Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Oxford Health NHS Trust
Specialist Speech and Language Therapist - Experts at Hand
The closing date is 23 August 2026

Job summary
We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic Specialist Children's Speech and Language Therapist to join our Children's Integrated Therapies Service. This role combines specialist clinical practice with opportunities to lead service development, support colleagues and work collaboratively across health, education and care services to improve outcomes for children and young people aged 0-19 years.

The post holder will provide specialist assessment, intervention and advice for children and young people with speech, language and communication needs across a range of settings including schools, clinics, homes and community environments. Working as an autonomous practitioner, you will manage a complex caseload and adapt your approach to meet individual needs while delivering evidence-based, child-centred care.

The post holder will support delivery of the Experts at Hand programme. This will include working closely with schools and partner organisations to strengthen inclusive mainstream education, promote earlier identification and support for speech, language and communication needs, and improve participation and outcomes for children and young people.

Working with education settings, local authorities and wider SEND partners, you will contribute to the delivery of SEND reform, support workforce development initiatives and help embed evidence-based approaches that build the confidence and capability of those supporting children and young people within mainstream settings.

Main duties of the job
Provide specialist speech and language therapy assessment, diagnosis, intervention and advice for children and young people with a range of speech, language and communication needs. Manage a designated caseload and maintain professional accountability for clinical decision-making, prioritisation and service delivery.

Work collaboratively with children, families, schools, health professionals and partner agencies to develop and deliver effective intervention plans and achieve the best possible outcomes. Contribute to statutory SEND processes, including EHCP assessments, annual reviews and written reports where required.

Support delivery of the Experts at Hand programme by working with mainstream education settings and delivery partners to promote inclusive practice, strengthen early identification of speech, language and communication needs and improve educational participation.

Work alongside education colleagues, local authorities and SEND partners to support local SEND priorities and reforms, sharing specialist knowledge and contributing to workforce development through training, coaching and support.

Provide clinical supervision and support to junior staff, assistants and students. Participate in audit, service evaluation, quality improvement and evidence-based practice initiatives to support the ongoing development of high-quality children's speech and language therapy services.

About us
Applicants must have a full valid driving license and have access to a vehicle for work. Adjustments can be considered in line with the Equality Act 2010 where required.

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust provides physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset.

Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible

Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive:"Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"

Our values are:"Caring, safe and excellent"

At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:

• Excellent opportunities for career progression
• Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
• 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
• NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
• Competitive pension scheme
• Lease car scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Mental Health First Aiders
• Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists may apply)
• Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team

Details
Date posted: 31 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year
Per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working, Annualised hours
Reference number: 267-CH8181939
Job locations: TBC Various across Oxford Health sites, Oxford, OX4 3NH, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
We are recruiting as part of the new Experts at Hand programme and therefore will have a rolling recruitment offer over the next 3 years. If you are not successful this time, please do get in contact and we will be happy to discuss your application for future roles.

Oxfordshire Children's Integrated Thrapy Service is made up of Children's Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Speech and Language Therapists, profession specific Therapy Instructors, Integrated Therapy Assistant Practitioners and an Administrative Team.

We are jointly commissioned by the ICB and Oxfordshire County Council. The Service is led by Operational Managers and Professional Leads for each Therapy. Therapy teams have strong links with education colleagues, paediatricians, and AHPs across Oxford Health Trust.

We offer a comprehensive induction programme, ongoing supervision (both group and individual) and appraisal with development reviews from experienced specialist staff, regular in-house training as well as opportunities for involvement in Service Development.

The successful candidate will be expected to actively engage in the Trust's supervision and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme.

We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.

The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.

We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. We kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of their experience and must take care to ensure the use of AI tools does not generate an application that does not accurately reflect their knowledge, skills and values.

At Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust we want to employ people not just with experience, but with the aptitude and motivation to succeed and whose values resonate with our own.

Therefore, if you dont meet all the requirements of the role and are unsure about applying but are excited about the opportunity, please do get in touch. We will be happy to discuss the requirements in more detail ahead of making a written application.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Diploma / degree in Speech and Language Therapy HCPC registration (or pending) RCSLT registration (or pending)
• HCPC Registration
• Registered & practicing member of the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists (RCSLT)
• Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses

Desirable

• Experience at Band 6 level or equivalent
• Formal post graduate training in dysphagia
• Speciality specific post graduate courses

Other
Essential

• Applicants must have a full valid driving license and have access to a vehicle for work. Adjustments can be considered in line with the Equality Act 2010 where required.

Skills/Experience
Essential

• Experience of working with children and young people with speech and language / communication needs
• Up to date with evidence-based practice, national guidelines and new research
• Experience of Therapy Outcome Measures, TOMS and specific assessment tools for children.
• Experience of managing and prioritising a caseload.
• Understanding of the statutory / legal requirements for working within the specialty including a working knowledge of the SEND code of practice
• Experience of contributing to education of children, young people, families, colleagues in health and education settings
• Demonstrates well established knowledge of legislation, national policies and procedures relevant to the client group.
• Demonstrates excellent presentation skills to deliver reports verbal and written information including being an expert witness for SENIST appeals

Desirable

• Involvement in audit or research
• Experience in line management of staff

Knowledge
Essential

• Knowledge of inclusive education, SEND processes and speech, language and communication needs
• Knowledge of partnership working across education, health and care to support SEND reform and improve outcomes.

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: Oxford Health NHS Trust
Address: TBC Various across Oxford Health sites, Oxford, OX4 3NH, United Kingdom

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Professional & Operational Manager Children's SLT
Mary Denne
Mary.Denne@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk
07766541742