Job summary
A fantastic opportunity to be trained and to work on the Early Support for Every Child (ELSEC) project in Bradford, one of 9 pathfinder projects across the country. The programme is one of the reforms being tested in the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and Alternative Provision (SENDAP) Change Programme. The programme has been extended into 2026
The ELSEC project in Bradford is looking for creative and committed health or education workers, or people with an interest in beginning careers in either of these fields, to train as a Children's Speech and Language Therapy Assistants and join their team.
Approval for secondment to this role will be required from your current line manager or - fixed term contracts can be arranged to end of March 2026
Closing- 16th September 2025
Shortlisting- 17th September 2025
Interview- 24th & 25th September 2025
Main duties of the job
The postholder will work within the ELSEC Team delivering SALT screening and interventions to children in educational settings. You will also support the training of other staff in the use of the identified tools across the identified partner settings across Bradford.
The post holder will work across the city, supporting setting staff, parents and others in developing skills and confidence to support the speech, language and communication development of children and young people in Bradford.
About us
Everything we do is underpinned by our core values: -
We Care - We act with respect and empathy, and always value difference
We Listen - We understand people's views and respond to their individual needs
We Deliver - We develop and provide excellent services and support our partners
We will consider a variety of flexible working arrangements to enable staff to balance their work and home lives and support staff by offering a fantastic range of benefits including :
Increase mileage rates for > 3500
A wide range of health and wellbeing support packages
A range of internal and external development and learning opportunities
Plus many more.
We are also proud to pledge our support to the Armed Forces and hold a Bronze Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.
BDCFT is dedicated to environmental and social sustainability by delivering on the commitments within our Green Plan. All staff are actively encouraged and supported to participate in training and to identify and implement sustainable quality improvement across all service areas and activities.
The Trust reserves the right to close this position early if a significant number of applications are received.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please read the attached Job description and person specification for more details about this role.
Right to Work in the UK
Applicants should be aware that for any individual who requires a visa to work in the UK, the Trust provides sponsorship for registered healthcare practitioner roles only. This is an essential requirement of the role, and the Trust is unable to offer you a role if you are unable to meet Trust requirements for sponsorship and Home Office requirements for a visa.
Prior to your appointment you will be asked to provide confirmation of your right to work and reside in the UK. During your continued employment with the Trust, you have a personal responsibility to notify your manager as soon as possible should there be any changes to your right to work status.
Regrettably, if the role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Trusts eligibility criteria, the Trust are unable to extend your employment beyond the expiration of your current visa. The Trust is not responsible or liable for ensuring that your employment continues after this period.
As a condition of continuous employment, it essential you maintain the legal right to work in the United Kingdom throughout the duration of your employment with Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust (BDCFT). Any change in your right-to-work status, including but not limited to visa expiration, revocation, or denial of renewal, may impact your eligibility for employment with the Trust. It is your responsibility to promptly inform your Line Manager of any changes in your right-to-work status immediately and to provide necessary documentation for verification purposes. Failure to obtain or renew your visa in a timely manner is a breach of employment conditions and will result in termination of your employment. We appreciate your attention to this matter and your commitment to fulfilling this requirement promptly.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please read the attached Job description and person specification for more details about this role.
Right to Work in the UK
Applicants should be aware that for any individual who requires a visa to work in the UK, the Trust provides sponsorship for registered healthcare practitioner roles only. This is an essential requirement of the role, and the Trust is unable to offer you a role if you are unable to meet Trust requirements for sponsorship and Home Office requirements for a visa.
Prior to your appointment you will be asked to provide confirmation of your right to work and reside in the UK. During your continued employment with the Trust, you have a personal responsibility to notify your manager as soon as possible should there be any changes to your right to work status.
Regrettably, if the role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Trusts eligibility criteria, the Trust are unable to extend your employment beyond the expiration of your current visa. The Trust is not responsible or liable for ensuring that your employment continues after this period.
As a condition of continuous employment, it essential you maintain the legal right to work in the United Kingdom throughout the duration of your employment with Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust (BDCFT). Any change in your right-to-work status, including but not limited to visa expiration, revocation, or denial of renewal, may impact your eligibility for employment with the Trust. It is your responsibility to promptly inform your Line Manager of any changes in your right-to-work status immediately and to provide necessary documentation for verification purposes. Failure to obtain or renew your visa in a timely manner is a breach of employment conditions and will result in termination of your employment. We appreciate your attention to this matter and your commitment to fulfilling this requirement promptly.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE grade 4 or above pass in English and Maths
- NVQ level 3 childcare or suitable equivalent
- Diploma in Child Care and education (CACHE) or NNEB BTEC Diploma in early years or NVQ level 3 early years care and education (City and Guilds, EDEXCEL, OU)
Desirable
- IT qualification
- Training related to speech, language and communication, for example Elklan or Makaton
Training
Essential
- Willing & able to undertake all training related the role
- Evidence of recent ongoing training / professional development
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Experience working with children in early years or of primary school age in a healthcare or education setting.
- Experience working with families.
- language and communication needs, and / or with wider Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
- Experience of delivering interventions to children following the advice of another professional
- Experience of leading or assisting groups
Desirable
- Experience making and recording observations / submitting data
- Working in a community setting.
- Experience of working within a multiagency team
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of child development.
- Knowledge of safeguarding children.
- Knowledge of confidentiality and information governance
Desirable
- Knowledge of the EYFS and/or National Curriculum and Education system.
- Awareness of different digital platforms for speech, language and communication resources and how to signpost parents/schools to them
- Knowledge of ACES & the use of a trauma-based approach.
Skills
Essential
- Evidence of well developed written and verbal communication.
- Evidence of working both independently, and in teams.
- Evidence of having good organisation skills
- Ability to accurately obtain, record and collate data records for audit purposes
- Ability to adapt or make equipment and resources to fit the learning style of the children
- Good listening skills and clear speaking voice
Desirable
- Proficiency in the use of IT systems, e.g. MS office package / healthcare record systems.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE grade 4 or above pass in English and Maths
- NVQ level 3 childcare or suitable equivalent
- Diploma in Child Care and education (CACHE) or NNEB BTEC Diploma in early years or NVQ level 3 early years care and education (City and Guilds, EDEXCEL, OU)
Desirable
- IT qualification
- Training related to speech, language and communication, for example Elklan or Makaton
Training
Essential
- Willing & able to undertake all training related the role
- Evidence of recent ongoing training / professional development
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Experience working with children in early years or of primary school age in a healthcare or education setting.
- Experience working with families.
- language and communication needs, and / or with wider Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
- Experience of delivering interventions to children following the advice of another professional
- Experience of leading or assisting groups
Desirable
- Experience making and recording observations / submitting data
- Working in a community setting.
- Experience of working within a multiagency team
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of child development.
- Knowledge of safeguarding children.
- Knowledge of confidentiality and information governance
Desirable
- Knowledge of the EYFS and/or National Curriculum and Education system.
- Awareness of different digital platforms for speech, language and communication resources and how to signpost parents/schools to them
- Knowledge of ACES & the use of a trauma-based approach.
Skills
Essential
- Evidence of well developed written and verbal communication.
- Evidence of working both independently, and in teams.
- Evidence of having good organisation skills
- Ability to accurately obtain, record and collate data records for audit purposes
- Ability to adapt or make equipment and resources to fit the learning style of the children
- Good listening skills and clear speaking voice
Desirable
- Proficiency in the use of IT systems, e.g. MS office package / healthcare record systems.
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.
