Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

We have an exciting opportunity for a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join us and help develop the SLT service for deaf children with complex communication needs across West Surrey. This role is covering maternity leave from September 2026 - July 2027.

In this role you will hold a caseload of deaf children within a Specialist Resource Base attached to a mainstream Primary School, a deafness centre within a special school, and deliver a service to preschool deaf and mainstream school children across West Surrey.

We have office bases in Woking and Guildford, and promote an agile working culture (laptop, iPhone, online resources and assessments provided).

Our Offer to You:

• A starting salary of £52,529 per annum (NHS Band 7 equivalent), pro rata to £56,698
• 42-week contract, working across term-time and an additional, flexible 15 days for CPD, project work and supervision activities as well as 10 weeks holiday in non-term time
• Paid RCSLT membership and HCPC fees
• Belonging to a team of students, therapists and assistants led by a Therapies Manager who is an SLT
• Comprehensive clinical supervision programme including a buddy, 1:1 meetings with line manager, extensive in house training programme and formal external training opportunities, access to clinical effectiveness groups, case study groups and enhanced probation support, termly whole-team study days, and encouragement to join and attend CEN's relating to practice
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carers leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependants leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources

About Us

The School-Aged Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) Service is part of Surrey's offer to support the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities of children and young people within mainstream schools and specialist provision. The Service is part of the Early Intervention Prevention and Support Service in Surrey's Children, Families and Lifelong Learning directorate, working collaboratively with other teams such as Educational Psychology, Specialist Teachers, REMA and Behaviour Support.

Our aim is for children and young people with speech, language and communication needs to receive the right support at the right time. We do this through assessment and intervention, equipping families and professionals with the skills and resources to work together to help and support children with SLCN. We work with children and young people with EHCPs (Education, Health and Care Plan) and those at SEN (Special Education Needs) support. The team is also commissioned to support preschool deaf children who meet criteria.

The SLTs in Deafness work in close collaboration with Advisory Teachers of the Deaf and a team of peripatetic Specialist Teaching Assistants, a Deaf Instructor, an Educational Audiologist and BSL Interpreters. We have locally defined specialist competencies in relation to deafness with in-house clinical supervision (now including SLT Assistants), team meetings and shadowing to share knowledge and expertise of working in this field.

About the Role

As one of two Clinical Team Leads in the field of deafness you will hold your own specialist deafness clinical caseload and provide secondary opinions for others in the team. You will have a management role which includes working alongside the other Team Leads to support and develop an enthusiastic and friendly team who work in mainstream, specialist schools, and pre-school.

Your key responsibilities as a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist will include:

• Through a joint up approach with colleagues across Surrey, you will ensure the wider team is informed of current research and evidence base, and that clinical practice is of high quality.
• Providing line management and clinical supervision to members of the West SLT team and SLT/A's specialising in deafness Supporting with second opinions, observation, training and shadowing opportunities for colleagues
• Supporting student placements
• Working with management on the operational and strategic development of services to our schools across Surrey
• Providing advice at educational panels

Your Application

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:

• A BSc (Hons) degree or equivalent in Speech and Language Therapy
• Registered membership of the Health and Care Professions Council
• Registered membership of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• At least 5 years post-graduate experience and advanced knowledge / skills of working with deaf young people including: Additional Postgraduate Training: CSD Working with Deaf People Part 1 and Part 2, British Sign Language Signature Exam Level 1 and 2 (or equivalent)
• Significant post-qualification experience of providing Speech and Language Therapy to deaf children and their families
• Understanding of the English education system including the National Curriculum and SEND code of practice
• Flexibility to adapt both clinical approach and communication style to ensure that assessment, reports, therapy inputs and outcomes are functional and client centred
• Experience of training and positively influencing practice in large staff teams, with experience of line managing and supporting others

To apply, we request that you submit a CV and answer the following 5 questions:

• Are you registered with the HCPC and RCSLT, and have permission to work in the UK?
• Have you been working as a Speech and Language Therapist for at least five years?
• Do you have at least a Level 2 in British Sign Language?
• Please describe your school and pre-school based deafness experience as a Speech and Language Therapist.
• Please describe your experience of supporting members of the Speech and Language Therapy team in deafness.

An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role.

This role is subject to an online / social media check as part of our safer recruitment processes, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance.

Surrey has both urban and rural areas and SLT staff will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK, access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a wide geographical area. Reasonable adjustments where needed will be made for successful applicants who have a disability or long term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 19th July 2026 with interviews planned to follow. Please note, we will be looking at applications as they come in and may shortlist in advance of closing date. We therefore encourage an early application.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.

Our Commitment

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum shortlisting criteria as displayed on the advert, we guarantee you an interview.

Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.