Specialist Speech & Language Therapist

Job summary
Come and join our supportive and friendly speech and language therapy team in Chichester locality which is on the beautiful West Sussex coast, with easy access to Portsmouth, Brighton, London and the South Downs.

Due to the retirement of the current postholder we are seeking a therapist to join our busy Preschool Complex Needs Team who work within a child development centre and across preschool settings. We are looking for a confident therapist who is ready to build on their previous Band 5 or 6 experience with preschool children with complex needs, especially in the field of autism, and who is eager to make a positive contribution to our hardworking team.

We are offering either a permanent Band 6 position for an experienced therapist, or a Band 5 development position on a two-year fixed-term contract. The Band 5 role will provide the opportunity to develop your skills and experience, with the opportunity to apply for a Band 6 position at the end of the two-year period.

You will be led and supported by our highly experienced and approachable clinical lead who will share with you their passion for delivering clinical excellence. In addition to opportunities for CPD we have a clear supervision structure.

If this sounds like your ideal job please call us!

Main duties of the job
This post includes ring fenced sessions supporting children in a Nursery Specialist Support Centre.

You will be responsible for managing your own caseload, providing assessment, therapy, advice and training as required, you will also have the opportunity to work closely with our Speech and Language Therapy Assistant. An ability to develop strong working relationships with other health and early years education staff is essential.

Please note: Due to recent changes in UK immigration and visa rules, this role may not be eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be considered. Candidates requiring sponsorship should review the eligibility criteria on the gov.uk website before applying to assess their eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role.

Skilled Worker visa: going rates for eligible occupation codes - GOV.UK

Health and Care Worker visa: If you'll need to meet different salary requirements - GOV.UK

About us
We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex, with 6,000 staff serving 1.3 million people. We deliver essential care to adults and children, helping them manage their health, avoid hospital admissions, and reduce hospital stays.

Our Trust vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community. We offer opportunities across medical, clinical, support, and corporate services.

Why work for us?

• Positive 2024 NHS Staff Survey results, highlighting compassionate leadership and wellbeing
• Varied environments: community hospitals, patients' homes, and bases across Sussex
• Flexible working options: part-time, flexi-time, annualised hours, and flexi-retirement
• Excellent training, development, and research opportunities
• Cost-effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove, and Brighton
• Active EMBRACE, Disability & Wellbeing, LGBTQIA+, and Religion & Belief networks
• Level 3 Disability Confident Leader and Veteran Aware Trust
• Beautiful Sussex location near the South Downs and coast

Our values -- Compassionate Care, Working Together, Achieving Ambitions, Delivering Excellence --guide everything we do.

We embrace diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from ethnically diverse, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. We aim to create an inclusive environment and support reasonable adjustments during recruitment.

This post may close early if sufficient applications are received.

Details
Date posted
28 August 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 5
Salary
£32,073 to £48,117 a year
Pro rata Per Annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Part-time,
Flexible working
Reference number
150-DJ2688-PC-C
Job locations
Westhampnett Centre
28-29 Westhampnett Road
Chichester
PO19 7HH
United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
To assess and manage your own caseload of preschool children with speech, language and communication delay and disorder.

To provide advice to other professionals and parents in order to support the needs of children with speech, language and communication delay and disorder.

To liaise with other agencies and services e.g. preschools, social care, and voluntary agencies.

To advise and provide clinical support to other therapists.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Qualification/MRCSL
• HCPC Registration

Desirable

• Membership of RCSLT

Experience
Essential

• Experience of independently managing a clinical caseload
• Working in partnership with parents, teachers and other carers/support workers
• Experience of working within a relevant specialist area and developing specialist packages of care.
• Inter-agency planning, consultation and working
• Experience of a range of caseload management and prioritisation systems

Skills and knowledge
Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills/oral & written communication
• Competent IT skills
• Well established knowledge of assessment tools relevant to client group
• Well established knowledge of a range of therapeutic interventions relevant to client group.
• Good negotiation, problem-solving and organisational skills
• Excellent analytical and reflection skills

Other
Essential

• Car owner/driver or suitable alternative

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name
Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Westhampnett Centre
28-29 Westhampnett Road
Chichester
PO19 7HH
United Kingdom
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Operational Team Lead
Rebecca Stainton-Ellis
View email address on meeveem.com
View phone number on meeveem.com

Supporting documents
Privacy notice
Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)

We are an equal opportunities employer.