carter Drive
Nuneaton
CV11 5TT
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Result Areas:
SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES
The post holder ensures the provision of high quality SLT service for children with ASD in the North Warwickshire area.
The post holder provides second opinions and specialist advice/support to Paediatric Speech and Language Therapists and other professionals in North Warwickshire in the field of ASD
The post holder independently manages a caseload of highly complex children with ASD, both preschool and school age
The post holder acts as a highly specialised adviser, providing clinical advice and support for therapists developing skills in this area and providing second opinions to SLTs and othercolleagues within the multi-agency team(e.g clinical psychologists) to assist in differential diagnosis and planning management of clients needs
The post holder provides specialist ASD training packages to parents, carers and professional colleagues to extend others skills and knowledge in the field.
As part of the countywide specialist ASD team, the post holder contributes to the development, audit and delivery of care pathway for ASD children.
CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES
To exercise full responsibility and autonomy for a specialist and highly complex caseload of children on the Autism Spectrum in a designated area of Warwickshire
To work effectively as a member of a Multi-agency Team to combine Specialist SLT assessment and advice regarding the social communication needs of children with highly complex developmental presentation, as part of a differential diagnosis.
To make differential diagnosis based on a wide range of highly specialist assessment techniques and taking into account research evidence and best practice.
To formulate detailed individual management plans based upon relevant research and best practice.
To assist parents / carers to understand and accept the long-term impact and implications of a diagnosis of Autism.
To use Specialist knowledge and training to manage children with autism, including those with additional complex needs e.g. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
To provide expert advice and assessment of children with autism in Preschool/school setting and homes.
To work closely with children who exhibit challenging behaviour and understand how to reduce risks and manage them physically within the environment.
To contribute to the evaluation, development and implementation of Highly Specialist SLT intervention programmes, e.g. PECS, TEACCH
To provide advice, second opinions or joint management for colleagues in the department in relation to the specialist areas of children with:
Autism Spectrum Disorders
To use highly developed interpersonal skills to:
facilitate communication so that the needs of the child and family are central to the clinical process
play a pivotal role in ensuring effective joint working for children with communication difficulties and their families
To independently prioritise own highly specialist caseload and manage own workload effectively and efficiently.
To assess and analyse childrens speech, language and communication using highly specialist knowledge to select appropriate formal and informal assessments including standardised psychometric tests. This requires a high level of concentration and analytical skills.
To evaluate and make decisions about therapy options taking into account the childs educational attainments, learning style and curriculum requirements.
To negotiate with parents / carers, Teaching staff and other professionals to agree options in collaboration with all those involved in order to implement the individual management plan, which may include any combination of the following:
therapeutic intervention with children individually or in groups (in school or clinic)
programmes jointly planned and implemented with teaching staff
Supporting others to implement programmes according to individual needs
Providing advice on curriculum differentiation through Individual Education Plans (IEPs)
Providing advice on specific strategies to employ in the classroom and / or at home.
Advising referral to other professionals where indicated
To provide demonstration / training on how to maximise communication opportunities for the individual.
To provide expertise and advice to enable others to facilitate the effective and appropriate provision of care for individual children.
To manage the behaviour of children with ASD and motivate them to achieve positive therapy outcomes.
To recognise potential conflict or breakdown in the above process and use negotiation and problem-solving skills to reach agreement.
To communicate complex and specialist information to others by way of written reports and face to face discussions, adapting own communication style and content to the needs of the situation.
To form productive relationships with families, recognising the need for and ensuring sensitivity and care where:
There may be emotional stress
Difficult or potentially distressing news to be given
There are potential barriers to communication
To communicate, in a highly skilled and sensitive manner, information concerning assessment findings and provision of care for children.
To provide expert advice in highly complex cases to a variety of agencies in Warwickshire.
To work closely with clients, carers and families agreeing decision making relevant to the patient / client management.
To employ excellent communication and negotiation skills for all aspects of clinical work.
To utilise highly developed counselling skills in facilitating clients and carers to engage in the therapeutic process.
To recognise and manage the emotional needs of carers and clients when imparting potentially distressing information.
To demonstrate a high level of clinical effectiveness by use of evidence based practice and evaluation of outcomes.
To assist other SLTs in carrying out case management in a variety of settings, in a consultative capacity.
To contribute Assessment advice for and reviews of a childs Education, Health & Care Plan as required by the Children & Families Act (2014) and SEND Code of Practice (2014).
To attend Annual Reviews and termly Individual Education Plan reviews as required.
To liaise with other professionals and teams in a consultative capacity in relation to management of individual children and attend and contribute to meetings involving parents and other professionals (e.g. case conferences, Annual Review of EHCP, etc.
To attend or otherwise contribute to meetings involving families and other professionals, e.g. case conferences.
To undertake workshop sessions for parents (including evening sessions) as required.
SPECIALIST/SPECIFIC CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES
To stay abreast of research, developments and government policy relevant to Autism Spectrum, and to pass on relevant information to the Clinical Lead for Autism..
To contribute, along with other members of the countywide specialist ASD team, to the formulation, implementation and monitoring of departmental policies and procedures for the ASD client group.
To act as a resource to other Speech and Language Therapists with regard to pre-school and school age children with ASD.
To negotiate with parents / carers, education staff and other professionals to agree additional appropriate specialist management for the individual which may include:
Advising on Total Communication strategies to support a Total Communication Environment.
Advising on and implementing the use of appropriate approaches including:
Makaton signing and symbol use
PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System)
Intensive Interaction
TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autism and related Communication Handicapped Children)
VOCAs (Voice Output Communication Aids)
Symbol software
Objects of Reference and sensory cues
Compilation of communication passports
Parent Child Interaction Therapy
Specific Responsibilities relating to pre-school children undergoing Multi-disciplinary Assessments
To be a core member of the multidisciplinary team, attending case discussions, and contributing SLT findings and recommendations to the differential diagnosis of children referred to the Child Development Service (CDS).
To support the pre-school team leader in liaison between the CDS and other SLTs working with preschool children.
To maintain a high level of skills and provide advice, second opinions and joint management with colleagues in the area of children with suspected ASD referred to the CDS.
To offer second opinions and advise other Speech and Language Therapists about children with ASD.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Result Areas:
SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES
The post holder ensures the provision of high quality SLT service for children with ASD in the North Warwickshire area.
The post holder provides second opinions and specialist advice/support to Paediatric Speech and Language Therapists and other professionals in North Warwickshire in the field of ASD
The post holder independently manages a caseload of highly complex children with ASD, both preschool and school age
The post holder acts as a highly specialised adviser, providing clinical advice and support for therapists developing skills in this area and providing second opinions to SLTs and othercolleagues within the multi-agency team(e.g clinical psychologists) to assist in differential diagnosis and planning management of clients needs
The post holder provides specialist ASD training packages to parents, carers and professional colleagues to extend others skills and knowledge in the field.
As part of the countywide specialist ASD team, the post holder contributes to the development, audit and delivery of care pathway for ASD children.
CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES
To exercise full responsibility and autonomy for a specialist and highly complex caseload of children on the Autism Spectrum in a designated area of Warwickshire
To work effectively as a member of a Multi-agency Team to combine Specialist SLT assessment and advice regarding the social communication needs of children with highly complex developmental presentation, as part of a differential diagnosis.
To make differential diagnosis based on a wide range of highly specialist assessment techniques and taking into account research evidence and best practice.
To formulate detailed individual management plans based upon relevant research and best practice.
To assist parents / carers to understand and accept the long-term impact and implications of a diagnosis of Autism.
To use Specialist knowledge and training to manage children with autism, including those with additional complex needs e.g. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
To provide expert advice and assessment of children with autism in Preschool/school setting and homes.
To work closely with children who exhibit challenging behaviour and understand how to reduce risks and manage them physically within the environment.
To contribute to the evaluation, development and implementation of Highly Specialist SLT intervention programmes, e.g. PECS, TEACCH
To provide advice, second opinions or joint management for colleagues in the department in relation to the specialist areas of children with:
Autism Spectrum Disorders
To use highly developed interpersonal skills to:
facilitate communication so that the needs of the child and family are central to the clinical process
play a pivotal role in ensuring effective joint working for children with communication difficulties and their families
To independently prioritise own highly specialist caseload and manage own workload effectively and efficiently.
To assess and analyse childrens speech, language and communication using highly specialist knowledge to select appropriate formal and informal assessments including standardised psychometric tests. This requires a high level of concentration and analytical skills.
To evaluate and make decisions about therapy options taking into account the childs educational attainments, learning style and curriculum requirements.
To negotiate with parents / carers, Teaching staff and other professionals to agree options in collaboration with all those involved in order to implement the individual management plan, which may include any combination of the following:
therapeutic intervention with children individually or in groups (in school or clinic)
programmes jointly planned and implemented with teaching staff
Supporting others to implement programmes according to individual needs
Providing advice on curriculum differentiation through Individual Education Plans (IEPs)
Providing advice on specific strategies to employ in the classroom and / or at home.
Advising referral to other professionals where indicated
To provide demonstration / training on how to maximise communication opportunities for the individual.
To provide expertise and advice to enable others to facilitate the effective and appropriate provision of care for individual children.
To manage the behaviour of children with ASD and motivate them to achieve positive therapy outcomes.
To recognise potential conflict or breakdown in the above process and use negotiation and problem-solving skills to reach agreement.
To communicate complex and specialist information to others by way of written reports and face to face discussions, adapting own communication style and content to the needs of the situation.
To form productive relationships with families, recognising the need for and ensuring sensitivity and care where:
There may be emotional stress
Difficult or potentially distressing news to be given
There are potential barriers to communication
To communicate, in a highly skilled and sensitive manner, information concerning assessment findings and provision of care for children.
To provide expert advice in highly complex cases to a variety of agencies in Warwickshire.
To work closely with clients, carers and families agreeing decision making relevant to the patient / client management.
To employ excellent communication and negotiation skills for all aspects of clinical work.
To utilise highly developed counselling skills in facilitating clients and carers to engage in the therapeutic process.
To recognise and manage the emotional needs of carers and clients when imparting potentially distressing information.
To demonstrate a high level of clinical effectiveness by use of evidence based practice and evaluation of outcomes.
To assist other SLTs in carrying out case management in a variety of settings, in a consultative capacity.
To contribute Assessment advice for and reviews of a childs Education, Health & Care Plan as required by the Children & Families Act (2014) and SEND Code of Practice (2014).
To attend Annual Reviews and termly Individual Education Plan reviews as required.
To liaise with other professionals and teams in a consultative capacity in relation to management of individual children and attend and contribute to meetings involving parents and other professionals (e.g. case conferences, Annual Review of EHCP, etc.
To attend or otherwise contribute to meetings involving families and other professionals, e.g. case conferences.
To undertake workshop sessions for parents (including evening sessions) as required.
SPECIALIST/SPECIFIC CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES
To stay abreast of research, developments and government policy relevant to Autism Spectrum, and to pass on relevant information to the Clinical Lead for Autism..
To contribute, along with other members of the countywide specialist ASD team, to the formulation, implementation and monitoring of departmental policies and procedures for the ASD client group.
To act as a resource to other Speech and Language Therapists with regard to pre-school and school age children with ASD.
To negotiate with parents / carers, education staff and other professionals to agree additional appropriate specialist management for the individual which may include:
Advising on Total Communication strategies to support a Total Communication Environment.
Advising on and implementing the use of appropriate approaches including:
Makaton signing and symbol use
PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System)
Intensive Interaction
TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autism and related Communication Handicapped Children)
VOCAs (Voice Output Communication Aids)
Symbol software
Objects of Reference and sensory cues
Compilation of communication passports
Parent Child Interaction Therapy
Specific Responsibilities relating to pre-school children undergoing Multi-disciplinary Assessments
To be a core member of the multidisciplinary team, attending case discussions, and contributing SLT findings and recommendations to the differential diagnosis of children referred to the Child Development Service (CDS).
To support the pre-school team leader in liaison between the CDS and other SLTs working with preschool children.
To maintain a high level of skills and provide advice, second opinions and joint management with colleagues in the area of children with suspected ASD referred to the CDS.
To offer second opinions and advise other Speech and Language Therapists about children with ASD.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree or equivalent.
- Registered member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
- Health Professionals Council Registration
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development since qualification including successful completion of Specialist short courses related to the assessment, treatment and management of children on the Autistic Spectrum to master's level equivalent including: ? SCERTS ? ADOS ? TEACCH ? PECS
- Member of Special Interest Group/Clinical Excellence Network
Experience
Essential
- Significant, relevant paediatric experience post registration
- Significant experience at a post graduate level of Paediatric Autism Management
- Experience of supervising less experienced SLT colleagues
- Experience of supervising SLTAs and teaching assistants.
- Experience of working in Multidisciplinary Teams
- Experience of delivering training packages
- Experience of giving second opinions.
Skills
Essential
- Demonstrate well established knowledge of assessment tools relevant to the client group including: ?Non verbal communication ?Conversational analysis ?Linguistic transcription and analysis ?Phonemic transcription and analysis ?Pragmatic assessment and analysis ?Language processing and verbal reasoning ?Social Communication skills ?Functional communication skills ?Language processing and verbal reasoning
- Demonstrate well established knowledge of assessment tools relevant to the client group including: ?Non verbal communication ?Conversational analysis ?Linguistic transcription and analysis ?Phonemic transcription and analysis ?Pragmatic assessment and analysis ?Language processing and verbal reasoning ?Social Communication skills ?Functional communication skills ?Language processing and verbal reasoning
- Demonstrate good presentation skills, verbal and written, including computer generated materials e.g. Power Point.
- Demonstrate well-developed communication skills and an ability to match communication styles and content to the needs of the situation.
- Demonstrate an awareness of the attributes needed for team and collaborative working.
- Demonstrate assertiveness skills.
- Demonstrate well established knowledge of current evidence-based practice within Autism management relevant to children and families.
- Demonstrate an ability to draw on psychological knowledge to develop a holistic review of the child and assess psychological impact on child / family.
- Demonstrate an ability to work effectively and collaboratively within complex Multi-Agency and Multi-Disciplinary Teams.
- Demonstrate highly developed negotiation and problem-solving skills.
Desirable
- Demonstrate knowledge of national policies, procedures, legislation and framework relevant to client groups e.g. National Autism Plan for Children, NICE guidelines
- Demonstrate a knowledge of developmental and medical conditions, which may occur in the client group and the effect on communication e.g. epilepsy, ADHD, dyspraxia, elective mutism.
- Demonstrate ability to manage conflict / dissipate anger.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Demonstrate excellent interpersonal abilities - observation, listening, diplomacy, sensitivity.
- Demonstrate an ability to motivate children and make therapy a positive experience.
- Demonstrate an ability to remain constructive and objective in the face of unrealistic expectations.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree or equivalent.
- Registered member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
- Health Professionals Council Registration
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development since qualification including successful completion of Specialist short courses related to the assessment, treatment and management of children on the Autistic Spectrum to master's level equivalent including: ? SCERTS ? ADOS ? TEACCH ? PECS
- Member of Special Interest Group/Clinical Excellence Network
Experience
Essential
- Significant, relevant paediatric experience post registration
- Significant experience at a post graduate level of Paediatric Autism Management
- Experience of supervising less experienced SLT colleagues
- Experience of supervising SLTAs and teaching assistants.
- Experience of working in Multidisciplinary Teams
- Experience of delivering training packages
- Experience of giving second opinions.
Skills
Essential
- Demonstrate well established knowledge of assessment tools relevant to the client group including: ?Non verbal communication ?Conversational analysis ?Linguistic transcription and analysis ?Phonemic transcription and analysis ?Pragmatic assessment and analysis ?Language processing and verbal reasoning ?Social Communication skills ?Functional communication skills ?Language processing and verbal reasoning
- Demonstrate well established knowledge of assessment tools relevant to the client group including: ?Non verbal communication ?Conversational analysis ?Linguistic transcription and analysis ?Phonemic transcription and analysis ?Pragmatic assessment and analysis ?Language processing and verbal reasoning ?Social Communication skills ?Functional communication skills ?Language processing and verbal reasoning
- Demonstrate good presentation skills, verbal and written, including computer generated materials e.g. Power Point.
- Demonstrate well-developed communication skills and an ability to match communication styles and content to the needs of the situation.
- Demonstrate an awareness of the attributes needed for team and collaborative working.
- Demonstrate assertiveness skills.
- Demonstrate well established knowledge of current evidence-based practice within Autism management relevant to children and families.
- Demonstrate an ability to draw on psychological knowledge to develop a holistic review of the child and assess psychological impact on child / family.
- Demonstrate an ability to work effectively and collaboratively within complex Multi-Agency and Multi-Disciplinary Teams.
- Demonstrate highly developed negotiation and problem-solving skills.
Desirable
- Demonstrate knowledge of national policies, procedures, legislation and framework relevant to client groups e.g. National Autism Plan for Children, NICE guidelines
- Demonstrate a knowledge of developmental and medical conditions, which may occur in the client group and the effect on communication e.g. epilepsy, ADHD, dyspraxia, elective mutism.
- Demonstrate ability to manage conflict / dissipate anger.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Demonstrate excellent interpersonal abilities - observation, listening, diplomacy, sensitivity.
- Demonstrate an ability to motivate children and make therapy a positive experience.
- Demonstrate an ability to remain constructive and objective in the face of unrealistic expectations.
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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
South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Riversley Park Speech and Language Centre
Fusilier Louis Carter Drive
Nuneaton
CV11 5TT
Employer's website
https://www.swft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Riversley Park Speech and Language Centre
Fusilier Louis Carter Drive
Nuneaton
CV11 5TT
Employer's website
https://www.swft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Details
Date posted
27 November 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 7
Salary
£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
12 months
Working pattern
Part-time
Reference number
203-FH1114
Job locations
Riversley Park Speech and Language Centre
Fusilier Louis Carter Drive
Nuneaton
CV11 5TT
Supporting documents
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