At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide speech and language therapy to children with diverse needs in various educational settings.
- Company: Join a supportive team at Surrey County Council, dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, generous holidays, and extensive training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while developing your specialist skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in Speech and Language Therapy and 2+ years of experience required.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with excellent career growth and support for continuous learning.
The predicted salary is between 35800 - 38800 Β£ per year.
This role has a competitive starting salary of 41,955 - 45,244 for five days a week across 42 weeks of the year, based on a 36 hour working week. Part time opportunities are also available.
Are you an enthusiastic Speech and Language Therapist with over two years' experience who would like to develop more specialist skills in an area you have been developing in? We can offer an exciting opportunity to join our skilled, supportive, and solution-focused team based in Woking. We have opportunities to work with children with severe learning difficulties, complex social communication difficulties, developmental language disorder in a mix of specialist and mainstream settings.
Our Offer to You
- 42-week contract, working across term-time and an additional, flexible 15 days for CPD, project work and supervision activities as well as 10 weeks holiday in non-term time.
- Belonging to a team of students, therapists and assistants led by a Therapies Manager who is an SLT.
- Comprehensive clinical supervision programme including a buddy, 1:1 meetings with line manager, extensive in house training programme and formal external training opportunities, access to clinical effectiveness groups, case study groups and enhanced probation support, termly whole-team study days, encouragement to join and attend CEN's relating to practice.
- Opportunities to develop management skills by taking on line management of assistants or experienced autonomous therapists (NQPs who have completed competencies) and taking students. Training and support is provided.
- Paid RCSLT membership and HCPC fees.
- An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing.
- Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year.
- Paternity, adoption and dependants leave.
- A generous local government salary related pension.
- Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more.
- 2 paid volunteering days per year.
- Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources.
About the Role
The Speech and Language Therapy Service is part of Surrey County Council's local offer to support the special educational needs and disabilities of children and young people within mainstream schools and specialist provision. This Service is part of the Early Intervention, Prevention and support Service in Surrey's Children, Families and Lifelong Learning Directorate, and works collaboratively with other teams such as Educational Psychology, Specialist Teachers and SEN teams.
The Surrey SLT service is a large team (over 150) of both qualified Therapists and non-qualified Therapy Assistants. We have excellent supervision and CPD models plus a rolling in-house training programme; we are committed to continuous learning and development. We champion our team and one of our Therapists was voted Peopleβs Choice in the Surrey Stars Awards, receiving over 500 votes showing just how well the service is regarded in the organisation!
We are a forward thinking service and were involved with the RCSLT and Reading University around the dysphagia competences linked to student placements. We aim to deliver the right support at the right time, through assessment and intervention; equipping families and professionals with the skills and resources to work together to support children with SLCN. We offer universal, targeted and specialist support for children, families, and the school workforce; working with children and young people with EHCPs and those at SEN support following Surrey's Graduated Response. We also have a specialist dysphagia service and specialist deaf service.
Your main duties in the role of Speech and Language Therapist will include:
- Clinical decision making in conjunction with school / college staff around the level of support needed to achieve the best possible outcome for the children and young people on your defined caseload.
- Working with Speech and Language Therapy Assistants, setting targets for the children and young people they are supporting, and monitoring of the delivery and outcomes of their work.
- Assessment, advice and intervention for children with a range of speech, language and communication needs within your caseload.
- For children and young people on your caseload who are considered to have complex needs and where a joint multidisciplinary approach is essential to achieving the best outcome for these children and young people, you will be supported by your clinical team leader.
- Supporting junior members of the team, line managing others and taking on students.
- Contributing to and delivering training for schools and others in the team.
Your Application
In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:
- A degree in Speech and Language Therapy with a minimum of 2 years' experience working as an SLT with completed NQP competencies.
- Registered with the HCPC and RCSLT, and eligible to work in the UK.
- Working knowledge of the English education system including the National Curriculum and SEND code of practice.
- Experience of supporting and training others including newly qualified therapists, assistants, students and work experience placements.
- Evidence of a range of evidence based interventions used to support children and young people.
Surrey has both urban and rural areas and candidates will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK, access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a wide geographical area. 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.
To apply, we request that you submit a CV and you will be asked the following 4 questions:
- Are you registered with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)?
- Do you have a minimum of two years' experience working as a Speech and Language Therapist with completed NQP competencies? Please answer 'yes' or 'no' as appropriate. If you answer 'no' please provide further details.
- Do you have working knowledge of the English education system including the National Curriculum and SEND code of practice? Please tell us more about this including how have you have gained this knowledge.
- Please briefly describe a speech and language strategy or approach that you have supported staff or children to successfully use in the classroom. How did you measure its success?
The closing date for this advert is 23:59 Sunday 15th February 2026 although we will be looking at applications as they come in and may interview candidates in advance of the closing date, therefore we encourage an early application.
We are a friendly team of dedicated professionals who are passionate about the work we do. If you feel like this could be the place to kick start your or further develop your therapy skills and knowledge, please do get in touch. We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.
When your employment begins, you will need to be a member of the RCSLT and HCPC. 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 (LGR)
Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.
Specialist Speech and Language Therapist employer: Surrey County Council
Contact Detail:
Surrey County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
β¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the speech and language therapy field. Attend local events or online webinars to meet potential employers and fellow therapists. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
β¨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio showcasing your work, including case studies and successful interventions. This will help you stand out during interviews and give employers a glimpse of what you can bring to their team.
β¨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your responses. Focus on articulating your experience and how it aligns with the role. Confidence is key when landing that dream job!
β¨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We make it easy for you to submit your application and get noticed. Donβt forget to tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and enthusiasm for the role. Letβs get you that job!
We think you need these skills to ace Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
Some tips for your application π«‘
Show Off Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your two years of experience as a Speech and Language Therapist. We want to see how you've developed your skills and what specific areas you've worked in, especially if they align with the role!
Be Clear and Concise: When answering the application questions, keep your responses clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward answers that directly address the questions, so donβt be afraid to get straight to the good stuff!
Demonstrate Your Knowledge: Show us you know your stuff about the English education system and SEND code of practice. Share examples of how you've applied this knowledge in your work, as itβll really help your application stand out!
Apply Early!: Donβt wait until the last minute to submit your application. Weβre reviewing applications as they come in, so getting yours in early could give you an edge. Head over to our website and hit that apply button!
How to prepare for a job interview at Surrey County Council
β¨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of speech and language therapy, especially the latest evidence-based interventions. Be ready to discuss specific strategies you've used in the classroom and how they've benefited children with SLCN.
β¨Show Your Passion
Let your enthusiasm for working with children and young people shine through. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to making a difference in their lives. This role is all about support and development, so show them you're all in!
β¨Prepare for Teamwork Questions
Since you'll be working closely with other professionals, be prepared to discuss your experience in multidisciplinary teams. Think of examples where you've collaborated effectively with teachers, assistants, or other therapists to achieve the best outcomes for your caseload.
β¨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, donβt forget to ask questions! Inquire about the team dynamics, training opportunities, or how they measure success in their interventions. This shows you're genuinely interested in the role and eager to contribute to their mission.