Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist- Special Schools

The closing date is 06 August 2025

Job summary

Would you like to progress your clinical skills and professional career in paediatrics? Are you looking for a role that offers flexible working to coincide with your home life and also pays HCAS?

We have an exciting opportunity for a new or experienced band 6 SaLT to join our amazing special school integrated therapy team on a 1 year, fixed term contact. As a Band 6 Children's SALT, you will be part of the Children and Young People's Integrated Therapy team under the direction of a Band 7 therapist. There will be dedicated time and opportunities to shadow therapists in various settings, attend training sessions and develop your knowledge and skills within the wider special schools and school age team.

As a Band 6 Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist within special schools, you will be responsible for the planning and management of your own complex caseload and service delivery using an impact-based model of clinical decision making. You also have the opportunity to actively contribute to service development and provide supervision and support to junior staff members if this is an area that interests you.

This role is based in Addington school (Wokingham) and may include some time in specialist resources. This role also includes running clinics for children without EHCPs in the school holidays. The positionis 3 days per week (22.5 hours). The role will involve travel to several sites but also leaves room for some home working.

Main duties of the job

  • Provide high quality assessment and interventions for children and young people with developmental / complex communication needs

  • Opportunity to work alongside, and learn from experienced therapists

  • Be involved in the implementation of training packages

  • Contribute to defined projects and service development initiatives

  • Maintain accurate and contemporaneous clinical records

About us

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:

  • Caring for and about you is our top priority
  • Committed to providing good quality, safe services
  • Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:

  • Flexible working options to support work-life balance
  • 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
  • Generous NHS pension scheme
  • Excellent learning and career development opportunities
  • 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
  • Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
  • Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
  • Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
  • Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
  • Free parking across Trust sites

Details

Date posted

23 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£40,617 to £48,778 a year per annum , pro rata ( Incl of HCAS)

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

1 years

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

371-CFS548

Job locations

CYPIT West Berkshire , Erlegh House

University of Reading , Earley Gate

Reading

RG6 6BZ


Job description

Job responsibilities

The must haves for this role:

  1. Qualified Speech and Language Therapist; registered with HCPC
  2. Experience (including placement experience) in working with children or adults with learning, developmental or neurological needs
  3. Ability and readiness to travel to multiple sites within Wokingham

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don't hesitate to call: Caroline Pethick on 07795617511 or email caroline.pethick@berkshire.nhs.uk who will be delighted to help.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Interview will be held on 19th Aug 2025

Job description

Job responsibilities

The must haves for this role:

  1. Qualified Speech and Language Therapist; registered with HCPC
  2. Experience (including placement experience) in working with children or adults with learning, developmental or neurological needs
  3. Ability and readiness to travel to multiple sites within Wokingham

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don't hesitate to call: Caroline Pethick on 07795617511 or email caroline.pethick@berkshire.nhs.uk who will be delighted to help.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Interview will be held on 19th Aug 2025

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications/Training

Essential

  • Diploma / Degree in Speech and Language Therapy
  • HCPC Registered

Desirable

  • Member of a clinical interest group

Continuous Professional Development

Essential

  • Masters degree in relevant area OR evidence of relevant experience within area of specialism, together with relevant short courses and/or post graduate training within a relevant field
  • Evidence of CPD maintained in a portfolio including attendance at recent relevant post graduate courses

Previous Experience

Essential

  • Evidence of experience in the field of specialism to a level of in depth knowledge and expertise
  • Comprehensive range of supervisory experience
  • Contribution to clinical education of less experienced staff, students or assistants
  • Work in special school and / or physical disability resource settings
  • Experience with AAC assessment / management

Desirable

  • Experience with dysphagia assessment / management

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • High level of clinical knowledge and skill appropriate area of specialism
  • Ability to pass on skills/knowledge to others within both formal and informal environments
  • Ability to provide leadership to other team members
  • Efficient, effective and diplomatic communication skills both written and verbal
  • Awareness of the commissioning and provider landscape within children's services
  • Basic computer literacy

Desirable

  • Effective people management skills

Additional Requirements

Essential

  • Car driver with ability to travel to multiple sites
Person Specification

Education/Qualifications/Training

Essential

  • Diploma / Degree in Speech and Language Therapy
  • HCPC Registered

Desirable

  • Member of a clinical interest group

Continuous Professional Development

Essential

  • Masters degree in relevant area OR evidence of relevant experience within area of specialism, together with relevant short courses and/or post graduate training within a relevant field
  • Evidence of CPD maintained in a portfolio including attendance at recent relevant post graduate courses

Previous Experience

Essential

  • Evidence of experience in the field of specialism to a level of in depth knowledge and expertise
  • Comprehensive range of supervisory experience
  • Contribution to clinical education of less experienced staff, students or assistants
  • Work in special school and / or physical disability resource settings
  • Experience with AAC assessment / management

Desirable

  • Experience with dysphagia assessment / management

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • High level of clinical knowledge and skill appropriate area of specialism
  • Ability to pass on skills/knowledge to others within both formal and informal environments
  • Ability to provide leadership to other team members
  • Efficient, effective and diplomatic communication skills both written and verbal
  • Awareness of the commissioning and provider landscape within children's services
  • Basic computer literacy

Desirable

  • Effective people management skills

Additional Requirements

Essential

  • Car driver with ability to travel to multiple sites

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

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

CYPIT West Berkshire , Erlegh House

University of Reading , Earley Gate

Reading

RG6 6BZ


Employer's website

https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

CYPIT West Berkshire , Erlegh House

University of Reading , Earley Gate

Reading

RG6 6BZ


Employer's website

https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

CYPIT School Age Service Lead

Caroline Pethick

caroline.pethick@berkshire.nhs.uk

07795617511

Details

Date posted

23 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£40,617 to £48,778 a year per annum , pro rata ( Incl of HCAS)

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

1 years

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

371-CFS548

Job locations

CYPIT West Berkshire , Erlegh House

University of Reading , Earley Gate

Reading

RG6 6BZ


Supporting documents

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