Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Job summary

We are seeking dynamic and enthusiastic paediatric Speech and Language Therapists to join our friendly team in NorthWest Kent.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 1 Band 6 Specialist Speech and Language Therapist available on a permanent basis to workacross client groups across early years and schools with the focus being currently in early years.The posts are suitable for a current Band 6 looking for a new opportunity or for Band 5 post-preceptor staff wishing to progress in their career. We currently offer a hybrid work pattern for staff with a combination of face to face and virtualworking.

We pride ourselves on the support and induction offered to new staff including: regular meetings with a line manager; access to clinical supervision; in house and external training. We offer regular clinical governance days where the wholeteam comes together to share knowledge, skills and CPD experiences.

Main duties of the job

• Help us deliver 'The Balanced System', working with family hubs to provide easy access to early years children through drop-ins or in schools and settings to provide Specialist, Targeted and Universal support for SLCN.
• Provide assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of holistic care linked to packages of prescribed care or identified projects.
• Support in the supervision and development of staff.
• Actively work as a member of the Children's Therapies team to provide high quality care to service users.
• Undertake a range of competent clinical and non-clinical interventions to support the outcomes of the service.
• Act as lead and senior practitioner to support junior staff carry out assessment/reassessments of service users and/or pathways with complex needs across the relevant field.

The successful applicants will join our large Children's Therapies team. 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.

Please note, this vacancy does not meet the criteria for skilled worker sponsorship and therefore, we are unable to accept applications from candidates that cannot provide documentary evidence of right to work in the United Kingdom.

About us

Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] has 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 [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] career pathways.

Details

Date posted: 05 May 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: Part-time

Reference number: 846-7986469-UJ

Job locations: Gravesham Community Hospital, Gravesend, DA11 0DG

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 via [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal], 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 [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] 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 difference here. Good luck! We can't wait to meet you and welcome you to #team[Employer hidden — sign up to reveal], #cometocommunity.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential:

• Health related degree and evidence of relevant post graduate development at Level 6
• Registered health care professional (HCPC registration)

Desirable:

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

Experience

Essential:

• Demonstrable experience in area of practice
• Practical experience in managing complex caseloads
• Evidence of being a mentor, supervisor or educator

Knowledge and Expertise

Essential:

• Understanding of National Service Frameworks and NICE guidance relevant to care setting and its application across health care services
• Evidence of continued relevant professional development and implementation in practice

Skills and Abilities

Essential:

• Ability to manage time effectively, prioritise and work under pressure to meet deadlines
• Ability to work effectively with a variety of people at all organisational levels across different sectors including areas of social deprivation
• Ability to communicate complex, sensitive information to individuals and groups

Personal Attributes

Essential:

• Ability to motivate and organise others to ensure best practice.
• Ability to manage and lead change

Employer details

Employer name: [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]

Address: Gravesham Community Hospital, Gravesend, DA11 0DG

Employer's website: https://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact: Locality Clinical Manager, MariaLoukia Bratsou, [contact hidden]