Experienced Speech and Language Therapist @ ChatterBug Speech and Language Therapy Service

Job summary

Chatterbug is looking for an Experienced Speech and Language Therapist to join our team in Sheffield. This is an opportunity to provide autonomous, evidence-based speech and language therapy within Sheffields Experts at Hand model, working closely with mainstream education settings, families and locality multidisciplinary teams.

You will support children with a range of speech, language and communication needs (SLCN), combining clinical assessment and intervention with consultation, workforce development and support for colleagues. As a named Link Therapist for allocated settings, you will help ensure children receive the right support at the right level, with more complex needs identified and escalated appropriately.

This role is suited to an experienced, motivated clinician who enjoys collaborative working, developing the skills of others and contributing to service improvement. You will have the opportunity to exercise clinical judgement, build strong partnerships with education professionals and families, and make a meaningful difference to children's communication and participation.

Main duties of the job

You will act as a named Link Therapist for allocated education settings, providing assessment, clinical formulation, advice and intervention for children with speech, language and communication needs. You will develop and evaluate therapy programmes, advise families and education staff on supportive communication environments, and produce clear clinical reports and recommendations.

You will work alongside multidisciplinary professionals, contribute to joint planning and decision-making, and identify when children require specialist pathways or additional support. You will also coach education staff, support less experienced Speech and Language Therapists and contribute to training and workforce development.

The role includes maintaining accurate clinical records, contributing to Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) applications and reviews, participating in clinical audit and service improvement, and working in line with safeguarding, information governance and professional standards. You will use evidence-based practice and outcome measures to support effective clinical care and positive outcomes for children.

About us

Chatterbug Ltd is a national social enterprise providing a range of Speech and Language Therapy services. We are committed to delivering high-quality, evidence-based support that achieves meaningful results for children, families and the communities we serve.

Our work is guided by four core values: Open, Connected, Dependable and Fortitude. We believe in collaborative working, strong professional relationships and ensuring that children and the adults who support them receive appropriate, effective help.

Joining Chatterbug means contributing to a service that values clinical expertise, professional development, innovation and continuous improvement. You will work with education partners, families, multidisciplinary colleagues and other professionals to improve communication outcomes and help settings respond effectively to children's needs.

We encourage our team members to share knowledge, support colleagues, develop their clinical skills and contribute ideas that improve the quality of our services. As a growing social enterprise, we aim to balance high standards of service delivery with our wider mission to create a positive social impact.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Experienced Speech and Language Therapist

Service/Department: Chatterbug Speech and Language TherapyLocation: SheffieldAccountable to: Clinical Specialist / Clinical Service Manager

Job Purpose

The postholder will provide experienced, autonomous Speech and Language Therapy input within Sheffields Experts at Hand model. Working across mainstream education settings and locality multidisciplinary teams, they will combine direct universal and targeted delivery with assessment, clinical formulation, consultation, workforce development and support to less experienced colleagues.

The role will help ensure children and settings receive the right response at the right level and that complex needs are recognised and escalated appropriately.

Main Duties and ResponsibilitiesClinical Responsibilities

• Assess, diagnose and provide support to children with a range of speech, language and communication needs (SLCN), with appropriate supervision.
• Provide client-focused assessment and treatment.
• Represent the service at health and education panels where required.
• Assess and advise on optimising the communication environment, considering the communication skills of parents, guardians, carers and other professionals.
• Develop and implement speech and language therapy treatment programmes, measuring and evaluating outcomes.
• Demonstrate clinical effectiveness through evidence-based practice and outcome measures.
• Undertake proportionate assessment and clinical formulation, manage more complex presentations within the scope of the Experts at Hand model, and contribute to triage and multidisciplinary decision-making.
• Identify when specialist pathways are required and support effective referrals and warm handovers.

Communication and Partnership Working

• Communicate assessment findings and treatment recommendations effectively to children, families, carers and other professionals.
• Produce detailed clinical reports that reflect children's needs and summarise proposed treatment plans.
• Provide accessible verbal and written advice and programmes to parents, carers and professionals.
• Involve parents and teaching staff in planning and prioritising treatment.
• Contribute to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), Individual Education Plans and annual reviews, as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date case notes in line with Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) professional standards and service policies.
• Share information appropriately while complying with current data protection requirements.
• Work closely with education partners, families and locality multidisciplinary teams to coordinate support where several professionals or services are involved.

Workforce Development and Clinical Support

• Act as a named Link Therapist for allocated education settings.
• Provide coaching and consultation to education staff to support communication-friendly environments and effective responses to children's needs.
• Provide clinical support to Speech and Language Therapy colleagues and support less experienced team members.
• Contribute to the organisation and delivery of training for teachers, parents and other professionals.
• Identify recurring themes across settings and contribute to service improvement.
• Provide senior locality cover with Clinical Specialist support when required, recognising when specialist or management escalation is necessary.

Clinical Governance and Professional Development

• Gather and submit statistical information punctually.
• Participate in service research and undertake clinical governance or audit projects as required.
• Maintain a working knowledge of safeguarding procedures, special educational needs processes and relevant legal frameworks.
• Maintain and develop professional knowledge and skills in SLCN through self-directed learning, relevant training, meetings and professional development.
• Adhere to RCSLT professional standards, local clinical guidelines and evidence-based best practice.
• Engage with clinical tools, digital systems and service models that support outcome measurement and continuous improvement.
• Reflect on clinical practice independently and with peers or mentors to identify strengths and development needs.

Service Development and Organisational Responsibilities

• Contribute to service development, quality improvement and organisational initiatives.
• Exercise appropriate clinical judgement, remain accountable for professional actions and recognise professional boundaries.
• Work within departmental and national protocols, policies and professional codes of conduct.
• Agree appropriate points of closure with children and families when discharging from services, and inform relevant professionals.
• Maintain the security, care and appropriate use of clinical equipment, including equipment loaned to clients.
• Monitor equipment and stock levels and request replacements when required.

Safeguarding, Information Governance, Health and Safety, and Equality

• Follow national and local safeguarding policies and procedures, acting on concerns appropriately to protect children, young people and adults.
• Comply with the Data Protection Act 2018, UK GDPR, confidentiality requirements and relevant information governance policies.
• Maintain accurate clinical and organisational records in accordance with service standards.
• Comply with applicable health and safety requirements, assess risks, report incidents and hazards, and take reasonable steps to protect personal and others' safety.
• Work in accordance with relevant legal and organisational requirements, including the Equality Act 2010 and Human Rights Act 1998.
• Promote equality, respect diversity and adapt clinical practice to meet individual circumstances, including cultural and linguistic differences.
• Work in accordance with applicable mental capacity legislation and relevant local and national policies.

Person SpecificationEssential Qualifications

• Qualified Speech and Language Therapist.
• Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
• Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).

Essential Experience

• Experience working with relevant client groups, including education partners.
• Experience of a range of relevant paediatric communication disorders.
• Experience supporting Speech and Language Therapy Assistants (SLTAs).
• Experience organising, preparing and delivering training courses for teachers and parents.
• Experience contributing to EHCP applications.
• Experience participating in and contributing to joint planning meetings.

Essential Skills and Knowledge

• Knowledge of education processes and policies.
• Knowledge of NICE guidelines in relevant clinical areas.
• Knowledge of a wide range of speech and language therapy interventions.
• High standard of report writing for children with SLCN.
• Confident IT skills.
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with professionals, parents and carers.
• Understanding of Chatterbug's ethos and values.
• Ability to integrate clinical, communication and environmental information to inform assessment and decision-making.
• Ability to make appropriate clinical decisions while recognising when specialist advice and support are required.

Desirable Criteria

• Additional advanced training in specialist areas.
• Experience working within a multidisciplinary team and contributing to multidisciplinary diagnostic assessment.

Job-Specific Requirements

• Ability to travel independently across the geographical area.
• Valid driving licence.
• Access to own vehicle.
• Flexibility to work in accordance with service needs.

Core Behaviours and Values

Chatterbug is guided by four core values: Open, Connected, Dependable and Fortitude.

The postholder is also expected to demonstrate the following behaviours:

• Innovative and Knowledgeable: Uses creative problem-solving, shares ideas and applies relevant professional knowledge and best practice.
• Respectful: Treats others with dignity and fairness, listens actively and maintains professionalism.
• Collaborative: Works effectively with colleagues, clients, families and partners, supporting shared goals.
• Resilient: Responds constructively to challenges, maintains focus and demonstrates persistence.
• Customer Focused: Prioritises client needs and works proactively to resolve issues.
• Lead by Example: Demonstrates integrity, professionalism and initiative.
• Flexible: Adapts to changing priorities and service needs.
• Curious: Seeks learning opportunities and contributes to continuous improvement.
• Results Oriented: Focuses on outcomes, accountability and high standards.
• Conscious Capitalism: Understands the social enterprise model and balances organisational objectives with positive social impact.

Additional Information

This job description provides a guide to the role and is not an exhaustive list of duties. Additional tasks may be allocated in line with business needs and service developments.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Experience working with relevant client groups, including education partners.
• Experience of a range of relevant paediatric communication disorders.
• Experience supporting Speech and Language Therapy Assistants (SLTAs).
• Experience organising, preparing and delivering training courses for teachers and parents.
• Experience contributing to Education, Health and Care (EHC) applications.
• Experience participating in and contributing to joint planning meetings.

Desirable

• Experience working within a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience contributing to multidisciplinary diagnostic assessment.

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.

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

ChatterBug Speech and Language Therapy Service

Address

Sheffield

S1 4PL

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://chatter-bug.com/ (Opens in a new tab)