At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and deliver high-quality speech and language therapy services in schools.
- Company: Join a dynamic charity focused on transforming children's mental health support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working hours, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with travel across London schools and supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while shaping the future of therapy practitioners.
- Qualifications: Experience in speech and language therapy and a passion for innovative education.
The predicted salary is between 44000 - 50000 £ per year.
Hours: Full year (52 weeks) OR Term-time plus (between 41-44 weeks per year) available. Full-time: 5 days, 37.5 hours + unpaid breaks per week (including clinical days*) OR Part-time available. 12-month fixed-term contract (potential to extend). An equivalent of 2 days per week is allocated to the 'Lead' work. Any additional days would be allocated to clinical delivery and Practice Educator work, with responsibilities as set out within the SaLT JD. This ratio may change over time in line with the growth and needs of the service.
Location: (Hybrid) Travel across London schools as required to deliver services during term-time. London Head Office (SE1 3GN) for team days, meetings, training, staff events etc. Remote working (during school closure periods, non-clinical days/weeks).
Salary: £44,000- £50,000 FTE per annum (dependent on skills and experience, this will be pro-rata to any part-time and term-time working patterns).
Overview: This is an exciting time for our charity! Our new strategy focuses on growth and long-term sustainability, with ambitious plans to extend our reach and impact nationally and to expand and diversify our services. Our long-term ambition for the future is a transformed landscape of multi-disciplinary therapeutic support in schools, with UP acknowledged and recognised as a thought-leader, innovator, preferred collaborator and convener. The children we typically support are those with mild to moderate social communication needs. These are the children that don't meet the criteria for community paediatric and CAMHS services and are often at significant risk of developing mental health and behavioural difficulties later on in life. We also offer EHCP work for more complex cases.
Alongside your school-based clinical and practice educator work across the rest of the week, you will dedicate the equivalent of two days per week to flexibly:
- Oversee the day-to-day operational delivery of a high-quality SaLT service across our partner schools, ensuring services are delivered effectively, in line with school contracts, and responsive to the needs of each setting (supported by UP Hub Managers).
- Liaise with universities and coordinate trainee placement cycles (typically 2-3 per year) that run efficiently, compliantly and to a consistently excellent standard. Trainees are one of UP's key audiences, and we are committed to providing robust, structured, supportive and developmental placement experiences for the leading practitioners of the future.
- You will provide high-quality supervision, modelling opportunities, competency assessment and structured guidance to NQPs throughout their first year of practice.
This role is ideal for a SaLT who enjoys working flexibly and innovatively, combining excellent clinical practice, service coordination, and developing the next generation of SaLTs. You will be motivated by delivering high-quality support for children and contributing directly to our strategic ambitions through your work.
About Unlocking Potential: Unlocking Potential is the charity that supports schools and communities to ensure no child or family struggles alone with their social, emotional and mental health needs. We provide flexible, over-time, multi-disciplinary therapeutic support that meets children and families where they are, and enables them to feel safe, understood and the best version of themselves.
Our Purpose: Everyone feels supported, equipped and able to achieve their potential.
Vision: Everyone feels supported, equipped and able to achieve their potential.
Mission: Our mission is to provide tailored therapeutic support to more children, while training the practitioners of the future to build holistic, resilient social systems that equip children and their families with the confidence, tools, and skills to thrive at school and within their communities.
Values:
- Individual: Everything we do is about the individual and what is right for them - no two children, families or schools are the same.
- Innovative: We look for new solutions, evolving our thinking and approach - ensuring the use of bold, co-designed practice.
- Collaborative: We choose to work with others to find the best solutions - we are stronger together.
SaLT Lead for Service Delivery and SaLT Trainee Programme employer: UP-Unlocking Potential
UP-Unlocking Potential is an exceptional employer that prioritises the professional growth of its staff while making a meaningful impact in the lives of children across London. With a flexible work culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance, employees benefit from ongoing training opportunities and a supportive environment that values collaboration and innovation in therapeutic services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SaLT Lead for Service Delivery and SaLT Trainee Programme
✨Get Involved in Community Events
Join local mental health events, workshops, or awareness campaigns. You’ll not only learn more about the field, but these gatherings are great places to meet professionals already working in therapy or counselling—who knows, they might even have tips for landing a trainee position!
✨Utilise Your University’s Resources
If you’re in uni, don’t forget about career services—they're goldmines for finding trainee placements in therapy and counselling. They might host job fairs or have connections with local organisations that are looking for trainees. Make the most of it!
✨Show Off Your Passion Online
Create a blog or use social media to share your thoughts on therapy techniques, mental health topics, or your learning journey. This makes you more visible to potential employers like UP-Unlocking Potential, showcasing your enthusiasm for the field.
✨Volunteer for Experience
Look for volunteer opportunities at local mental health charities or organisations. Hands-on experience is invaluable and can sometimes lead directly to trainee roles. Plus, it adds weight to your application when you go for positions like SaLT Lead for Service Delivery and SaLT Trainee Programme with UP-Unlocking Potential!
We think you need these skills to ace SaLT Lead for Service Delivery and SaLT Trainee Programme
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Empathy Skills:In therapy and counselling, empathy is key. When crafting your CV and cover letter, show how you've developed this skill through your experiences, whether that’s from volunteer work, personal experiences, or relevant coursework. It’s all about demonstrating that you have the ability to connect with and understand others.
Showcase Relevant Academic Credentials:For a trainee role in therapy and counselling, your educational background matters a lot. Make sure to list your degrees, relevant coursework, and any certifications you have (like a certificate in counselling skills). If you’ve done any projects or placements, mention those too as they show you’re serious about your career path.
Express Your Passion for Learning:As a trainee, showing that you’re keen to learn and grow is crucial. Your cover letter should reflect your motivation for the role at UP-Unlocking Potential and your eagerness to develop your skills further. Talk about how you’re dedicated to evolving in the field and contributing to positive outcomes with clients.
Tailor Your Application to UP-Unlocking Potential:Each place has its vibes and focus areas, so take some time to understand what makes UP-Unlocking Potential unique. In your application, highlight why you resonate with their approach to therapy. This not only personalises your application but also shows that you’ve done your homework – something we can totally appreciate!
How to prepare for a job interview at UP-Unlocking Potential
✨Showcase Your Empathy and Listening Skills
In the therapy and counselling world, empathy is key. During your interview for the trainee position at UP-Unlocking Potential, be ready to share examples that demonstrate how you've effectively listened and responded to others' needs. This could be from your studies or any relevant experiences!
✨Prepare for Role-Play Scenarios
Often, interviews for counselling roles include role-play exercises to assess your practical skills. Be ready to engage in a mock counselling session during the interview. Practising a few common scenarios beforehand will help you feel more comfortable and confident!
✨Passion for Learning is Key
As a trainee, they’re likely looking for someone enthusiastic about developing their skills. Be sure to discuss your motivations for entering the therapy field and how you're keen on learning new techniques, therapies, and therapies. This will show that you're committed to your own growth and client care.
✨Discuss Your Theoretical Knowledge
Even as a trainee, they’ll expect a solid foundation in counselling theories. Brush up on key theories and be prepared to discuss how you might apply them practically. This shows you’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable about the framework guiding your future practice at UP-Unlocking Potential.
