Job Description:

Role Overview

Oxford Natural Healthcare Professionals (ONHP) is seeking experienced Band 7 Speech and Language Therapists to support children and young people with complex communication needs, neurodisabilities, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) difficulties.

These opportunities are suited to specialist therapists who can deliver high-quality, evidence-based assessment and intervention, promote communication and independence, and work collaboratively with families, educators and multidisciplinary teams.

Depending on the service and setting, the role may involve working with babies, toddlers, school-aged children and young people, supporting early communication development, complex needs and participation in education and everyday life.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess and identify speech, language and communication needs, including receptive, expressive and social communication difficulties.
• Develop, deliver and review individualised therapy programmes and measurable therapeutic targets.
• Provide individual and group interventions for children with complex communication needs, developmental differences, neurodisabilities and associated SEND.
• Lead or contribute to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) assessments, implementation and ongoing review.
• Support children with eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties where appropriately trained and competent.
• Coach and advise parents, carers and education staff on strategies to support communication development.
• Work collaboratively with teachers, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Conductive Educators and other multidisciplinary professionals.
• Contribute to initial assessments, therapeutic support plans, Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) targets and reviews.
• Maintain accurate clinical records and prepare reports for families, schools and relevant professionals.
• Support a trauma-informed, relationship-focused approach when working with children with SEMH needs.
• Supervise and mentor junior therapists, students and therapy assistants where required.
• Contribute to staff training, service development and evidence-based clinical practice.

Essential Requirements

• Recognised professional qualification in Speech and Language Therapy.
• Current Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration.
• Membership of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT), or eligibility for membership.
• Significant paediatric experience, ideally involving children with complex communication needs, neurodisabilities or developmental differences.
• Experience of specialist assessment, intervention planning and reviewing clinical outcomes.
• Strong knowledge of child development and the ability to adapt therapy to individual needs.
• Experience or demonstrable competence in AAC and early communication intervention.
• Excellent communication, organisational and report-writing skills.
• Ability to work effectively with families, education professionals and multidisciplinary teams.
• Commitment to safeguarding, inclusive practice and child-centred care.

About Us

Oxford Natural Healthcare Professionals (ONHP) is a trusted provider of clinical talent to the UK's private healthcare sector. We specialise in connecting skilled healthcare professionals with opportunities that match their expertise, experience and professional values.