London Borough Of Merton

Speech and Language Therapist

The closing date is 23 May 2025

Job summary

Were Growing Come Grow With Us!

Are you a newly qualified speech and language therapist looking to start your career in a supportive, encouraging environment? Or perhaps youre an early-career Band 5 looking to build your confidence and gain varied experience with a friendly, knowledgeable team?

Were offering exciting full-time (or part time) Band 5 opportunities across our mainstream primary and secondary schools. Youll be part of a dynamic, multidisciplinary team committed to inclusive education and high-quality outcomes for children and young people.

Main duties of the job

Our team works as part of the Local Authority in the London Borough of Merton, delivering statutory and targeted speech and language therapy support to children and Young People (CYP) attending Merton Schools.

We work collaboratively with education staff, occupational therapists, educational psychologists, and SEN professionalscreating a rich, supportive environment for learning and professional growth.

About us

Working Arrangements

The team is based at the Civic Centre in Morden with flexible working supported through strong IT systems. We cover public transport or mileage between schools and reimburse professional fees for HCPC and RCSLT membership.

Cultural Diversity Network

Our team is proud to have established aCultural Diversity Networkthat actively supports, embraces, and celebrates the diverse cultural backgrounds of our therapists. This network provides a safe, inclusive space for open dialogue, where team members can share challenges, they encounter in their roles and discuss best practices for managing them. We believe that fostering a culture of respect and understanding enriches our work and helps us provide the best possible support CYP we work with. Joining our team means becoming part of a supportive community that values diversity and is committed to continuous learning and growth.

Join Us!

If you're looking for a friendly, forward-thinking team where your voice is heard and your development is prioritized, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now or get in touch for an informal conversation about the roles.

Date posted

12 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£37,068 to £38,058 a year Essential Car Allowance of £963 per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working

Reference number

F0019-2783

Job locations

Civic Centre

London Road

Morden

SM4 5DX

Job description

Job responsibilities

MAIN PURPOSE

To assess, diagnose and provide specialist speech and language therapy intervention for children and young people in mainstream schools across Merton.

This role supports Mertons strategic goals for inclusive education and improved outcomes for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Assess, diagnose, and deliver interventions for pupils with a range of speech, language and communication needs (SLCN), including: Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Social communication difficulties, Speech and voice disorders, Selective mutism, SLCN related to hearing impairment and global developmental delay.

Deliver support through: Class/pupil observation, Individual assessment and reporting, Advice and programme planning for school staff, Modelling best practice and classroom strategies, Training for teaching assistants and other education professionals, Supporting SENCOs with inclusive provision planning.

Provide clear, compassionate communication with parents and carers about therapy plans and outcomes.

Maintain accurate, professional clinical records.

Prepare tailored resources for use in therapy and school-based support.

Contribute to capacity building in schools by supporting inclusive practices.

Work collaboratively with other professionals (e.g. Educational Psychologists, OTs, Specialist Teachers).

Participate in service planning and contribute to the delivery of Mertons SEN & Inclusion strategy.

GENERAL

To support specific service development priorities in line with the SEN & Inclusion Strategy.

To deliver speech and language services within the parameters and desired outcomes for the Council.

To work in partnership with the Team Managers for the purpose of service development and to be part of a workforce committed to raising attainment for pupils in Merton schools through inclusive education.

To undertake all duties and interactions with colleagues, partner providers and customers fairly, without unlawful discrimination and with due regard to the Councils Diversity and Equality in Employment and Service Delivery policies.

To carry out duties and responsibilities in accordance with the Councils Core Values, Equal Opportunities Policy, Health and Safety Policy and all other borough and departmental policies and procedures, in particular the non-smoking policy and confidentiality in line with the Data Protection Act.

To maintain a working environment in which diversity is respected and responded to and equality of opportunity is promoted.

To ensure complaints are responded to in accordance with the Customer Complaints Procedure.

To use computers and other ICT in the normal performance of the duties of the post. To report robust information relating to the relevant performance indicators and any other relevant targets in accordance with the Councils Data Quality Strategy and to work proactively with the Language and Learning Support Team Manager to improve data quality where issues around timeliness or robustness of data have been identified.

To be a full member of the team and work in collaboration with all other agencies to ensure co-ordination of services and best use of resources.

To brief the Team Managers on all matters which are likely to be subject to publicity whether positive or negative.

To contribute to the development of effective teamwork participating in established communication systems, team training and regular team meetings.

To act under the supervision of Merton S&LT Team within SENDIS.

To maintain professional memberships: Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists Registration and Certification by Health Professionals Council (HPC)

To keep up to date with new developments in appropriate fields, attend training and supervision sessions and contribute to workshops, seminars and conferences.

To work flexibly and to undertake any other duties commensurate with the post as required by the Team Managers.

SUPPORT AND DEVELOPMENT

Regular supervision (individual and peer).

Clinical support from team leads in Autism, SEMH, DLD, and Complex Needs.

Funded and internal CPD opportunities.

Encouragement to join relevant Clinical Excellence Networks (CENs).

Opportunities to supervise students and contribute to student placements.

Flexible working arrangements including support for admin time at home.

FUNCTIONAL LINKS

Childrens Centres, Schools & Settings

Operational Staff

Parents/Carers

CSF Teams

Voluntary Sector

Statutory Agencies

Health Services

WHAT WERE LOOKING FOR:

Recognised qualification in Speech and Language Therapy.

HCPC registration.

(Encouraged) RCSLT membership.

Understanding of inclusive practice and safeguarding.

Excellent communication, organisation and time management skills.

Ability to work collaboratively across teams and disciplines.

Willingness and ability to travel within the borough.

Desirable:

Experience working in schools (mainstream or special).

Experience with a variety of SLCN including ASD and DLD.

Experience training or supporting school staff.

Experience liaising with parents/carers.

Experience working in a multi-disciplinary setting.