Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust

Specialist Speech and Language Therapist Preschool - Luton

The closing date is 12 October 2025

Job summary

B6 Specialist Speech and Language Therapist - Preschool

Come and join our friendly Speech and Language Therapy Team in Luton, Bedfordshire.

We are looking for an experienced and dynamic Specialist Speech and Language Therapists to join our established community therapy team working with preschool children in Luton.

We need:

Confident, motivated and enthusiastic therapist, willing to work flexibly

Experience of working with preschool children with a wide range of SLCN

Someone looking to develop their clinical knowledge and skills

You will:

Manage a caseload providing targeted, evidence-based assessment and therapy

Work closely with colleagues in health and education

Participate in training to parents and other professionals around SLC needs

Support junior staff within the service

As a Service we provide:

A welcoming and supportive team

Formal and informal training, including shadowing opportunities

Regular robust clinical supervision and a mentoring system

Regular whole team in house CPD days as well as in service and external courses

Collaborative working with system partners including 0-19 team, Community Paediatrics and education settings

Reflective clinical forums and buddying systems

Regular whole service and locality meetings

Career development opportunities including clinical and professional development

"Should we receive a high number of applications we reserve the right to close this vacancy at any point after 06/10/2025"

Main duties of the job

The post holders will provide specialist clinical input to preschool children across the Luton locality.

Working as part of the community preschool team, you will provide speech and language therapy support to children with a wide range of SLC needs including statutory provision.

You will provide training to enable parents and other professionals to support children's language and communication needs.

You will mentor and support other colleagues.

About us

Rated 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission, we are proud to provide high quality innovative services across most of the east of England that enable people to receive care closer to home and live healthier lives.

There's one reason why our services are outstanding - and that's our amazing staff - who, for the seventh year running, rated us incredibly highly in the national staff survey.

If you share our passion for innovative and high-quality care delivery, then please submit your application and join us on our exciting journey as a leading-edge specialist community provider. All are welcome to apply and our promise to you is a culture which prioritises staff engagement and development.

Details

Date posted

29 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum, pro-rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

448-BCHS-7309228-A

Job locations

Luton

9 Mersey Place, Liverpool Road Health Centre, Luton

Luton

LU1 1HH


Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

To independently identify, assess and diagnose speech, language and communication impairments and select appropriate patients and type of therapy for effective treatment.

To make a differential diagnosis based on evidence from assessment, and design appropriate treatment based on analysis of profile of need seeking advice as appropriate.

Be responsible for delivering specialist speech and language therapy input to school age children and young people of all ages, covering a range of disorders of communication.

To provide training to enable parents and other professionals to support childrens language and communication needs.

Make independent decisions about caseload management, including discharge.

To plan, organise and prioritise own workload, clinical and non-clinical.

To use clinical skills to generate appropriate strategies for caseload management for complex clinical issues.

Gain extensive clinical experience and expertise to improve and further develop specialist skills through training, support and study.

To have appropriate knowledge or an awareness of low tech AAC, for example communication boards.

To have knowledge of and contribute to the EHCP process within the given timescales, including preparing reports with outcomes and targets for the initial report and for annual reviews as required.

To triage new referrals into the service and reject or accept these based on service criteria, including skills in discussing potential referrals with referrers.

To provide second opinions and shadowing opportunities for less experienced colleagues, including within the Language Provision, as required.

To seek out second opinions from more experience colleagues as required.

To make referrals onto specialist services as required, including Health, Education and / or Social Services.

To participate in the development and delivery of training (formal and informal) to others with and without support and reflect on and evaluate training provided.

Independently take students on placements for clinical teaching and supervision, including exam placement.

Undertake supervision and complete appraisals for SLTs and Support Practitioners.

To contribute to the support of newly and recently graduated SLT Staff.

To support and take part in the induction and training of new staff to the service.

Communication
  1. To work collaboratively and liaise with a wide range of professions across a variety of locations and agencies
  2. To attend and report to case conferences/review meetings etc. for patients on the caseload,agreeing/ negotiating management, including the setting of agreed communication targets
  3. To attend and participate in professional meetings and other relevant meetings.
  4. To present and communicate complex condition-related information in such a manner as to motivate and inform patients, carers, families and members of the multi-disciplinary team/other professions, agreeing decision-making relevant to patient management.
  5. To communicate effectively with patients with communication problems where difficulties to understanding exist, using observation, listening and empathy
  6. To use good interpersonal skills to listen well and counsel patients and carers, so providing support and empathy without prejudice.
  7. To use negotiation skills to manage conflict as needed across a range of situations.
  8. To deal with initial complaints sensitively and manage patient concerns appropriately.
  9. To convey complex information clearly to patients, carers and other professionals both in verbal and written form
  10. To use clinical skills to generate written reports reflecting specialist knowledge.
  11. To establish and maintain positive interpersonal relationships with other staff which are characterised by open communication, trust and respect
  12. To attend and contribute as appropriate to Locality Meetings, Clinical Forums and Paediatric service meetings and other professional and / or relevant meetings.
  13. Key Relationship

Internal: Speech & Language Therapy colleagues 0-19 Team (Health Visitors and School Nurses) Allied Health Professionals Paediatric medical staff Administrative staffExternal: Education staff Social Services

Budgetary Responsibility
  1. Does not hold budgetary responsibility but is aware of the need to plan non-pay expenditure.
  2. To monitor stock levels in own service area and request new equipment as appropriate.
People Management
  1. To work independently accessing appraisal within an Individual Performance Framework at predetermined intervals ensuring that the objectives set reflect the Service and Trust plans,
  2. To identify personal/professional development evidenced by Personal Development Plan/ Professional Portfolio.
  3. To attend relevant training (courses, meetings, CENs) and development in order to maintain and develop skills and knowledge required of a therapist working in this field. To keep up to date with new techniques and developments for the promotion and maintenance of good speech & language therapy practice in paediatrics and maintain up to date HCPC and RCSLT registration.
  4. To actively participate in reflective clinical supervision with peers / clinical supervisor in order to develop and enhance practice.
Research & Development Activity
  1. To undertake Clinical Governance /audit projects within local service and Language Provision.
  2. To participate in departmental research and clinical governance/audit projects.
  3. To collect and provide research data as required.
  4. To demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence-based practice and outcome measures.
Clinical and Practice Governance
  1. Observe and maintain strict confidentiality with regards to any patient/family/staff/records and information in line with the requirements of the Data Protection Act.
  2. To manage and prioritise a defined caseload and work with an appropriate degree of autonomy and independence.
  3. Any data that is taken/shared as part of a phone call or transported or transferred electronically must be undertaken with regard to the Trust Information Governance and Information Security policies
  4. To share information with others, observing data protection guidelines.
  5. The post holder must adhere to the Trust risk assessment and risk management processes.
  6. The post holder must adhere to infection control policies and procedures.
  7. It is a condition of your employment that you are currently registered with HCPC and RCSLT and it is your responsibility to maintain your professional registration
  8. Undertake mandatory training and any other training relevant to the role as required by Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust.
  9. The post holder must participate in clinical and other audits as required.
  10. Participate in clinical supervision on a regular basis.
  11. The post holder is required to participate in relevant emergency preparedness process for their team.
  12. To be flexible to the demands of the environment including unpredictable work patterns, deadlines and frequent interruptions.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

To independently identify, assess and diagnose speech, language and communication impairments and select appropriate patients and type of therapy for effective treatment.

To make a differential diagnosis based on evidence from assessment, and design appropriate treatment based on analysis of profile of need seeking advice as appropriate.

Be responsible for delivering specialist speech and language therapy input to school age children and young people of all ages, covering a range of disorders of communication.

To provide training to enable parents and other professionals to support childrens language and communication needs.

Make independent decisions about caseload management, including discharge.

To plan, organise and prioritise own workload, clinical and non-clinical.

To use clinical skills to generate appropriate strategies for caseload management for complex clinical issues.

Gain extensive clinical experience and expertise to improve and further develop specialist skills through training, support and study.

To have appropriate knowledge or an awareness of low tech AAC, for example communication boards.

To have knowledge of and contribute to the EHCP process within the given timescales, including preparing reports with outcomes and targets for the initial report and for annual reviews as required.

To triage new referrals into the service and reject or accept these based on service criteria, including skills in discussing potential referrals with referrers.

To provide second opinions and shadowing opportunities for less experienced colleagues, including within the Language Provision, as required.

To seek out second opinions from more experience colleagues as required.

To make referrals onto specialist services as required, including Health, Education and / or Social Services.

To participate in the development and delivery of training (formal and informal) to others with and without support and reflect on and evaluate training provided.

Independently take students on placements for clinical teaching and supervision, including exam placement.

Undertake supervision and complete appraisals for SLTs and Support Practitioners.

To contribute to the support of newly and recently graduated SLT Staff.

To support and take part in the induction and training of new staff to the service.

Communication
  1. To work collaboratively and liaise with a wide range of professions across a variety of locations and agencies
  2. To attend and report to case conferences/review meetings etc. for patients on the caseload,agreeing/ negotiating management, including the setting of agreed communication targets
  3. To attend and participate in professional meetings and other relevant meetings.
  4. To present and communicate complex condition-related information in such a manner as to motivate and inform patients, carers, families and members of the multi-disciplinary team/other professions, agreeing decision-making relevant to patient management.
  5. To communicate effectively with patients with communication problems where difficulties to understanding exist, using observation, listening and empathy
  6. To use good interpersonal skills to listen well and counsel patients and carers, so providing support and empathy without prejudice.
  7. To use negotiation skills to manage conflict as needed across a range of situations.
  8. To deal with initial complaints sensitively and manage patient concerns appropriately.
  9. To convey complex information clearly to patients, carers and other professionals both in verbal and written form
  10. To use clinical skills to generate written reports reflecting specialist knowledge.
  11. To establish and maintain positive interpersonal relationships with other staff which are characterised by open communication, trust and respect
  12. To attend and contribute as appropriate to Locality Meetings, Clinical Forums and Paediatric service meetings and other professional and / or relevant meetings.
  13. Key Relationship

Internal: Speech & Language Therapy colleagues 0-19 Team (Health Visitors and School Nurses) Allied Health Professionals Paediatric medical staff Administrative staffExternal: Education staff Social Services

Budgetary Responsibility
  1. Does not hold budgetary responsibility but is aware of the need to plan non-pay expenditure.
  2. To monitor stock levels in own service area and request new equipment as appropriate.
People Management
  1. To work independently accessing appraisal within an Individual Performance Framework at predetermined intervals ensuring that the objectives set reflect the Service and Trust plans,
  2. To identify personal/professional development evidenced by Personal Development Plan/ Professional Portfolio.
  3. To attend relevant training (courses, meetings, CENs) and development in order to maintain and develop skills and knowledge required of a therapist working in this field. To keep up to date with new techniques and developments for the promotion and maintenance of good speech & language therapy practice in paediatrics and maintain up to date HCPC and RCSLT registration.
  4. To actively participate in reflective clinical supervision with peers / clinical supervisor in order to develop and enhance practice.
Research & Development Activity
  1. To undertake Clinical Governance /audit projects within local service and Language Provision.
  2. To participate in departmental research and clinical governance/audit projects.
  3. To collect and provide research data as required.
  4. To demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence-based practice and outcome measures.
Clinical and Practice Governance
  1. Observe and maintain strict confidentiality with regards to any patient/family/staff/records and information in line with the requirements of the Data Protection Act.
  2. To manage and prioritise a defined caseload and work with an appropriate degree of autonomy and independence.
  3. Any data that is taken/shared as part of a phone call or transported or transferred electronically must be undertaken with regard to the Trust Information Governance and Information Security policies
  4. To share information with others, observing data protection guidelines.
  5. The post holder must adhere to the Trust risk assessment and risk management processes.
  6. The post holder must adhere to infection control policies and procedures.
  7. It is a condition of your employment that you are currently registered with HCPC and RCSLT and it is your responsibility to maintain your professional registration
  8. Undertake mandatory training and any other training relevant to the role as required by Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust.
  9. The post holder must participate in clinical and other audits as required.
  10. Participate in clinical supervision on a regular basis.
  11. The post holder is required to participate in relevant emergency preparedness process for their team.
  12. To be flexible to the demands of the environment including unpredictable work patterns, deadlines and frequent interruptions.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

Essential

  • Qualified speech and language therapist
  • HCPC registered

Desirable

  • posMember of relevant CENt graduate qualification in relevant area
  • Attendance at relevant courses, e.g. language and / or speech disorders.

Experience

Essential

  • Demonstrates a well-established knowledge of a range of clinical disorders, assessments and appropriate therapeutic interventions in specialist field; including management of children with social communication difficulties.
  • Relevant experience as qualified SLT in the specialist field.
  • Evidence of high level of specialist knowledge/skills as a result of experience/CPD

Desirable

  • Experience of carrying out supervision and appraisals.

Skills

Essential

  • Good auditory discrimination skills and ability to transcribe speech phonetically.
  • Awareness of the principles of clinical governance/audit
  • Demonstrates a positive approach to problem solving
Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

Essential

  • Qualified speech and language therapist
  • HCPC registered

Desirable

  • posMember of relevant CENt graduate qualification in relevant area
  • Attendance at relevant courses, e.g. language and / or speech disorders.

Experience

Essential

  • Demonstrates a well-established knowledge of a range of clinical disorders, assessments and appropriate therapeutic interventions in specialist field; including management of children with social communication difficulties.
  • Relevant experience as qualified SLT in the specialist field.
  • Evidence of high level of specialist knowledge/skills as a result of experience/CPD

Desirable

  • Experience of carrying out supervision and appraisals.

Skills

Essential

  • Good auditory discrimination skills and ability to transcribe speech phonetically.
  • Awareness of the principles of clinical governance/audit
  • Demonstrates a positive approach to problem solving

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).

Additional information

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

Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust

Address

Luton

9 Mersey Place, Liverpool Road Health Centre, Luton

Luton

LU1 1HH


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust

Address

Luton

9 Mersey Place, Liverpool Road Health Centre, Luton

Luton

LU1 1HH


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Team Lead for Community Team

Rebecca Lant

rebecca.lant@nhs.net

07983550115

Details

Date posted

29 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum, pro-rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

448-BCHS-7309228-A

Job locations

Luton

9 Mersey Place, Liverpool Road Health Centre, Luton

Luton

LU1 1HH


Supporting documents

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