Job Description

This is a 2 year 8a Highly Specialist role to lead the delivery of Speech and language therapy provision to children with an EHCP from Central Bedfordshire Local authority working across Central Bedfordshire mainstream and special school settings including some out of borough schools.



You will have delegated responsibility for the coordination, clinical management, and quality assurance of SLT provision specified in EHCPs, ensuring that interventions are evidence-based, effective, and meet statutory requirements. Providing highly specialist assessment, intervention, and advice for children referred to the service or following Tribunal outcomes, including participation in annual reviews.



Please note that should we receive a high number of applications, we reserve the right to close the advert ater the 24th October



The ability to work flexibly and travel independently across Central Bedfordshire and neighbouring areas is essential.



Lead and coordinate the delivery of Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) provision for children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) across mainstream, special, and out-of-borough school settings.

Provide highly specialist assessment, diagnosis, intervention, and advice for children referred to the service or following Tribunal decisions, including contributing to annual reviews.

Work collaboratively with the Central Bedfordshire EHCP team to undertake assessments, compile reports, and contribute to the EHCP process, including appeals and tribunals.

Act as a liaison therapist for parents and carers, ensuring clear and compassionate communication throughout the EHCP and appeal process.

Represent the service at hearings and tribunals, presenting clinical findings and professional advice based on robust evidence.

Provide clinical leadership, supervision, and guidance to colleagues, supporting consistency and quality in EHCP-related work across the SLT service.

Promote evidence-based, outcome-focused practice, ensuring interventions meet professional and statutory standards.

Contribute to service development, resource creation, and the implementation of best practice in SEND and tribunal-related work.

Ensure professional compliance with safeguarding, SEND legislation, and other relevant statutory frameworks.



Rated 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission, we are proud to provide high quality innovative services across most of the east of England that enable people to receive care closer to home and live healthier lives.



There's one reason why our services are outstanding - and that's our amazing staff who, for the seventh year running, rated us incredibly highly in the national staff survey.



If you share our passion for innovative and high-quality care delivery, then please submit your application and join us on our exciting journey as a leading-edge specialist community provider. All are welcome to apply and our promise to you is a culture which prioritises staff engagement and development.



Undertake highly specialist SLT assessments, diagnosis, and recommendations to inform EHCPs and contribute to annual reviews, appeals, and tribunals.

Attend multi-agency meetings with parents, carers, schools, legal representatives, and the Local Authority to discuss assessment outcomes and recommendations.

Review existing SLT provision and provide a clear rationale for current or revised recommendations, ensuring alignment with identified needs.

Deliver direct therapy and specialist advice to children and young people across a range of communication disorders and settings.

Coordinate and respond to requests from the Local Authority's SEN teams, supporting consistency and timeliness in EHCP-related work.

Develop and deliver training to parents, education staff, and other professionals to build capacity for supporting speech, language, and communication needs.

Provide supervision, mentorship, and appraisal for SLT staff and students, including supporting newly qualified and recently graduated therapists.

Support the induction of new staff and contribute to professional development across the team.

Provide and seek second opinions where required, and make referrals to other specialist services in Health, Education, or Social Care as appropriate.

Participate in clinical governance, service evaluation, and audit activities to ensure quality and continuous improvement within the service.

Travel across the locality and to out-of-borough schools, including one day per week based at a special school in Hertfordshire, ensuring flexible and effective service delivery.