Speech and Language Therapist (Band 5 or 6)

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS ROLES DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF SPONSORSHIP

Exceptional People Deserve Exceptional Staff

About Shaftesbury Statement

Shaftesbury is a disability charity offering care, education, vocational and rehab services. The charity also provides residential care, nursing and supported living.

Within the education sector, Shaftesbury has one school, Shaftesbury Victoria School, and 2 further education colleges, Shaftesbury Millie College and Shaftesbury Nash College. The school is for students aged 3-19, and the colleges are for students aged 16-25. All students have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), as well as physical and/or intellectual disabilities, and some have profound and complex learning needs.

About the Role

We are looking for a skilled, enthusiastic and motivated Speech and Language Therapist with an interest or existing specialism in Paediatrics/Young adults.

Shaftesbury Millie College is a post 16-25 education setting helping young people with a range of learning and physical disabilities in Dorset and the local area, bridging the gap between education and employment.

The college’s curriculum is directly aligned to its natural environment and the vocational activities that operate there, including animal care, catering and retail, conservation and horticulture.

Students are supported with personalised learning programmes which build confidence and independence, underpinned by a focus on wellbeing. We also cater for a number of students with Autistic Spectrum condition, PMLD, SEMH. We are a fully inclusive and integrated school that inspires and creates a wonderfully calm and nurturing environment.

You will be responsible for Delivering Speech and Language Therapy assessments and interventions to young people with a variety of developmental disorders. Working 1:1 or 2:1 with a student as well as working in a group over communal activities, supporting educational and therapeutic programs as needed, developing a Total Communication environment, providing training for staff and managing your own caseload. You will work closely with families and other professionals to provide an excellent quality of care and to act as a source of information, support and advice.

Ideally you will have experience of working with young people either in a special school or within paediatric speech and language therapy setting alongside post graduate qualifications in Dysphagia.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a friendly and dedicated multi-disciplinary team to ensure students’ speech and language needs are met during the college day. It will involve participating in class-based activities across our enterprise sessions to promote students’ independence.

The successful candidate will understand the importance of providing high quality and promoting independence. You will have strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to act calmly and respond in a professional manner in occasionally challenging situations. Able to work under your own initiative, you will use supervision and support systems for effective service delivery. An awareness of safeguarding and relevant policies, procedures and legislation is required.

Key Responsibilities

• To promote integration of Speech and Language Therapist treatment plans/programmes into education through example and staff training.
• To demonstrate and uphold exemplary clinical practice at all times, in own clinical caseload, including contemporaneous and accurate record keeping; maintaining awareness of HCPC guidelines.
• To monitor student progress and recognise when to discuss any changes with the MDT Team.
• To carry out assessments using various treatment skills to support students. This may include:
• Working with the ACE Centre alongside the assessment and use of VOCAs;
• Understanding of the use of sign and Makaton/Singalong
• Understanding the use of language skill development;
• To plan and implement interventions, using various treatment skills, monitor progress and evaluate outcomes.
• To encourage students and other staff members in an active approach to developing communication and language. This requires empathy, sensitivity and excellent interpersonal skills.
• To deliver assessment and report on student development for annual reviews
• To carry out a therapeutic programme of work alone and without direct supervision.

Essential Skills & Qualifications

• Qualification as a Speech and Language Therapist.
• Practical experience working within an educational environment.
• Experience building positive relationships with children and young people.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team to provide training for staff and families.

Why Join Us?

• If you are passionate about working with young people, able to use an integrated therapy and education approach; Make a meaningful impact on the wellbeing of students, and their ability to access education and the wider community.
• To work alongside a dedicated, passionate team in a supportive, inclusive environment.
• In return you will join a supportive, friendly and experienced team and an organisation with strong core values and a commitment to professional development, including in-service training and opportunities to gain further qualifications. Term time working, providing a work-home balance.
• One-of-a-kind work environment, set on a 350-acre countryside site near Poole.

Safeguarding

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Shaftesbury Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and staff. It is the responsibility of all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All posts are subject to an enhanced DBS check and will follow our rigorous safer recruitment processes.

Equality and Diversity

Shaftesbury is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

Shaftesbury aims to create and sustain an inclusive work environment which provides equality of opportunity for everyone and reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. The post holder will be required to uphold the Equality and Diversity Policy and comply with the code of conduct which sets out our standards of behaviour towards those who use our services or work within them.

Application Process

Job description and application form available on request – please contact Cenan Chappell, [email removed]

Please provide a covering letter with your application.

Closing date: 1/12/26 or before

Interview Dates: TBC

Early applications are strongly encouraged, and we reserve the right to close the advert should we feel able to appoint an appropriate candidate before the above dates.

Visits to the setting are welcomed, and encouraged, by arrangement.