About this role
Job summary
We are thrilled to offer an exciting fixed term opportunity to join our dynamic Children and Young People's (CYP) Therapies Service to cover a maternity leave.
Are you considering whether you are ready to take the next step in your career--developing your leadership potential while continuing to grow your specialist clinical skills? If so, this could be the perfect role for you.
The Speech and Language Therapy Training and Development Lead for Special Schools/Colleges is designed to provide high-quality, targeted support for CYP with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) in specialist education settings.
We are looking for a motivated and experienced Band 7 Speech and Language Therapist to join our growing team of therapists and therapy assistants. This role is fixed term for 9 months and will involve supporting our specialist settings across Hertfordshire (base can be agreed for successful candidate). A car driver is essential.
If you're passionate about making a real difference in children's lives and working in a collaborative, forward-thinking environment, we'd love to hear from you.
Interview date set for: 22nd June 2026
Main duties of the job
You'll play a vital role in shaping inclusive, communication-friendly education environments across Hertfordshire. This is a fantastic opportunity to combine clinical expertise with strategic leadership and partnership working. Your role will include:
Leading on the design and development of high-quality, impactful service offer for CYP with SLCN who attend specialist settings, working alongside clinical teams, Clinical Quality Leads and Operational Leads. Working closely with schools and therapy teams to understand needs and co-design universal and targeted training packages, delivering specialist advice, and supporting effective clinical practice. Seeking regular input from schools and stakeholders and using feedback to ensure our service remains responsive, impactful, and aligned with local needs. What We Offer
We believe in supporting our staff to grow, thrive and feel connected--professionally and personally. Here's what you can expect:
Half-termly group supervision and regular peer support Dedicated managerial supervision and a structured appraisal process CPD opportunities, including bitesize tutorials and peer review A supportive two-week induction with time to observe and shadow team members Access to a named buddy to help you settle into the team
About us
A big thank you for considering joining us at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust
You'll find it a great place to work with many benefits offered to you as a member of our staff
We put our patients, their families and carers at the centre of our vision - OutstandingServices and Healthier Communities
Our staff are proud to be Innovative, Caring and Agile in their work to help achieve the Trustvision
We welcome diversity in our workforce and are interested in applicants from all backgrounds and ages.
We don't want you to miss out so we'd like you to know that if we have a high level ofinterest in this role, the vacancy may close prior to the advertised closing date, so pleasemake your application as soon as possible - Apply now
You've made a great decision to apply to join to HCT - we're looking forward to taking thenext steps of the journey with you.
Job description Job responsibilities
For a full overview of the role and responsibilities, please refer to the attached Job Description.
Were looking for an enthusiastic, motivated clinician with strong communication, clinical reasoning, and organisational skills. Youll be a team player with the confidence to work autonomously and advocate for the needs of CYP. Providing professional and managerial supervision to less experienced colleagues, supporting their development and confidence.
You will be joining a well-established, supportive team of therapists and assistants. CYP Therapies at HCT pride ourselves on the support we provide to staff. This is what our staff feel about a similar role:
I have worked at HCT for almost 2 years and have loved the opportunities this role has given me to make real positive changes to our service users, in partnership with my local schools. I feel lucky to work in such a creative, supportive, and innovative team where there is always opportunity and time to plan and implement new and exciting ways of working, to further our targeted and universal service offer. My role offers the perfect combination of clinical work and service development opportunities, and the team itself have diverse clinical interests and are incredibly friendly and welcoming
In addition to the basic salary, this post attracts a High Cost Area Supplement of 5% of basic salary subject to a maximum payment of £1,915 per annum (pro rata where applicable and dependent on base location).
A full, valid driving licence and regular access to a car for business purposes is essential (unless you are covered under the Equality Act 2010).
HCT encourages all staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19, in line with current guidance, to help protect our patients, communities, and colleagues.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training Essential
Recognised Speech & Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent (Post Graduate Diploma or MSc in Speech & Language Therapy) Evidence of post graduate training and/or equivalent experience to maintain and develop highly specialist knowledge in area of specialism Registered to practice with Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC) Registered member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, Membership of relevant CEN
Desirable
Experience of working with Education stakeholder and partners.
Experience and Knowledge Essential
Experience of multi disciplinary/agency working related to the specialism Highly specialist clinical skills including assessment, diagnosis diagnosis and intervention for CYP with a range of SLCN. Experience of delivering training Experience and commitment to involve patients and service users in the design and development of service provision Evidence of involvement in service improvement relevant to clinical area Understanding of the Special Educational Needs Assessment process related to supporting children within special and mainstream schools and contributing to their Education, Health and Care Plans including understanding of the Tribunal process
Skills and abilities Essential
Excellent communication skills both oral and written, including the ability to liaise and negotiate Ability to communicate and receive complex and sensitive information Knowledge of barriers to understanding & ability to explain complex issues simply. Able to analyse and interpret complex data Computer literate including use of Excel spreadsheets, databases and PowerPoint
Other Essential
Hold a full valid driving licence and access to a car to use regularly for business purposes is essential (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).
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 Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust
Address Howard Court
14 Tewin Road
Welwyn Garden City
AL7 1BW
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.hct.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)