About this role
Job summary
Location: Southwark
Starting June 2026
This is an excellent opportunity for inexperienced band 6 to work in a dynamic and supportive environment. You will work across clinic and school settings with a structured mix of clients and support:
3 days per week working in complex needs school setting (7-19 years) school, as part of an established SLT team
2 days per week working in clinic and with community clients, including children in mainstream schools and homes.
Key Features Varied caseload
Be part of a collaborative SLT team
Structured supervision and support from experienced SLTs
Access to high-quality resources and team-wide CPD
Opportunity to make a tangible difference
12 weeks paid holiday*
Birthday Leave
Christmas and entire month of August off*
Termly CPD days plus training budget
*subject to contract
Main duties of the job Role & Responsibilities
As a Speech and Language Therapist, you will:
Assess, diagnose, and provide therapy for children and young people with a range of speech, language, and communication needs (SLCN).
This is an Autism and complex needs setting (MLD secondary).
Deliver therapy sessions on an individual and group basis, adapting interventions to suit the needs of students.
Work collaboratively with teachers, support staff, parents, and other professionals to support student progress.
Develop and implement communication strategies, including the use of AAC where appropriate.
Write reports and contribute to EHCP reviews.
Provide training and advice to school staff to help create a communication-friendly environment.
Be part of a speech and language therapy team and MDT.
What Were Looking For HCPC registered Speech and Language Therapist with a degree in Speech and Language Therapy.
Experience working in a special school setting or with children with complex communication needs.
Strong teamwork and communication skills to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
Knowledge and experience of AAC
Has a minimum of 2 years experience
Is passionate about working with children and young people in diverse educational and community settings
Brings energy, empathy, and curiosity to their work
About us Why Join Unlocking Language?
We are committed to excellence and empowerment, not only for the children and families we support, but for our team too. As part of Unlocking Language, you will be part of a warm and growing company that invests in your professional journey and celebrates your contribution.
Job description Job responsibilities OVERVIEW
Unlocking Language is an independent Speech and Language Therapy provider, offering services in a range of paediatric and adult settings.
This role involves providing specialist speech and language therapy services to children in special education needs (SEN) settings. The therapist will assess, diagnose, and treat a diverse range of speech, language, communication, and swallowing disorders in children/adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)/Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD), Social, Emotional and Mental Health difficulties (SEMH), facilitating their funtioning and participation in an adapted educational setting.
The role is based in SEN schools in various locations, with standard working hours (typically 8.30am to 4:30pm). This job description provides a comprehensive overview of the expectations and requirements for a Band 6 Paediatric SEN Speech and Language Therapist, offering a challenging yet rewarding opportunity for those passionate about paediatric healthcare.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Assessment: Conduct detailed assessments to identify speech, language, and communication needs in clients using a range of age-appropriate standardised and non-standardised tools, including observations and discussion with parents/school staff.
Diagnosis: Accurately diagnose a broad range of complex speech, language and communication disorders and provide verbal and written feedback to parents, carers and/or schools as appropriate.
Treatment Planning and Intervention: Create tailored intervention plans that align with each student's educational needs and goals and the current evidence base, formulating SMART targets to address the students areas of need. Utilize creative and engaging therapy techniques suitable for students in an SEN setting. Apply strategies to support children with diverse needs, including those with multilingual backgrounds and sensory differences.
Collaboration: Work closely with teachers, SENCOs, and other school staff to integrate communication goals into the classroom and broader curriculum. Contribute to multidisciplinary meetings, sharing insights and strategies for holistic student support.
Monitoring and Reporting: Regularly monitor progress and adjust treatment plans as necessary. Document and report on patient progress through written target updates and verbal feedback.
Education and Training: Provide guidance and training to school staff for supporting children's speech and language development in class. Engage with parents or caregivers to ensure a consistent approach between school and home. Develop an area of clinical specialism and provide advice and support to colleagues in this area.
Clinical Governance and Professional Development: Engage in continual professional development to keep abreast of the latest research and techniques in speech and language therapy for SEN students. Engage in regular supervision as part of professional growth.
Ethical and Legal Compliance: Ensure all activities are in compliance with professional standards and legal regulations.
Caseload Management: Effectively manage a school caseload, including timetabling assessment/therapy sessions,updating records and completing required admin (e.g., reports and case notes) within a specified time frame and to a high quality.
Supervision: Provide professional supervision to junior colleagues in line with company guidelines. Support student speech and language therapy students as a Practice Educator.
Company development: Take the lead on projects designed to develop the effectiveness of company practice.
QUALIFICATIONS
A Bachelors or Masters degree in Speech and Language Therapy or equivalent.
Registration (or pending registration) with the Health and Care Professions Council.
Significant experience in pediatric speech and language therapy, particularly in a specialist school setting.
SKILLS
Embodiment of the company values of empowerment, education, empathy and excellence through:
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Creativity in devising and delivering engaging therapy activities for students with special educational needs
Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
Empathy and a patient-centered approach.
Ability to reflect on practice and engage in career-long learning
Spoken and written language at equivalent to level 8 of the International English Language Testing System.
Advanced understanding of a range ASD/SEMH/PMLD and neurodivergent affirming therapy approaches for a range of speech, language and communication needs within this client group.
Strong problem solving skills
Strong leadership skills.
Willingness to take on additional duties as and when required to serve the interests of clients and support colleagues.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Undergraduate or postgraduate degree in speech therapy
Desirable
N/A
Experience Essential
N/A
Desirable
2 years experience
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 Unlocking Language
Address Unlocking Language
12 Pepper Street
London
E14 9RP
Employer's website http://www.unlockinglanguage.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)