Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Location: Meath School, Chertsey, Surrey

• Competitive salary: £38,048 to £41,896 per year – subject to annual pay review
• Generous annual leave: 10 weeks per year
• Professional development and training opportunities
• Permanent contract, 35 hours per week, term time (39 weeks) plus 3 additional weeks during school closure periods used flexibly across the year; we would consider part time
• Exciting benefits, including Perkbox membership, Tickets for Good, life assurance, a workplace pension, free flu jabs, mental health and wellbeing support and much more!
• Opportunity to work in a vibrant, multidisciplinary team where you’ll manage a diverse caseload and contribute to cutting-edge therapy practices.
• Start date: as soon as possible

About Us:
Meath, a Speech and Language UK School, is a day and residential non-maintained primary special school for up to 75 pupils aged 4 to 11 years, where Speech and/or Language Disorder and associated difficulties is the primary need. Our most recent Ofsted report (2023) is highly positive about the work of the school and the progress which our children make. ‘Pupils are happy and safe, and they enjoy being in school. They comment that ‘everyone can have friends here’.

What do our staff think? 2024 staff survey comments:

Meath School is a unique and amazing place to work, both led and populated by amazing, committed, talented, exceedingly highly skilled and innovative staff.

We are experienced and knowledgeable professionals, who strive to make a difference to children’s lives.

Everyone is listened to and treated with the same respect regardless of position.

A really positive place and is doing brilliant work for children.

Role Overview:
As a Speech and Language Therapist, you will manage a caseload of pupils with complex communication needs. You will work in a multidisciplinary team alongside Teachers, Learning Support Assistants, Speech and Language Therapists, Educational Psychologist and Occupational Therapists who all offer our pupils a fully integrated approach to our children’s education, communication skills and overall health and wellbeing.

We work closely with our residential team and Speech and Language UK’s onsite Assessment Centre.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the growth and development of our students, while advancing your own professional expertise.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage a specialist caseload of children with severe and complex speech, language, and communication needs within the school.
• Conduct detailed assessments, including differential diagnosis and implementing tailored therapy programs.
• Deliver innovative therapy, using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) methods
• Collaborate with teachers, therapists, and parents to develop and monitor Individual Education Plans and Annual Reviews.
• Participate in pre-admission assessments and help shape each pupil’s personalized development plan.
• Work autonomously, contributing to research and curriculum development to advance therapeutic practices.

What we are looking for:

• Registered with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and HCPC.
• A recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree.
• Minimum 2 years of experience working with a paediatric caseload, preferably in a school setting.
• Expertise in speech, language, and communication needs, with knowledge of autism spectrum disorders, AAC, and dysphagia.
• A creative, reflective practitioner who’s committed to professional development and enjoys working autonomously and collaboratively.

How to Apply:

If you are interested in the position please contact Jennifer Cook, Head of Therapy, to discuss the role further. You can contact Jennifer via email jennifer.cook@meathschool.org.ukor through the school office on 01932 872302.

To apply please send a completed application form to sbm@meathschool.org.uk Interviews will be held at Meath School.

Closing date: 9.00am, Monday 9th December 2024

Speech and Language UK is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We carry out appropriate vetting and verifications on all staff.

In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education the successful candidate’s employment is subject to an enhanced DBS and barred list check.

Please find details of our safeguarding policy

All shortlisted candidates will be subject to an online search covering content that is in the public domain.

Applications from candidates who require 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)”

Accessibility Support
We are committed to ensuring that our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. If you require any adjustments or need to apply in a different format, please contact our People Team at hr@speechandlanguage.org.uk and we will be happy to assist you.

We are a Disability Confident Committed employer. Find out what this means here

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and we carry out safer recruitment principles, as well as appropriate vetting and verifications on all school staff.

In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education the successful candidate’s employment is subject to an enhanced DBS and barred list check. All shortlisted candidates will be subject to an online search covering content that is in the public domain

Please find details of our safeguarding policy