Speech & Language Therapist - Band 7

Twickenham, South West London | Specialist SEN School | Full-Time | Permanent (Term Time + Additional Working Weeks)

£53,000 - £61,000 | Immediate or September Start

Are you a Band 7 Speech & Language Therapist looking for a senior role where you can truly shape outcomes for children with complex communication and swallowing needs?

Do you have experience supporting pupils with Autism, severe learning needs and complex communication profiles within specialist educational settings?

Would you like to work as part of a highly skilled multidisciplinary team where therapy is fully embedded into the school day?

A highly regarded specialist SEN school in Twickenham is seeking an experienced Band 7 Speech & Language Therapist to join its established clinical team. The school supports children and young people aged 4-19 with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD), Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD), complex communication needs, physical disabilities and associated medical conditions. Many pupils are pre-verbal or minimally verbal and use a range of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems to access learning and express themselves.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced therapist with dysphagia competencies to provide specialist assessment and intervention whilst contributing to the strategic development of the Speech & Language Therapy service.

Key responsibilities include:

• Delivering specialist Speech & Language Therapy assessments for pupils with highly complex communication and swallowing needs.
• Managing a varied caseload including pupils with Autism, SLD, PMLD, complex developmental disorders and physical disabilities.
• Completing dysphagia assessments and implementing safe eating and drinking programmes in line with professional competencies.
• Developing and reviewing individual therapy programmes linked to EHCP outcomes.
• Supporting pupils using AAC systems including communication books, symbols and high-tech communication devices.
• Delivering individual, small-group and classroom-based therapy interventions.
• Advising on language-rich learning environments and communication-friendly classroom strategies.
• Working closely with Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, teachers, nurses and wider professionals to deliver integrated care.
• Providing training and clinical guidance to school staff on communication strategies, AAC, dysphagia management and safe mealtime practices.
• Leading annual EHCP reviews and contributing detailed clinical reports and recommendations.
• Supporting service development, clinical governance and evidence-based practice across the therapy team.
• Supervising junior therapists, therapy assistants and students where appropriate.

The school delivers a highly personalised curriculum where communication is central to every aspect of learning. Therapy is fully integrated into daily classroom practice, enabling pupils to maximise independence, social interaction, functional communication and overall quality of life.

We are looking for someone who:

• Holds a recognised Speech & Language Therapy qualification.
• Is HCPC registered and a member of the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists (RCSLT).
• Has substantial post-qualification experience within specialist SEN schools or paediatric complex needs services.
• Holds recognised dysphagia competencies and is confident managing eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties.
• Has experience supporting children and young people with Autism, SLD, PMLD and complex communication needs.
• Has experience implementing and developing AAC systems.
• Demonstrates excellent clinical reasoning, leadership and multidisciplinary working.
• Is passionate about improving outcomes for children with complex additional needs.

What the school offers:

• £53,000 - £61,000 salary.
• Supportive and highly experienced multidisciplinary therapy team.
• Regular specialist CPD, supervision and leadership development.
• Well-resourced therapy facilities with access to specialist AAC and assessment equipment.
• Opportunities to supervise junior clinicians and contribute to service development.
• A collaborative, child-centred environment where therapy is valued as a core part of every pupil's educational journey.
• The opportunity to make a lasting impact on the communication, independence and wellbeing of children with the most complex needs.

INDEDU