Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Language Development Worker

The closing date is 05 January 2026

Job summary

Job Opportunity for

Language Development worker.

The Manchester Speech and Language Therapy Service is committed to providing a high-quality service to children and families across the city of Manchester.

We are looking for an experienced, flexible and enthusiastic Language development worker to join the established Communication and Language Early years team in Manchester.

The focus of the established team has been to embed a citywide, multi-agency communication and language pathway to provide early identification and support for children with moderate language difficulties. This has been developed as part of Manchester's drive to improve children's school readiness and life outcomes.

This role is an exciting new public health initiative to further develop and deliver both the current support offered to early years children who have language difficulties and also an additional support program for very young children displaying social communication difficulties. This additional support is part of Manchester's Family Hub trailblazers offer and forms an effectiveness research project working with The University of Manchester and MFT

Main duties of the job

You will be working as part of a supportive team of Speech and Language Therapists and Language Development Workers in a variety of locations including children's centers, family hubs, and children's home environment, to support early year's children and their families in developing early communication skills.Specialist training in supporting children with social communication difficulties will be provided.

About us

Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward-thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement.Whether you're beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working - empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.You'll be part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives.At MFT, you'll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions.Your journey at MFT is more than a job - it's an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We'll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.

Details

Date posted

11 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year Per annum (pro rata)

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

349-LCO-7622418*

Job locations

Woodville Children's Centre

Shirley Road

Manchester

M80NE


Job description

Job responsibilities

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading. So that youre even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, youll need to take time to read the Candidate Essentials Guide that sits with the Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how we care for you as you care for others. Most importantly, it also contains critical information youll need to be aware of before you submit an application form. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your applicationHere at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOUfor our patients, our communities, and each other.As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your applicationespecially personal statements and responses to role-specific questionsis written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application. Diversity MattersMFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading. So that youre even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, youll need to take time to read the Candidate Essentials Guide that sits with the Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how we care for you as you care for others. Most importantly, it also contains critical information youll need to be aware of before you submit an application form. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your applicationHere at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOUfor our patients, our communities, and each other.As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your applicationespecially personal statements and responses to role-specific questionsis written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application. Diversity MattersMFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Min NVQ L3 in childcare and education or equivalent relevant qualification
  • Full driving license

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working with children 0-5 in a variety of settings
  • Experience of working as an effective team member
  • Experience of working in partnership with parents and other agencies

Desirable

  • Experience of working with early years children with language delay.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Min NVQ L3 in childcare and education or equivalent relevant qualification
  • Full driving license

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working with children 0-5 in a variety of settings
  • Experience of working as an effective team member
  • Experience of working in partnership with parents and other agencies

Desirable

  • Experience of working with early years children with language delay.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Woodville Children's Centre

Shirley Road

Manchester

M80NE


Employer's website

https://mft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Woodville Children's Centre

Shirley Road

Manchester

M80NE


Employer's website

https://mft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist.

Julie Ashworth

julie.ashworth@mft.nhs.uk

07966626759

Details

Date posted

11 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year Per annum (pro rata)

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

349-LCO-7622418*

Job locations

Woodville Children's Centre

Shirley Road

Manchester

M80NE


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)