Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust

Children's Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

The closing date is 12 April 2026

Job summary

Please note: at this stage, the role is open only to colleagues currently employed within Kent and Medway NHS Trusts, the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Medway Community Healthcare. Nursing vacancies are also open to Student Nurses and Newly Qualified Nurses.

We are seeking dynamic and enthusiastic paediatric Speech and Language Therapists to join our friendly team in North West Kent (Maidstone, Tonbridge and Malling, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks, Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley - High Cost Living Allowance will be considered as appropriate).The Children's Therapies service provides Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and CareCo-ordination services to Children and Young People aged 0-19.We have a number of Band 6 SLT sessions available on a permanent basis in a range of venues and across client groups,within our school years' team in mainstream schools, specialist provisions and clinics.The posts are suitable for a current Band 6 looking for a new opportunity, or for Band 5 post-preceptor staff wishing toprogress in their career and can be offered as a development post. If the post/s are offered as a development posts (fromBand 5 to 6), the post holder would remain on Band 5 salary for a specific time (usually 6-9 months) to meet Band 6objectives. We currently offer a hybrid work pattern for staff with a combination of face to face and virtual working.

Main duties of the job

As a B6 Speech and Language Therapist you will:o Help us deliver 'The Balanced System', working with schools and settings to provide Specialist, Targeted andUniversal support for SLCN.o Provide assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of holistic care linked to packages of prescribed care oridentified projects.o Support in the supervision and development of staff.o Actively work as a member of the Children's Therapies team to provide high quality care to service users.o Undertake a range of competent clinical and non-clinical interventions to support the outcomes of the service.o Act as lead and senior practitioner to support junior staff carry out assessment/reassessments of service users and/orpathways with complex needs across the relevant field.The successful applicants will join our large Children's Therapies team. We pride ourselves on the support and inductionoffered to new staff including: regular meetings with a line manager; access to supervision; in-house and externaltraining. We offer regular clinical governance days where all localities come together to share knowledge, skills and CPDexperiences. As a Band 6 you will be supported by Band 7 Clinical Leads from both within locality and across Kent.Candidates will need to be able to drive as we deliver our services in clinics, schools and settings across our locality.

About us

Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we've got a passion for delivering high standards of patient care and excellent services to improve the health of our communities. To do this we need outstanding people who share our values compassionate Aspirational Responsive Excellent

We know a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion leads to better patient care and a happier workforce. We pride ourselves in being diverse and welcome applications from people with varied backgrounds, perspectives and experiences

We ask for information about your protected characteristics on our application forms. This isn't visible to anyone involved with shortlisting or interviewing you, except when you choose to be considered under the guaranteed interview scheme due to disability. Short listers will see two ticks alongside your application to ensure they apply the principles of the scheme to your submission

The data we collect helps us to ensure we are attracting diversity in our applicants, that all our colleagues have equitable access to career opportunities and supports us on our journey to being a Great Place to Work

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want you to be able to work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you. Talk to us about a flexible working arrangement that won't involve sacrificing time for personal interests or family commitments. We'll support you to work flexibly in a way that will suits us both

See where you can go with KCHFTcareer pathways

Details

Date posted

27 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

846-7888966-UJ

Job locations

NorthWest Kent

NorthWest Kent

ME17 4AH


Job description

Job responsibilities

As a community Trust, many of our roles require individuals to be able to drive to perform their duties. Where driving is a requirement of the role, you will be asked to confirm that you hold a full UK driving licence or a full driving licence issued by an EU country (not exchanged from a non-EU country) to proceed with your application. We are committed to supporting candidates with disabilities into employment. If you are unable to drive due to a disability, please contact the Recruitment Team viakentchft.recruitment@nhs.net, quoting the vacancy reference number, so we can support you further.

The job description and person specification gives you all the information you need about this role. Please look carefully at the criteria in the person specification and tell us what you have done that shows you meet this in your application. If you need an application form in an alternative format please let our recruitment team know. All information you supply on your application should, to the best of your knowledge, be true and accurate.

Still have questions? The recruiting manager would love to hear from you, their contact details can be found in the job advert.

We can get a lot of applications for some roles so to be in with the best chance of being shortlisted please make sure you apply as soon as possible. A vacancy may close early if there is a lot of interest in the job.

At KCHFT we strongly encourage colleagues in clinical and non-clinical roles who have direct or social contact with patients to be fully vaccinated. In this way we will be doing all we can to ensure your safety and that of your colleagues and the patients we serve.

Find out more about the community differencehere.

Good luck! We cant wait to meet you and welcome you to #teamKCHFT, #cometocommunity.

Job description

Job responsibilities

As a community Trust, many of our roles require individuals to be able to drive to perform their duties. Where driving is a requirement of the role, you will be asked to confirm that you hold a full UK driving licence or a full driving licence issued by an EU country (not exchanged from a non-EU country) to proceed with your application. We are committed to supporting candidates with disabilities into employment. If you are unable to drive due to a disability, please contact the Recruitment Team viakentchft.recruitment@nhs.net, quoting the vacancy reference number, so we can support you further.

The job description and person specification gives you all the information you need about this role. Please look carefully at the criteria in the person specification and tell us what you have done that shows you meet this in your application. If you need an application form in an alternative format please let our recruitment team know. All information you supply on your application should, to the best of your knowledge, be true and accurate.

Still have questions? The recruiting manager would love to hear from you, their contact details can be found in the job advert.

We can get a lot of applications for some roles so to be in with the best chance of being shortlisted please make sure you apply as soon as possible. A vacancy may close early if there is a lot of interest in the job.

At KCHFT we strongly encourage colleagues in clinical and non-clinical roles who have direct or social contact with patients to be fully vaccinated. In this way we will be doing all we can to ensure your safety and that of your colleagues and the patients we serve.

Find out more about the community differencehere.

Good luck! We cant wait to meet you and welcome you to #teamKCHFT, #cometocommunity.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Health related degree and evidence of relevant post graduate development at Level 6 & HCPC Registered

Desirable

  • Masters level study or working towards; Management or supervisory qualification or experience of study

Experience

Essential

  • Demonstratable experience in area of practice ; practical experience in managing complex caseloads; evidence of being a mentor, supervisor or educator

Knowledge

Essential

  • Understanding of National Service Frameworks and NICE guidance to relevant to care setting and its application across health care services ; Ability to communicate complex, sensitive information to individuals and groups; Evidence of continued relevant professional development and implementation in practice

Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Ability to manage time effectively; Strong influencing and negotiating skills ; Ability to work effectively with a variety of people at all organisational levels across different sectors including areas of social deprivation

Personal Attributes & Ability to Manage

Essential

  • Ability to motivate and organise others to ensure best practice ; Ability to manage and lead change ; Evidence of implementing local or national agendas on health related issues
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Health related degree and evidence of relevant post graduate development at Level 6 & HCPC Registered

Desirable

  • Masters level study or working towards; Management or supervisory qualification or experience of study

Experience

Essential

  • Demonstratable experience in area of practice ; practical experience in managing complex caseloads; evidence of being a mentor, supervisor or educator

Knowledge

Essential

  • Understanding of National Service Frameworks and NICE guidance to relevant to care setting and its application across health care services ; Ability to communicate complex, sensitive information to individuals and groups; Evidence of continued relevant professional development and implementation in practice

Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Ability to manage time effectively; Strong influencing and negotiating skills ; Ability to work effectively with a variety of people at all organisational levels across different sectors including areas of social deprivation

Personal Attributes & Ability to Manage

Essential

  • Ability to motivate and organise others to ensure best practice ; Ability to manage and lead change ; Evidence of implementing local or national agendas on health related issues

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

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust

Address

NorthWest Kent

NorthWest Kent

ME17 4AH


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust

Address

NorthWest Kent

NorthWest Kent

ME17 4AH


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Locality Clinical Manager

MariaLoukia Bratsou

kentchft.ctnwkmanagement@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

27 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

846-7888966-UJ

Job locations

NorthWest Kent

NorthWest Kent

ME17 4AH


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)