Speech and Language Therapy Team Lead

The starting salary for this position is 52,529 - 56,388 per annum, inclusive of market supplement (NHS Band 7 equivalent) for working 36 hours per week, across 42 weeks of the year, pro-rata to 56,698 - 60,864.

The Surrey Schools Speech and Language Therapy Team have an exciting new opportunity for a Speech and Language Therapy Clinical Team Lead to join our fantastic team in the North West of Surrey, working in mainstream schools and supporting our Experts At Hand offer.

Our offer to you

• 42-week contract, working across term-time and an additional, flexible 15 days for CPD, project work and supervision activities as well as 10 weeks holiday in non-term time
• Paid RCSLT membership and HCPC fees
• Belonging to a team of students, therapists and assistants led by a Therapies Manager who is an SLT
• Comprehensive clinical supervision programme including a buddy, 1:1 meetings with line manager, extensive in house training programme and formal external training opportunities, access to clinical effectiveness groups, case study groups and enhanced probation support, termly whole-team study days, and encouragement to join and attend CEN's relating to practice
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carers leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependants leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources

About Us

The School-Aged Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) Service is part of Surrey's offer to support the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities of children and young people within mainstream schools and specialist provision. The Service is part of the Early Intervention and Prevention Team in Surrey's Children, Families and Lifelong Learning directorate, working collaboratively with other teams such as Educational Psychology, Specialist Teachers, REMA and Behaviour Support.

We are a large team (over 180) of both qualified Therapists and non-qualified Therapy Assistants, with excellent supervision and CPD models. We currently work across the four geographical quadrants of Surrey, each managed by a Quadrant Lead. The teams in each quadrant are made up of Therapists and Assistants. There are a team of Highly Specialist / Clinical Team Leads in each geographical area who work together to support the team and support service development.

Our aim is for children and young people with speech, language and communication needs to receive the right support at the right time. We do this through assessment and intervention, equipping families and professionals with the skills and resources to work together to help and support children with SLCN. We work with children and young people with EHCPs (Education, Health and Care Plan) and those at SEN (Special Education Needs) support.

About the Role

As a Highly Specialist SLT / Clinical Team Lead you will hold your own clinical caseload in mainstream schools in the North West of Surrey, as well as providing secondary opinions for others in the team. You will have a management role in the West SLT Team which includes working alongside the other Team Leads to support and develop our enthusiastic and friendly team who work in mainstream and specialist schools.

Through a joined up approach with colleagues across Surrey, you will ensure the wider team is informed of current research and evidence base, and that clinical practice is of high quality. In your role you will provide clinical supervision and line management to members of the SLT Team and support with second opinions, observation, training and shadowing opportunities for colleagues.

In addition, you will also:

• Support student placements
• Work with management on the operational and strategic development of services to our schools across Surrey
• Provide advice at educational panels

Your Application

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:

• A BSc (Hons) degree or equivalent in Speech and Language Therapy and registered membership of the HCPC and RCSLT
• At least five years post graduate experience, and specific experience of working within schools
• A working knowledge of the English education system including the National Curriculum and SEND code of practice
• Experience of line managing and supporting others including newly qualified therapists, assistants, students and work experience placements
• Experience of working within an effective multidisciplinary team
• Experience of training and positively influencing practice in large staff teams
• A continuing commitment to learning and development of self, and others, with regard to evidence base and research
• Evidence of strong organisation and prioritisation skills
• Evidence of building and establishing relationships with families and education providers, with the ability to manage complex situations

Surrey has both urban and rural areas and candidates will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK, access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a wide geographical area.

This role is subject to an online / social media check as part of our safer recruitment processes, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance.

An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role.

To apply, we request that you submit a CV and answer the following 4 questions:

• Are you registered with the HCPC and RCSLT, and have permission to work in the UK? Yes/No, or please provide further details.
• Have you been working as an SLT for at least five years? Yes/No, or please provide further details.
• Do you have current working knowledge of the English education system including the National Curriculum and SEND code of practice? Please tell us more about how you gained this.
• Do you have experience of line managing and supporting others? This may include: newly qualified therapists, assistants, students or work experience placements? Please tell us more about this.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 01.11.2026 with interviews planned to follow.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation and will move to new authorities in April 2027. This role is currently employed by Surrey County Council and will remain so until then. If you are employed by Surrey County Council on 1 April 2027, your employment will transfer under TUPE arrangements to one of the new councils, with your current terms and conditions protected.

Our Commitment

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum shortlisting criteria as displayed on the advert, we guarantee you an interview.

Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.