Senior Speech and Language Therapist for Early Language Support for Every Child

Location: Combination of home and locally based work in Hartlepool

Reporting to: ELSEC Programme Lead

Contract: Full-time (35 hours per week), part-time considered; Fixed term contract until Aug 2027

We are really excited to be working with partners from Hartlepool Council, Integrated Commissioning Board and local NHS Trust to deliver the Early Language Support for Every Child (ELSEC) pilot project. ELSEC is a two-year pathfinder programme being co-led by the DfE and NHS England as one of the reforms being tested in the SEND and Alternative Provision Change Programme. The programme is funding innovative workforce models to identify and support children with speech and language challenges at an early stage. Hartlepool is one of nine local authorities (LAs) taking part in the programme.

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Speech and Language Therapist with demonstrable expertise in supporting children with speech and language challenges and enabling other practitioners to provide effective support. The postholder will:

• Collaborate with the project Specialist teacher to embed any recommended strategies and activities both for individual children and small groups of children in the education environment.
• Support the participating schools and early years settings not only to take on board speech and language therapy strategies, but also to make better connections for supporting the children’s literacy.
• Contribute to the training of the Speech and Language Support Workers by supporting them with strategies for engaging with and getting the best out of education-based work.
• Support a holistic approach, enabling the whole team to develop a broad skill and knowledge base which would not otherwise be possible.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver speech and language interventions, mentoring, and follow-up support within early years and school settings.
• Support identification, assessment, and intervention planning for children aged 2–7.
• Provide clinical supervision and guidance to Speech and Language Assistants.
• Work collaboratively with schools, settings, and families to embed effective communication strategies.
• Deliver training and workforce development to education staff and stakeholders.
• Support transitions for children between educational stages.
• Contribute to data collection, evaluation, and reporting to support the programme’s evidence base.

Qualifications

• Qualified Speech and Language Therapist registered with HCPC and RCSLT.
• Experience working with children aged 2–7 in early years or primary settings.
• Strong assessment and intervention skills for speech, language, and communication needs.
• Experience of multi-agency working.
• Ability to deliver training and support other staff.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage workload independently.

Benefits

• Impactful Work: You will contribute to meaningful projects that support individuals with speech and language challenges.
• Collaborative Environment: Working with passionate and dedicated teams committed to making a difference.
• Professional Growth: Opportunities for personal and professional development within a supportive organization.
• Benefits include a competitive salary, 28 days holiday (pro rata for part time), group pension scheme, life assurance and the opportunity to work in an organisation where every job matters!

Safeguarding

Speech and Language UK is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We carry out appropriate vetting and verifications on all staff. In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education the successful candidate’s employment is subject to an enhanced DBS and barred list check.

Accessibility Support

We are committed to ensuring that our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. If you require any adjustments or need to apply in a different format, please contact our People Team at hr@speechandlanguage.org.uk and we will be happy to assist you. We are a Disability Confident Committed Employer.