Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic therapy team to support autistic children and enhance their communication skills.
- Company: Renowned specialist educational organisation with over 50 years of expertise in autism support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, pension contributions, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people while advancing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: HCPC-registered Speech and Language Therapist with significant experience and leadership skills.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team and enjoy clear pathways for career progression.
The predicted salary is between 54320 - 64500 £ per year.
We are proud to be recruiting on behalf of a highly regarded specialist educational organisation dedicated to the support and development of autistic children and young people. This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced Speech and Language Therapist to take on a senior clinical leadership position within a dynamic, multidisciplinary team in West London.
You will be joining a well-established specialist school operating across two sites in the Acton and Southall areas of West London, serving young people aged 4.5 to 22 years. With over 50 years of expertise in providing holistic, personalised education for autistic pupils, the school holds an outstanding reputation and operates a large, collaborative therapy team of 8–9 therapists across its two sites. For an SLT who is passionate about neuro-affirming practice, leadership, and making a meaningful difference, this is a genuinely exciting role.
About the Role
As Principal Speech and Language Therapist, you will hold senior accountability for therapy outcomes across the school, working closely with the Head of Therapy and the Senior Leadership Team to drive quality, innovation and continuous improvement. The role is at the heart of embedding therapy into everyday classroom life, ensuring every pupil receives the tailored, communication-accessible support they need.
You will lead and manage the school-based therapy team, provide clinical supervision, oversee EHCP-aligned intervention planning, and contribute to curriculum design and whole-school strategic development. The role also offers clear pathways for career progression into wider NAS network leadership, research and policy roles.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the school-based therapy team, providing clinical leadership, supervision and performance oversight
- Develop, implement and quality-assure evidence-based, neuro-affirming therapeutic practice across the school
- Embed outcome-focused interventions into everyday school practice, routines and curriculum delivery
- Work in close partnership with families to strengthen parental engagement and support positive change across the family system
- Collaborate with education staff, multidisciplinary colleagues and external professionals to deliver integrated, joined-up provision
- Contribute to the design, delivery and review of curriculum content to ensure it is communication-accessible and therapeutically informed
- Drive service development using data, outcomes and feedback to continuously improve practice
- Contribute to local and national projects, research activity and service innovation
- Act as a senior leader within the school, contributing to strategic planning, decision-making and whole-school improvement
- Maintain own HCPC and RCSLT registration and ensure colleagues maintain registration with relevant professional bodies
What We Are Looking For
Essential
- HCPC-registered and RCSLT-member Speech and Language Therapist with significant post-qualification experience (minimum 6 years)
- Senior leadership or management experience within a school-based or specialist therapy setting — autism-specific experience highly desirable
- Proven experience delivering clinical supervision
- Strong commitment to evidence-based, neuro-affirming and strengths-based practice
- Understanding of therapeutic curriculum development and quality assurance in independent special schools
- Excellent communication, project management and strategic planning skills
- Makaton trained
Desirable
- Experience working across paediatric and early adulthood settings
- AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) specific experience
- Track record of developing and managing partnerships with external stakeholders
Why This Role Stands Out
- Inner London salary band: £54,320 – £64,500 per annum
- Term-time contract with full pay during school holidays — approximately 12 weeks paid leave per year
- Join an established team of 8–9 therapists within a school with over 50 years of specialist autism expertise
- Clear career progression pathways into Head of Therapy, regional leadership, research and national policy roles
- Comprehensive benefits package including pension, Simply Health cash plan, Life Assurance (2x base salary), 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, Headspace app and retail discounts
- Employer pension contribution of 6% of gross salary (employee minimum 4%)
- Funding and time off available towards further qualifications; specialist CPD and online learning academy
- Relocation support considered for the right candidate
- Dual-site role across two West London locations — candidates should be comfortable with travel between sites
- Meaningful, values-driven work within a nationally recognised, outstanding-rated specialist school
Principal Speech & Language Therapist in London employer: RGH-Global | People Services
Contact Detail:
RGH-Global | People Services Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Speech & Language Therapist in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the speech and language therapy field, especially those who work in educational settings. They might have insider info on job openings or can even put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to leadership and therapy outcomes. We recommend role-playing with a friend or colleague to boost your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for neuro-affirming practices during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've implemented these approaches in your previous roles to demonstrate your commitment to making a difference.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Speech & Language Therapist in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for supporting autistic children shine through. We want to see how your values align with our mission and how you can make a meaningful difference in their lives.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Principal Speech & Language Therapist. Highlight your relevant experience, especially in neuro-affirming practices and leadership roles, so we can see how you fit into our dynamic team.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to describe your skills and experiences, making it easy for us to understand your qualifications and what you bring to the table.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at RGH-Global | People Services
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest evidence-based practices in speech and language therapy, especially those that are neuro-affirming. Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of autistic children and young people, as well as the curriculum design that supports their learning.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of your previous leadership experiences, particularly in managing therapy teams or working within multidisciplinary settings. Be ready to discuss how you've driven quality and innovation in your past roles, as this will be key for the Principal position.
✨Engage with the Team
Since collaboration is crucial in this role, think about how you can demonstrate your ability to work closely with families, education staff, and external professionals. Prepare to share instances where you've successfully built partnerships and engaged stakeholders in therapeutic practices.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t shy away from asking insightful questions about the school’s approach to therapy and how they measure success. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand if it’s the right fit for you.