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 a commitment to inclusivity for all applicants.
The predicted salary is between 24808 - 26777 £ per year.
Working hours: 36 hours per week across 42 weeks 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. Your office base will be in Weybridge at our Dakota office, although we promote agile working. 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
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 RoleWorking 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
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.
Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment. For an informal discussion please contact Melissa Sartin via email at melissa.sartin@surreycc.gov.uk.
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. We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.
An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role.
Our CommitmentSurrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applicants where:
- The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
- The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form
Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.
Speech and Language Therapy Assistant (reference: SCC/TP/288102/3331) employer: Surrey County Council
Contact Detail:
Surrey County Council Recruiting Team
melissa.sartin@surreycc.gov.uk
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Speech and Language Therapy Assistant (reference: SCC/TP/288102/3331)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of children with speech and language difficulties. Understanding the challenges they face will help you demonstrate your commitment and suitability for the role during any discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the field of speech and language therapy. Attend local workshops or seminars to connect with current Speech and Language Therapists, as they can provide valuable insights and potentially refer you to opportunities.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience working with children and young people in detail. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've supported their learning and development, especially in a school setting.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Surrey County Council's values and the School-Aged Speech and Language Therapy Service. Aligning your personal values with theirs can make a strong impression and show that you're a good cultural fit for the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Speech and Language Therapy Assistant (reference: SCC/TP/288102/3331)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience working with children and young people, especially in a school setting. Emphasise any relevant roles you've had, particularly those involving speech and language therapy.
Answer the Application Questions Thoughtfully: When responding to the application questions, provide detailed examples of your experience. For instance, describe your work with a Speech & Language Therapist and how it has prepared you for this role.
Showcase Your IT Skills: Since the role requires familiarity with IT systems, mention your proficiency in Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams. Provide specific examples of how you've used these tools in previous roles.
Highlight Flexibility and Independence: Demonstrate your ability to work flexibly and independently. Share instances where you've successfully managed your time or adapted to changing circumstances in a school environment.
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 roles in mainstream or specialist schools, as this will demonstrate your suitability for the position.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Speech and Language Therapy
Brush up on your knowledge of speech and language therapy practices. Understanding the role of a Speech and Language Therapist and how you can support their work will show your commitment and readiness to contribute effectively.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Think about how you would handle various situations that may arise while working with children. Be prepared to discuss strategies you might use to model techniques for teachers and assistants, as well as how you would create resources for therapy.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview. This could include inquiries about the team dynamics, training opportunities, or the types of cases you might encounter. It shows your genuine interest in the role and the organisation.