About this role
Job summary
We are currently expanding the size of our therapies team by recruiting speech and language therapists to support the rise of statutory speech and language therapy provision and SEND Support services across the London Borough of Sutton. As part on the Governments SEND reform we are developing a new and exciting Experts At Hand service launching in September 2026.
You will be employed by Cognus Therapies team. We are a thriving multidisciplinary team of speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, practitioners and therapy assistants who support children and young people aged 4 25 years in mainstream schools, colleges, and specialist settings within the London Borough of Sutton and surrounding boroughs. Cognus Therapies is owned by the London Borough of Sutton and forms part of Cognus Limited who are the providers for special educational needs services within the borough, and we share an office with Education Psychologist colleagues, EHCP coordinators, Behaviour Specialists, the Autism Service and more.
Main duties of the job
Working within a multidisciplinary team of speech therapists and occupational therapists, the post holder will have the opportunity to work in local schools and colleges across the 4 years to 25 years age range or with a smaller age range within this.
Deliver specialist paediatric speech and language therapy within mainstream schools using the Experts at Hand model, focusing on early intervention, inclusion, and embedding practical strategies into everyday teaching and learning.
Provide on-demand consultation, advice, and training to education staff supporting children and young people based on functional need - without requiring diagnosis or EHCP and working collaboratively with families and multi-agency partners.
Build capacity and confidence within education settings through time-limited, needsled support, combining clinical practice, coaching, and system-level input to improve outcomes and demonstrate impact aligned with local SEND priorities.
Advising and supporting local schools / settings with children and young people with Speech, Language & Communication Needs (SLCN) including a possible cohort with ASD or PMLD and SLCN; to manage their caseload to ensure that intended outcomes are delivered within agreed service standard
Raising awareness of the needs of and strategies available for children and young people with SLCN.
About us
Cognus Limited is a Local Authority Traded Company, which is commissioned by the London Borough of Sutton to provide education services to early years providers, mainstream schools and specialist education settings in Sutton. Wholly owned by the local authority, we deliver a wide range of high-quality services to deliver excellent practice that improve the lives of children, young people, and families in Sutton and beyond.
Job description Job responsibilities
POSITIONBand 6 Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
DIVISIONCognus Therapies
BUSINESS UNITSpeech and Language Therapy
REPORTS TOHighly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist and Therapy Lead
RESPONSIBLE FORWorking within a multidisciplinary team of SALTs and OTs, working with children and young people aged 4 to 25. Delivering specialist therapy, advice and training within mainstream schools under the Experts at Hand SEND Reform model.
GRADE/PAYBand 6 Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist. £44,660.21 to £53,046.29 FTE per annum inclusive of HCAS (FTE).
LOCATIONSLondon Borough of Sutton and surrounding areas
JOB SUMMARY
Working within a multidisciplinary team of speech therapists and occupational therapists, the post holder will have the opportunity to work in local schools and colleges across the 4 years to 25 years age range or with a smaller age range within this.
Deliver specialist paediatric speech and language therapy, advice and training within mainstream schools using the Experts at Hand model, focusing on early intervention, inclusion, and embedding practical strategies into everyday teaching and learning.
Provide on-demand consultation, advice, and training to education staff supporting children and young people based on functional need - without requiring diagnosis or EHCP and working collaboratively with families and multi-agency partners.
Build capacity and confidence within education settings through time-limited, needs-led support, combining clinical practice, coaching, and system-level input to improve outcomes and demonstrate impact aligned with local SEND priorities.
Advising and supporting local schools / settings with children and young people with Speech, Language & Communication Needs
Raising awareness of the needs of and strategies available for children and young people with SLCN.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES
Day to day work and specific duties
Direct and indirect work with the child and/or young person
Direct work with families, parents and carers
Visiting and assessing children and young people with SLCN.
To appropriately identify service provision in line with child and young persons needs at specialist, targeted or universal level of support.
Delivery of specialist programmes on an individual and/or small group basis.
Offering advice to parents and carers as well as teaching staff at a targeted or universal level.
Maintaining childrens / young peoples records to a high standard
Completion of informal and formal assessments
Maintaining case notes, reports and records to RCSLT standards
Training and Development
To be aware of changing trends in evidence-based practice Embedding legislative change and key developments relating to improved outcomes for children and young people with SEND and SLCN, e.g., SEND Reform Participate in audits, service development activities and research as required Participate in peer supervision activities Engage in CPD as identified through line management, clinical supervision and appraisals Comply with Cognus Limited mandatory training requirements Plan and provide trainings to stakeholdersGENERIC OBJECTIVES:
Contribute to Cognus Limited's business objectives at the appropriate level by ensuring every child matters and has access to education and learning opportunities, including:
a) Health and safety
b) Safeguarding and protection of children
c) Equal opportunities and management of diversity
d) Data protection
e) Outstanding Customer care
GENERAL:
SAFER RECRUITMENT:
Cognus is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that it works with. An offer of employment is subject to safer recruitment practices which include an enhanced DBS check, two professional references acceptable to Cognus Limited, proof of qualifications, proof of right to work in the UK, proof of personal address and employment history covering 5 years and, fitness to work with children (occupational health assessment). These checks must have been completed prior to commencement of employment. We have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practices across the organisation.
PROCESSING OF DATA:
a) You (the employee) consent to the holding and processing of personal data provided by you to the Company (the Company) for all purposes relating to your employment, but not limited to administering and maintaining personnel records, paying and reviewing salary and other remuneration and benefits, undertaking performance appraisals and reviews, the compulsory Disclosure and Baring Services check (DBS) details in line with its statutory responsibility to safeguard and protect children and vulnerable service users; maintaining sickness and other absence records and taking decisions as to your fitness for work.
b) You hereby acknowledge and agree that the Company may, in the course of its general and statutory duties as an employer be required to disclose personal data relating to you for legislative purposes during or after the end of your employment. This does not affect your statutory rights under the General Data Protection Regulation 2018.
CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT:
During the course of your employment, you will have access to and knowledge of Company confidential information and trade secrets.
a) Disclosure of any of this confidential information and/or trade secrets could have serious financial consequences and/or create serious competitive disadvantages for the Company. There may be material damage, financial or otherwise, deliberate or otherwise, to the Companys legitimate business interest.
b) Under the terms of this confidentiality agreement, you agree to keep secret and shall not at any time, either during employment or post-employment, use, communicate or reveal to any person any trade secret or confidential information relating to the Company or any Associated Company.
c) You are aware of the Company's policies in relation to compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation and undertake to act in accordance with these at all times. Any breach of these policies will be dealt with under the Company's disciplinary procedure and action taken can include dismissal without notice.
This job description and person specification outlines the summary of key accountabilities and is not an exhaustive list of duties and, is subject to periodical review and changes in line with the business needs.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Educated to degree level or equivalent Relevant qualifications including registration with HCPC
Experience Essential
Ability to prioritise and deliver results to high standards Excellent organisational skills Excellent communication skills Leads others by setting a positive example in line with company values and acts as a role model Experience as a paediatric speech and language therapist Adherence to RCSLT and HCPC policies and procedures Is decisive with problem-solving skills Is committed to safeguarding and protection of children Honours and upholds the Companys Equal Opportunity Policy, Dignity at Work Policy, Safeguarding and Protection of Children, Health and Safety and Data Protection Policy at all times
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 Cognus Limited
Address Cognus Limited
Cantium House
Railway Approach
Wallington
Sutton
SM6 0DZ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://cognus.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)