Specialist Speech and Language Therapist | Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
| Posting date: | 06 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | £38,682 - £46,580 per annum pro rata |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 14 March 2026 |
| Location: | Polegate, BN26 6QH |
| Company: | Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 7791251/846-7791251-UJ |
Summary
We have an exciting opportunity for two SLT’s who are passionate about working in the field of AAC. We are growing our team of East Sussex therapists who work in special schools and with pre-school children in the community. Flexible working, part-time hours and job share applications will be considered.
We are an integrated therapies team providing SLT, OT and PT services, working in collaboration with colleagues such asPaediatricians, Teachers and Dieticians.
This full-time vacancy is within East Sussex, but we can be flexible with the clinical base. We have clinical bases inPolegate, Hastings and Crowborough.
This role would helpsomeone develop their skills in the evolving world of AAC. You will both be part of an innovative, cohesive and enthusiastic team of therapists working in the community and local special schools with children aged 0-19 years and their families.
This is an opportunity for therapists either with direct experience of working with children using AAC and knowledge ofcurrent assessment for these, or someone who would like to develop these skills. There is also an opportunity to develop dysphagia skills
We have a strong commitment to training and development with robust supervision and shadowing opportunities across the service.
Please note we are also recruiting a Band 7 role in the same team, see vacancy 846-7794742-UJ
Contact Kathryn Burbidge, Operations Manager on 07766 294763 or kburbidge@nhs.net for an informalconversation.
The successful applicant will:
Carry out high quality assessments for children and young people who have complex needs.
Effectively communicate with children and their families as well as internal and external staff.
Produce high quality detailed reports in a timely manner.
Support the development of clinical care pathways in this specialist clinical area.
Participate in your own reflective practice and on-going learning in the field of AAC
Support staff working in the field of AAC have regular access to effective supervision, training and support to enhancetheir CPD in this area.
Hold responsibility for delegated line management and supervision of band 4 and 5 staff working within the team.
Work alongside the MDT in the local special schools.
Car owner/driver essential, subject to the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act (1995).
Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’ve got a passion for delivering high standards of patient care and excellent services to improve the health of our communities. To do this we need outstanding people who share our values compassionate Aspirational Responsive Excellent
We know a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion leads to better patient care and a happier workforce. We pride ourselves in being diverse and welcome applications from people with varied backgrounds, perspectives and experiences
We ask for information about your protected characteristics on our application forms. This isn’t visible to anyone involved with shortlisting or interviewing you, except when you choose to be considered under the guaranteed interview scheme due to disability. Short listers will see two ticks alongside your application to ensure they apply the principles of the scheme to your submission
The data we collect helps us to ensure we are attracting diversity in our applicants, that all our colleagues have equitable access to career opportunities and supports us on our journey to being a Great Place to Work
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want you to be able to work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you. Talk to us about a flexible working arrangement that won’t involve sacrificing time for personal interests or family commitments. We’ll support you to work flexibly in a way that will suits us both
See where you can go with KCHFT career pathways
Please note: at this stage, the role is open only to colleagues currently employed within Kent and Medway NHS Trusts and the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB). Nursing vacancies are also open to Student Nurses and Newly Qualified Nurses.
Job responsibilities
As a community Trust, many of our roles require individuals to be able to drive to perform their duties. Where driving is a requirement of the role, you will be asked to confirm that you hold a full UK driving licence or a full driving licence issued by an EU country (not exchanged from a non-EU country) to proceed with your application. We are committed to supporting candidates with disabilities into employment. If you are unable to drive due to a disability, please contact the Recruitment Team via kentchft.recruitment@nhs.net, quoting the vacancy reference number, so we can support you further.
The job description and person specification gives you all the information you need about this role. Please look carefully at the criteria in the person specification and tell us what you have done that shows you meet this in your application. If you need an application form in an alternative format please let our recruitment team know. All information you supply on your application should, to the best of your knowledge, be true and accurate.
Still have questions? The recruiting manager would love to hear from you, their contact details can be found in the job advert.
We can get a lot of applications for some roles so to be in with the best chance of being shortlisted please make sure you apply as soon as possible. A vacancy may close early if there is a lot of interest in the job.
At KCHFT we strongly encourage colleagues in clinical and non-clinical roles who have direct or social contact with patients to be fully vaccinated. In this way we will be doing all we can to ensure your safety and that of your colleagues and the patients we serve.
Find out more about the community difference here.
Good luck! We can’t wait to meet you and welcome you to #teamKCHFT, #cometocommunity.
This advert closes on Saturday 28 Feb 2026