Speech and Language Therapist (NHS Band 5) - The Vale Federation

Overview

We are seeking to expand our team by appointing two additional Speech & Language Therapists at either Band 5 level, dependent on therapist knowledge, skills and experience.

We are able to offer a high level of support for newly qualified practitioners (NQPs) and would welcome applications from newly qualified therapists or those about to graduate.

The posts will include covering communication needs within the school, and include opportunities for SLTs with dysphagia training and experience, or an interest in developing skills in this area.

Term time only: Yes

Salary Type: Bucks pay/NHS

Salary details: Bucks Pay Range 4, Point 21. Salary: £30,361 per annum. NHS band level 5.

Contract type: Permanent

Hours: 37 hours per week, plus two weeks during school holiday periods

Closing date: 22/06/2025 15:00

Interviews to be held: As suitable candidates apply.

About us

The Vale Federation of Schools incorporates Booker Park Primary Special School and Stocklake Park Secondary Special School, across 2 campuses. Booker Park School currently educates 243 pupils and Stocklake Park School 108 pupils, including a Sixth Form.

Our extensive facilities include a hydrotherapy pool, soft play centre, sensory, swing rooms, rebound trampoline, library audio suite and multiple outdoor activity and learning areas. Based in Aylesbury, our schools are close to the town centre and local train stations, have excellent bus links and free on-site parking at all sites. We are offering the chance to become part of an amazing team with amazing opportunities.

About the role

The Vale Federation Schools comprises a primary and secondary school for pupils with complex special education needs, aged 3-19 years old. We employ a Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) Team consisting of 6.5 full time equivalent therapists, as part of an on-site multi-disciplinary health and therapies service, with established links to local NHS services. Speech and Language Therapists enjoy a generous paid leave allowance, working term-time only plus two weeks during school holidays, providing 11 weeks of paid leave. The roles will include significant opportunities for meaningful direct work with pupils and collaborative work with teaching staff to integrate speech and language therapy recommendations into daily classroom practice. There are opportunities to deliver training for staff and parents on a range of topics, including contributing to an extensive training programme for teachers and TAs which reflects the Vale Federation’s commitment to integrated therapy.

For further information please see attached Job description.

About you

The successful candidate will have the ability to carry out formal and informal assessment and observations of children and young people to create a profile of their speech, language and communication difficulties, and also effectively plan, prepare and deliver assessment and intervention in an integrated model across the Federation, including working in classes and with parents.

Continuing Professional Development is actively encouraged for all SLTs. We have a generous budget dedicated to training and CPD opportunities and regular professional supervision in place for the team.

The department is well resourced with a comprehensive range of assessments, specialist communication and clinical software, and therapy resources and equipment, including a range of specialist AAC equipment. Therapists are provided with their own laptops and are supported by the on-site IT service.

The successful candidate will be required to provide two satisfactory references, undertake preemployment checks including a health check and have a cleared Enhanced Disclosure & Barring check. An online search (including social media checks) will be carried out for all shortlisted candidates as part of our recruitment process.

For further information please see attached Person specification.

Other information

CVs alone will not be accepted.

If you have not been contacted within 3 weeks of the closing date, you must assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent convictions and conditional cautions
  
  • All spent convictions and adult cautions that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020).

For further information on filtering please refer to Nacro guidance and the guidance issued by the Ministry of Justice (see, in particular, the section titled ‘Exceptions Order’).

It is an offence to apply for the role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. All shortlisted applicants will be required to complete self-disclosure form and return prior to interview.