Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Job summary

Do you have a strong interest in Autism and differential diagnosis? Do you want to work with children, young people (CYP) and families? Do you want to be part of a supportive and reflective multi-disciplinary service in Hertfordshire?

Hertfordshire Community Trust has an exciting opportunity for dynamic individuals to support Children and Young People (CYP) who are Neurodivergent and in need of an assessment. We have worked closely with system partners to redesign and transform the diagnostic pathway. The vision in Hertfordshire is to ensure CYP and their families can access early support, advice, and information with access to the diagnostic pathway where clinically needed in a timely manner.

We are looking for 2.0 WTE Band 7 Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapists who bring strong skills and experience in Autism to the Multidisciplinary Assessment Team. The successful candidates will also join our large and innovative team of therapists and assistants working within our community service.

Proposed Interview Date: 24 June 2026

Main duties of the job

You will work closely with theMDT and other agencies to assess CYP in a variety of community settings including clinic, school, and home.

The ideal candidate will:

• maintain a high degree of professionalism when working in settings with a highly emotive atmosphere with multi-disciplinary Teams
• be flexible in their approach and have resilience under pressure
• work both in a team environment and autonomously
• be ADOS-2 trained and/or have experience of Autism Assessment - the Trust is committed to training the right candidate if needed
• demonstrate knowledge of SEND reforms and EHCP planning
• demonstrate knowledge and experience of implementing reasonable adjustments and inclusive practices
• demonstrate Neuroaffirmitive practices

We can offer you:

• regular clinical and professional supervision from within the clinical team
• personal development planning and continuing professional development
• involvement in service development including undertaking clinical audits, project work and service forums
• opportunities to provide clinical supervision and line management where appropriate.

About us

• You'll find the organisation is a great place to work with many benefits offered to you as a member of our staff.
• Recent NHS staff survey results reflect a positive and inclusive working culture at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust, with staff highlighting supportive leadership strong teamwork and a commitment to staff well being and development.
• Our staff are proud to be pioneering, Caring and Inclusive in their work to help achieve the Trust vision
• We put our children, young people , their families and carers at the centre of our vision - Outstanding Services and Healthier Communities
• We welcome diversity in our workforce and are interested in applicants from all backgrounds and ages
• 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, so please make your application as soon as possible - Apply now

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.

Job description

Job responsibilities

These are permanent positions based across Hertfordshire. The successful candidate will be expected to work across locations in East and North Hertfordshire and South and West Hertfordshire to help meet service needs and demands.

For these roles you will need to have a full valid UK driving licence and is essential to have access to a car to use regularly for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010)

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for more specific information about this role.

For further details/informal visits contact:Natalie Brereton, Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist , Autism Assessment Team, Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust, natalie.brereton1@nhs.net, Mob: 07552289461 or Mayuri Dave, Operational Lead for Neurodivergent Children& Sensory Processing Service, mayuridave@nhs.net, Mob: 07721667614.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Education

Essential

• Highly specialist knowledge acquired through degree or equivalent qualifications, further theoretical training and experience to Master's level equivalent relevant to Autism and Autism Assessment
• Recognised Clinical Degree Qualification or equivalent (Post Graduate Diploma or MSc leading to registration with HCPC)
• HCPC Licence to Practice
• Registered member of Professional Body
• Membership of relevant Special Interest Groups

Desirable

• ADOS-2 Trained - Highly Desirable

Experience and Knowledge

Essential

• Experience of working with different professional disciplines and agencies
• Knowledge of current safeguarding procedures
• Evidence of involvement in service policy development in area of specialism
• Experience of clinical supervision to wide range of staff in area of specialism
• High level clinical skills including assessment and diagnosis
• Experience of supervising less experienced staff
• Experience of advising/providing second opinions
• Evidence of in-depth experience in specialist area of autism including active networking with other specialists regionally and nationally
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of national policies and procedures relevant to the specialist client group
• In-depth knowledge of assessment tools relevant to the client group
• Understanding of the principles of clinical governance/audit
• Understanding of the roles of other professionals (relevant to the client group

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Excellent communication skills both oral and written, including the ability to liaise and negotiate
• Ability to communicate and receive complex and sensitive information
• Knowledge of barriers to understanding & ability to explain complex issues simply.
• Ability to establish positive relationships and mutual respect with people at all levels
• Consistently demonstrate highly developed interpersonal skills and empathy with clients, carers and other professionals and agencies particularly where barriers to understanding exist

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Demonstrates ability to be a good team member

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

Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust

Address

Howard Court

14 Tewin Road

Welwyn Garden City

AL7 1BW

United Kingdom

Employer's website

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

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