Speech and Language Therapy AssistantNHS

Job summary

Due to additional investment in to our Children's Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) service, we would like to offer you a fabulous opportunity to come and join one of our Locality SLT teams as Band 4 SLT Assistants (SLTA).

We are looking for creative and enthusiastic SLTAs to join our well established SLT service, and we have sessions available in our community and schools teams (mainstream and specialist). Our posts are across Hertfordshire including in Hemel Hempstead, Watford and Stevenage.

The SLT service in Hertfordshire is long established, and we have a reputation for being forward thinking and committed to ongoing service improvement. We embrace change and are driven by the evidence base, neuro-affirming approaches and functional, communication friendly practices.

Our service is jointly commissioned by health and education, allowing us to provide a seamless pathway of care from early years through to schools, specialist provisions and further education settings. We have excellent joint working relationships with our partners in education and a wide range of stakeholders, and we work in partnership with them to deliver interventions at Universal, Targeted and Specialist levels across Hertfordshire. This successful working relationship has helped contribute towards us being awarded with new investment.

*Proposed interview date: 22nd October 2026*

** Previous candidates in the last 6 months need not apply**

Interview location: Howard Court, Welwyn Garden City AL7 1BW

Main duties of the job

The successful applicants will assist SLTs in clinics, mainstream & specialist schools. The role involves delivering individual programmes, group working, developing resources, using IT & undertaking some administrative duties. You will have the opportunity to work with teachers, teaching assistants and health visitors, and to work alongside SLTs and other assistants.

Applicants should have knowledge of normal child development alongside experience of working with children, including those with communication difficulties. Experience of working with, and using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is beneficial. We are looking for applicants who are creative, flexible, possessing good organisational and communication skills and with an ability to work on their own initiative.

We are a friendly and supportive service and have an excellent reputation for the support we provide our staff. We offer:

• A thorough induction period where you will have the opportunity to observe and shadow your team
• Access to regular group clinical supervision and line management supervision
• Informal support from a peer/buddy
• Access to a range of professional development learning opportunities e.g. bitesize tutorials
• A well-established appraisal system
• Opportunities to work alongside other therapists/assistants to deliver evidence based episodes of care to children/young people
• Opportunities to develop specialist skills as a link assistant
• Opportunities to develop your career

Job description

Please see Job Description attached, which details the responsibilities within this post.

Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust (HCT) provides integrated Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Services for families across the county. Our service provides opportunities for collaborative working, joint training and shared learning amongst each profession, and we are jointly commissioned by health and education, allowing us to provide a seamless pathway of care from early years through to schools, specialist provisions and further education settings.

You will be joining an innovative and agile service, committed to delivering high quality care and transforming lives and you will work as part of a locality team, meeting the needs of CYP with speech, language and communication needs.

Successful candidates will need to be enthusiastic and motivated. Good communication and organisational skills are essential. You must be a team player but also be able to work autonomously.

If you are keen to be part of our well established, dynamic and friendly team we would love to hear from you. Please also look at our website for information about our service.

Applicants wanting to work full time or part time will be considered. A full valid driving licence and access to a car to use regularly for business purposes is essential (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).

In addition to the basic salary, this post attracts a High Cost Area Supplement of 5% of basic salary subject to a minimum payment of £1,303 and a maximum payment of £2,198 per annum pro rata (pro rata where applicable and dependent on base location).

Whilst it is not a legal requirement, Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust encourages and supports all staff to be vaccinated as this remains the best line of defence against COVID-19.

Word versions of documents are available if needed to allow for any adaptations to be made i.e. font, colour, background, convert to Read Aloud.

The use of AI is monitored and if you have used it then you are required to declare this, as well as what type of AI tools you have used and for what purpose. We reserve the right to further test your individual knowledge and skills in relation to the requirements for the post through robust and thorough interview and assessment.

HCT will prioritise recruitment of workers living in England under the new immigration rules for care workers effective from 9 April 2025. Employers must first prove that they have attempted to recruit a worker from within England who needs new sponsorship. This ensures that those who came to the UK to pursue a career in adult social care can do so.

About us

Thank You for Considering a Role at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust.

We're delighted that you're exploring a career with HCT. As an organisation, we're committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and rewarding work environment.

At HCT, we put patients, their families, and carers at the heart of everything we do. Our vision is simple yet powerful: Outstanding Services and Healthier Communities. Our dedicated staff take pride in being Caring, Inclusive and Pioneering, working together to turn this vision into reality.

Working with us comes with a host of benefits designed to support your wellbeing and work-life balance:

• Generous annual leave(27 days rising to 33 with long service)
• Flexible working arrangements to help balance personal/ professional life, including up to 5 days of carers leave (pro rata)
• Employee Assistance Programmeoffering 24/7 confidential support for personal or work-related issues
• Cycle to Work/Car Lease Schemesto make your commute healthier or easier
• Blue Light Card/NHS Discounts on a wide range of shopping, holidays, and services
• Health and wellbeing support, including free flu jabs, Physiotherapy referrals, eye care vouchers, etc
• Occupational Pension Schemewith competitive benefits
• Enhanced sick pay above statutory entitlements

We don't want you to miss out so we'd like you to know that if we have a high level of interest in this role, the vacancy may close prior to the advertised closing date - Apply now