At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with speech and language needs in schools through various activities.
- Company: Join Surrey County Council's dedicated team supporting children with additional needs.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, extensive training, and lifestyle discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while working in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: 2 years experience with children and familiarity with speech therapy teams required.
- Other info: Agile working options and opportunities for professional development available.
The predicted salary is between 24808 - 26777 £ per year.
The starting salary for this position is £24,808 per annum for 36 hours per week, across 42 weeks of the year, pro-rata to £26,777. The role is term-time, plus an additional 15 days per year.
Your office base will be in Weybridge and we promote agile working. You will work in a patch of mainstream schools in North East Surrey, and also in a specialist school or centre. We are particularly interested in applicants who would like to work in Spelthorne borough.
We are excited to be hiring a new Speech and Language Therapy Assistant to join our fantastic team of Therapists and Assistants in Surrey. The post covers mainstream schools and you will also work in a specialist school or centre.
We are a large and supportive team and can offer you strong line management, peer observations, joint working and a thorough induction and in-house training programme.
Rewards and Benefits
- Flexible working around core school hours with mobile and agile working solutions
- Comprehensive clinical supervision programme, extensive in house training programme and formal external training opportunities
- A mixed and varied caseload across settings and age groups
- Termly themed study days for the whole SALT team
- Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
- An extensive Employee Assistance Programme to support health and wellbeing
- Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
- 2 paid volunteering days per year
- Paternity, adoption and dependants leave
- A generous local government salary related pension
- Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
About the Team
The School-Aged Speech and Language Therapy Service is part of Surrey County Council's support for children with additional needs and disabilities, working collaboratively in the Inclusion and Additional Needs team in Surrey's Children, Families and Learning Directorate with other teams like Educational Psychology and specialist teachers.
We aim to deliver the right support at the right time through assessment and intervention, and equipping families and professionals with the skills and resources to work together to help and support children with Speech, Language and Communication Needs. We offer universal, targeted and specialist support for children, families and the school workforce, and work with children and young people with Education, Health & Care Plans and those at Special Education Needs support.
About the Role
Working under the supervision of a Speech and Language Therapist, your role will be to play a pivotal part in supporting children to achieve the outcomes agreed by a Therapist, in conjunction with the school and family, through a range of activities which will include:
- Working individually with a child or young person within a school
- Modelling strategies to class teachers and teaching assistants
- Working with a small group
- Creating resources for the therapy team
- Giving both verbal and written feedback to school staff and parents
- Keeping accurate written case notes
Shortlisting Criteria
To be considered for shortlisting for this position your CV and answers to the questions below will clearly evidence:
- At least 2 years experience of working with children and young people, either in mainstream or specialist schools and centres
- Experience of working with a speech and language therapy team member
- Evidence of use of IT systems such as Word, Excel, Outlook & Teams
- Evidence of working flexibly and independently
Surrey has both urban and rural areas and Speech and Language Therapy staff will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK, access to a vehicle and be willing to travel to meet the demands of the role. 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.
As part of your application you will be asked to answer the following questions:
- Have you worked in a school with children or young people for at least two years? Please can you tell us more about this experience.
- Have you worked directly with a Speech & Language Therapist or Speech & Language Therapy Assistant, or received training from an SLT Team? Please tell us more about this.
The closing date for this advert is 23:59 on 6th July 2025, although we will be looking at applications as they come in and may shortlist in advance of the closing date. We therefore recommend an early application. Interviews will take place the following week.
An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role.
Local Government Reorganisation
Surrey County Council is preparing for Local Government Reorganisation which will allow us to implement the Government led policy of devolution, which is all about giving more powers to local areas. Currently, Surrey has a two-tier council system, with 11 district and borough councils and a county council, all responsible for different services. All these councils will be reorganised into a smaller number of new unitary councils which will come into effect in April 2027. At this point, this role will be transferred, with all existing terms and conditions intact into one of the new unitary councils.
Speech and Language Therapy Assistant employer: Surrey County Council
Contact Detail:
Surrey County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Speech and Language Therapy Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of children in mainstream and specialist schools. Understanding the challenges they face will help you demonstrate your commitment and readiness to support them effectively during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current Speech and Language Therapy Assistants or Therapists in your area. They can provide valuable insights into the role and may even refer you, which can significantly boost your chances of landing the job.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your flexibility and adaptability in previous roles. Since this position involves working across various settings, highlighting experiences where you've successfully adjusted to different environments will make you a more attractive candidate.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for potential interview questions by reflecting on your past experiences with children and young people. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've supported their development, particularly in relation to speech and language therapy.
We think you need these skills to ace Speech and Language Therapy Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience working with children and young people, especially in mainstream or specialist schools. Emphasise any relevant roles you've had with Speech and Language Therapists or Therapy Assistants.
Answer the Application Questions Thoughtfully: When responding to the application questions, provide detailed examples of your experience. For instance, describe specific situations where you worked with a Speech and Language Therapist and the impact it had on the children you supported.
Showcase Your IT Skills: Since the role requires familiarity with IT systems, mention your proficiency in Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams. Provide examples of how you've used these tools in previous roles to support your work.
Highlight Flexibility and Independence: Demonstrate your ability to work flexibly and independently. Share instances where you adapted to changing circumstances or took initiative in your previous roles, particularly in educational settings.
How to prepare for a job interview at Surrey County Council
✨Showcase Your Experience
Make sure to highlight your two years of experience working with children and young people. Be ready to discuss specific examples of your work in both mainstream and specialist settings, as this will demonstrate your suitability for the role.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Speech and Language Therapy
Brush up on your knowledge of speech and language therapy practices. Be prepared to discuss how you have worked with a Speech and Language Therapist or Assistant in the past, and any strategies you've learned that could be beneficial in the role.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Think about potential scenarios you might encounter in the role, such as working with a child who has specific communication needs. Prepare to discuss how you would approach these situations and support the child effectively.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility and Independence
Since the role requires flexible working and independent travel, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed your time and responsibilities in previous roles. This will show that you're capable of handling the demands of the position.