Speech and Language Therapy Assistant

Job summary

Southend City Council’s SEND Therapies Service has been successfully delivering high-impact support to schools and settings across Southend for the past two years. During this time, the service has become firmly embedded within schools and early years settings, supporting children and young people with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) through innovative universal and targeted approaches.

Our work has gained national recognition, with the service being shortlisted for a CDC National SEND Award in recognition of its impact and contribution to improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

As our service continues to grow, we are seeking aSpeech and Language Therapy Assistantto join our innovative and supportive team. This is an exciting opportunity to become part of a well-established service that values professional development and invests in its workforce. We are proud to currently support two Therapy Assistants who are undertaking apprenticeships to become qualified Speech and Language Therapists, demonstrating our commitment to developing future professionals and would encourage candidates to pursue this opportunity also.

Main duties of the job

Main Duties of the Job

• Deliver high-quality targeted speech, language and communication interventions to groups of children and young people in Southend schools and settings.
• Work collaboratively with Speech and Language Therapists and education staff to identify children for intervention, monitor progress and evaluate outcomes.
• Train school and early years staff to deliver targeted interventions confidently and effectively.
• Contribute to the delivery of universal services, including preventative packages and professional training across schools and settings.
• Maintain accurate, contemporaneous clinical records, collect service data and complete administrative tasks to support effective service delivery.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• A minimum of 5 GCSEs including maths and English
• Relevant training or experience

Experience

Essential

• Knowledge and Qualifications
• Experience of working in educational early years settings
• Ability to demonstrate other relevant training specific to the role, for example ELKLAN, Attention Autism and evidence of continuous professional development.
• Knowledge and experience of delivering a range of therapy or learning support approaches in educational early years settings.
• Knowledge and experience of resources to support children and young peoples SLCN.
• Skills and Experience
• Detailed understanding of and a firm belief in inclusive education and practice.
• The ability to build and maintain positive relationships and a passion and commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people with SLCN.
• The ability to be creative in provision for children and young people with SLCN in the current climate of schools and early years settings.
• The ability to develop effective relationships with a broad range of partners to support the delivery of high-quality support.
• Leads by example and demonstrates skills which motivate and inspire others to achieve.
• Skills in presentation to deliver both formal and informal training.
• Demonstrate advanced skills in prioritisation, communication, and time management.
• Good interpersonal skills which reflect the Values and Behaviours of Southend City Council.
• Able to maintain confidentiality and sensitivity in all circumstances.
• Evidence of commitment to equality and diversity.
• Ability to travel to meet the needs of the post.
• Advanced computer skills.
• Be prepared to undertake relevant courses of study according to the needs of the service and as identified during staff appraisal process.

Closing Date: 15 July 2026