NELFT North East London Foundation Trust

Speech & Language Therapy Assistant

The closing date is 22 February 2026

Job summary

A fixed term maternity cover vacancy for paediatric Speech and Language Therapist assistant practitioner has arisen at NELFT NHS Foundation Trust. This is an exciting opportunity to join a well-established, supportive and experienced Speech & Language Therapy Team who can offer support if you have an existing interest and experience in speech and language therapy. We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to be part of our team and contribute to the future of our service.

Our team is based in Barking and Dagenham and is part of the Integrated Paediatric Therapy Department which includes Speech and Language Therapists, Paediatricians, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Social Workers and Psychologists amongst other key professionals.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will work under the supervision of qualified Speech and Language Therapists to support the implementation of therapy programmes. This will include carrying out supervised direct and indirect therapy with children presenting with speech, language and communication disorders and helping with projects to further develop our service. You will work with pre-school and school aged children in clinic in a range of settings either face to face or though video sessions.

About us

Our Values 2025 - 2030 Working with our colleagues, patients and carers we have co-produced three new values that we aim to embed within our culture here at NELFT. They are: We are kind. We are respectful. We work together with our communities.These three values help us to strive to provide the best care by the best people. Starting with NELFT NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers, and attend a number of drop-in sessions focusing on engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex. Probationary Period This post will be subject to a probationary period. High Cost Area Supplement - Outer London This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 15%of the basic salary (minimum payment of £4,714 and a maximum payment of £5,941 - per annum, pro rata for part time).Use of AI

Please see attached document regarding acceptable use of AIduring the recruitment process.

Details

Date posted

11 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year plus HCAS per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

395-BD014-26

Job locations

Axe street

Child and Family Centre, Axe Street

Barking

IG11 7LZ


Job description

Job responsibilities

The main responsibilities of the post:

  1. To contribute to the provision of speech and language therapy clinical care pathways across Barking and Dagenham
  2. To assist the Speech and Language Therapists in providing a high standard of service through the implementation of therapy programmes and interventions
  3. To prepare the therapy environment, including the making and preparation of therapy materials and activities, ensuring equipment is available and in good condition.
  4. To carry out administrative tasks as requested by the supervising therapists including arranging appointments and maintaining the electronic patient records.
  5. To work closely with clients, carers, families and professionals to embed inclusive speech, language and communication practice both across settings
  6. To provide mentoring of colleagues and peer support
  7. To contribute to both multi-disciplinary team working to ensure co-ordinated service provision
  8. To attend relevant training courses, meetings and special interest groups in order to maintain skills and knowledge required of an assistant Speech and Language Therapist working in the field of paediatrics Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role and working at North East London NHS Foundation Trust. We encourage you to refer to this when completing your application.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The main responsibilities of the post:

  1. To contribute to the provision of speech and language therapy clinical care pathways across Barking and Dagenham
  2. To assist the Speech and Language Therapists in providing a high standard of service through the implementation of therapy programmes and interventions
  3. To prepare the therapy environment, including the making and preparation of therapy materials and activities, ensuring equipment is available and in good condition.
  4. To carry out administrative tasks as requested by the supervising therapists including arranging appointments and maintaining the electronic patient records.
  5. To work closely with clients, carers, families and professionals to embed inclusive speech, language and communication practice both across settings
  6. To provide mentoring of colleagues and peer support
  7. To contribute to both multi-disciplinary team working to ensure co-ordinated service provision
  8. To attend relevant training courses, meetings and special interest groups in order to maintain skills and knowledge required of an assistant Speech and Language Therapist working in the field of paediatrics Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role and working at North East London NHS Foundation Trust. We encourage you to refer to this when completing your application.

Person Specification

Training

Essential

  • Qualification relevant to working with preschool and school age children and/or equivalent NVQ level 3 or ETEC with children
  • Demonstrate effective communication skills
  • Inservice training, short courses and work experience
  • Appropriate level of literacy and numeracy- demonstrated in written application

Desirable

  • Experience of carrying out speech and language programmes
  • Ability to prioritise own caseload
  • Experience of safeguarding children/ practice related to safeguarding children

Safeguarding

Essential

  • Experience of safeguarding children/ practice related to safeguarding children

Communication

Essential

  • Ability to communicate factual information to clients, families, MDT members and other professionals in a written and verbal form

Desirable

  • Experience of working with early years and school age children
Person Specification

Training

Essential

  • Qualification relevant to working with preschool and school age children and/or equivalent NVQ level 3 or ETEC with children
  • Demonstrate effective communication skills
  • Inservice training, short courses and work experience
  • Appropriate level of literacy and numeracy- demonstrated in written application

Desirable

  • Experience of carrying out speech and language programmes
  • Ability to prioritise own caseload
  • Experience of safeguarding children/ practice related to safeguarding children

Safeguarding

Essential

  • Experience of safeguarding children/ practice related to safeguarding children

Communication

Essential

  • Ability to communicate factual information to clients, families, MDT members and other professionals in a written and verbal form

Desirable

  • Experience of working with early years and school age children

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.

Employer details

Employer name

NELFT North East London Foundation Trust

Address

Axe street

Child and Family Centre, Axe Street

Barking

IG11 7LZ


Employer's website

https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

NELFT North East London Foundation Trust

Address

Axe street

Child and Family Centre, Axe Street

Barking

IG11 7LZ


Employer's website

https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Interim Speech and language Therapy lead

Narelle Jacobs

narelle.jacobs@nelft.nhs.uk

03003001751

Details

Date posted

11 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year plus HCAS per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

395-BD014-26

Job locations

Axe street

Child and Family Centre, Axe Street

Barking

IG11 7LZ


Supporting documents

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