Job summary

We are very excited to be recruiting new Speech and Language Therapy Assistants to join our dynamic and supportive Children and Young People's Speech and Language Therapy service on the beautiful South-West coast in Dorset.

Our team are looking for enthusiastic, creative and dedicated individuals with a passion for working with children. Successful applicants will be a vital part of a well-established team of therapist and therapy assistants who are committed to improving outcomes for children and young people with speech, language and communication needs.

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of.

Main duties of the job

The postholders will provide invaluable support to children and young people in clinics, schools and early years settings. You will be working closely with teachers and teaching assistants, so good communication skills and ability to develop rapport with these key colleagues is essential. You will be involved in delivering speech and language programmes to individual children and groups, developing confidence and skill of education staff, using IT, and creating resources. You will be well supported by Speech and Language Therapists within the team and there will be opportunities to further develop your skills through external and internal training opportunities.

If you are enthusiastic, resourceful, inventive and team-minded, and have experience working with children, we would love to hear from you.

Applications from candidates that require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.

Driving is essential for this role. You will be required to have a full and valid UK driving licence and to travel using own vehicle on Trust business.

About us

At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to create healthier lives, empowered citizens and thriving communities.

Details

Date posted

16 September 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£12,880 to £13,738 a year p.a.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

152-M294.26

Job locations

Poole cluster

Canford Heath Clinic

Poole

BH17 9DW

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that using AI can be a useful and supportive tool when completing your application. However, we have also seen an increase in the over-reliance of AI tools which is negatively impacting applications as they remove candidates individuality, and it becomes much harder to get a sense of who you are and your authentic experience. If you do use AI, it should be used to enhance your application and not to create your supporting statement in its entirety. If we suspect you have used AI to create your supporting statement and this does not match your experience, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do [email protected]

Job description Job responsibilities For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post. We understand that using AI can be a useful and supportive tool when completing your application. However, we have also seen an increase in the over-reliance of AI tools which is negatively impacting applications as they remove candidates individuality, and it becomes much harder to get a sense of who you are and your authentic experience. If you do use AI, it should be used to enhance your application and not to create your supporting statement in its entirety. If we suspect you have used AI to create your supporting statement and this does not match your experience, we may withdraw your application. As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do [email protected]

Person Specification

Job specific experience

Essential

• Has some experience working with either children that are pre-school and school age

Desirable

• Worked with and supported parents or other profesionals

Business travel

Essential

• Has access to a car and can drive

Experience

Essential

• Has some understanding of SLCN and demonstrates this in written application

Desirable

• Worked with children with SEN/ SLCN
• delivered training

Knowledge, skills and training

Essential

• Ability to develop relationships with patients, parents/carers, staff and work within a team.
• Ability to demonstrate clear and legible written communication skills.

Desirable

• Supported parents/careers e.g. nursery or school setting

Person Specification Job specific experience Essential Has some experience working with either children that are pre-school and school age Desirable Worked with and supported parents or other profesionals Business travel Essential Has access to a car and can drive Experience Essential Has some understanding of SLCN and demonstrates this in written application Desirable Worked with children with SEN/ SLCN delivered training Knowledge, skills and training Essential Ability to develop relationships with patients, parents/carers, staff and work within a team. Ability to demonstrate clear and legible written communication skills. Desirable Supported parents/careers e.g. nursery or school setting

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Poole cluster

Canford Heath Clinic

Poole

BH17 9DW

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Poole cluster

Canford Heath Clinic

Poole

BH17 9DW

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)