At a Glance
- Tasks: Support autistic children with speech and language therapy in a collaborative team environment.
- Company: Swalcliffe Park School is an outstanding institution dedicated to the education and care of autistic young people.
- Benefits: Enjoy 13 weeks paid holiday, NHS comparable pension, and free onsite parking.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while working in a supportive, innovative team.
- Qualifications: Final year students or newly qualified Speech & Language Therapists are encouraged to apply.
- Other info: Join a multidisciplinary team with ongoing training and career development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 24900 - 29900 £ per year.
Are you a Final Year Speech & Language Therapist Student, Graduate, Newly Qualified and/or experienced Band 5 Speech and Language Therapist?
Do you want to work in a beautiful Oxfordshire countryside setting?
Do you want to provide weekly intervention and consistent, regular, and collaborative care to autistic children and young people?
Do you want to work in a highly supportive team where you can learn from Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Clinical Psychologists?
If your answer is yes, then this is the perfect opportunity for you.
Swalcliffe Park School is a non-maintained charitable incorporated organisation specialising in day and residential education and care for autistic young people (aged 10-19 years old). We currently have 74 students on role and have been awarded 'Outstanding' by Ofsted for both Education (2019) and Residential care (2025). The school also has Advanced Level Autism Accreditation and an Enhanced Practitioner Commendation.
We would welcome your application if you are a final year SaLT student, newly qualified therapist, or more experienced Band 5 Speech & Language Therapist who would like to join a school and team where you can truly make a difference to the quality of life of autistic young people.
SALARY: £29,970 - £36,483 per annum DOE (Band 5) Pay Award Pending NHS 2025-2026 + Benefits
LOCATION: Swalcliffe, Nr Banbury, Oxfordshire
JOB TYPE: Full-Time, Permanent, Term Time plus 13 weeks’ paid holiday and LGPS membership comparable to NHS pension
JOB OVERVIEW
Our team of Speech and Language Therapists have a passion for delivering innovative, personalised, and neuro-affirming care to our students. The team is embedded throughout the school, both in education and in the residential setting and specialises in empowering our students to develop their strengths, interests, and abilities. Through the use of neuro-affirmative approaches including encouraging all forms and styles of communication we are able to support our students to develop meaningful and functional ways to communicate their needs, share their interests, develop friendships and self-advocate. We also support our students to develop their verbal and written language skills such as using the Shape Coding System, preparing them for exams, providing vocabulary support and developing reading comprehension.
If you are a newly qualified Speech & Language Therapist or starting out in your career, we can support you to complete your newly qualified competencies and we can provide high levels of support, clinical supervision, and dedicated time for CPD and reflective practice. We have a wealth of knowledge within our therapy team of Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Clinical Psychologists and work very closely together including time for regular learning opportunities such as joint working, team meetings, case discussions and MDT reflective practice.
As a successful Speech & Language Therapist you will:
- Be registered (or pending registration) with HCPC and RCSLT
- Be responsible for a small caseload
- Plan and deliver individualised and person-centred support utilising best practice and neuro-affirming approaches
- Plan and deliver high quality small group interventions e.g. Lego Therapy, Vocabulary groups, Independence/Project
- Assess the speech, language, and communication needs of our students
- Work closely with teaching staff to support language and communication in the classroom
- Work closely with other therapists to provide holistic multi-disciplinary support
- Support functional communication and independence within a range of activities such as going shopping, cooking, using public transport, keeping safe online
What Swalcliffe Park School can offer you:
- Outstanding benefits package including 13 weeks paid holiday, and a pension scheme comparable to the NHS
- Beautiful countryside setting with ample and free onsite parking
- Lunch provided
- Commutable distance from Banbury, Chipping Norton, Stratford Upon Avon, Leamington Spa and surrounding areas
- Working in an 'Outstanding' (2024 & 2025) Ofsted rated school with Advanced Autism accreditation
- Comprehensive induction and ongoing training and career opportunities
- Develop your understanding, knowledge and use of neuro-affirming approaches to support autistic young people
- Access to a wide range of assessment and resources to support clinical work
- Fully integrated working within the school in a well-established therapy service
- Being part of and working closely with a supportive, proactive and forward-thinking multidisciplinary team of Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Clinical Psychologists
- Regular MDT working
- Support to complete your newly qualified competencies, if required
- Dedicated time for CPD, regular onsite clinical and managerial supervision, reflective practice, case discussions and access to relevant CENs
- Weekly team meetings for best practice sharing, peer support and team development
This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be expected to undertake an enhanced disclosure. We are an equal opportunities employer.
NO AGENCIES PLEASE
APPLY TODAY
Speech & Language Therapist / Final Year Students and Newly Qualified employer: Swalcliffe Park School
Contact Detail:
Swalcliffe Park School Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Speech & Language Therapist / Final Year Students and Newly Qualified
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of autistic children and young people. Understanding neuro-affirmative approaches and how they can be applied in therapy will not only enhance your knowledge but also demonstrate your commitment to the role during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former Speech and Language Therapists who have experience in similar settings. They can provide valuable insights into the role and the school environment, which can help you tailor your approach when discussing your suitability for the position.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific interventions you are familiar with, such as Lego Therapy or vocabulary groups. Being able to articulate how you would implement these strategies in practice will show your readiness to contribute effectively from day one.
✨Tip Number 4
Highlight any relevant placements or experiences you’ve had that involved working with multidisciplinary teams. Emphasising your collaborative skills will resonate well with the school's focus on teamwork and integrated care.
We think you need these skills to ace Speech & Language Therapist / Final Year Students and Newly Qualified
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that align with the job description. Emphasise any placements or projects related to speech and language therapy, especially those involving autistic children.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for working with autistic young people. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to provide personalised care and support, and how you can contribute to the team at Swalcliffe Park School.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly state your qualifications, including your HCPC and RCSLT registration status. If you're a final year student, mention your expected graduation date and any relevant coursework or training that prepares you for this role.
Showcase Your Teamwork Skills: Since the role involves working closely with other therapists and teaching staff, provide examples of your teamwork abilities. Discuss any collaborative projects or experiences where you successfully worked as part of a multidisciplinary team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Swalcliffe Park School
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly read the job description and understand the responsibilities of a Speech & Language Therapist. Familiarise yourself with neuro-affirmative approaches and how they apply to supporting autistic young people.
✨Showcase Your Passion
During the interview, express your enthusiasm for working with autistic children and young people. Share any relevant experiences or projects that demonstrate your commitment to making a difference in their lives.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions where you may need to demonstrate how you would handle specific situations involving students. Think about past experiences where you successfully supported individuals with communication needs.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewers about the team dynamics, training opportunities, and the school's approach to therapy. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.