Speech and Language Dysphagia Therapist

Chiltern Wood School, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP12 3NE

16 days remaining to apply

• Closing date

  23 February 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  21 January 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teaching assistant
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £36,495.00 - £51,081.00 Annually (FTE) NHS Band 5-7

Speech and Language Dysphagia Therapist job summary

Chiltern Wood school is a multi-site SEN school based over 3 locations within the High Wycombe area. We cater for a wide range of students, aged 3-19 with complex special educational needs.

As a school, Chiltern Wood use the SCERTS framework. A Total Communication Approach is incorporated into classroom practice, and a variety of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) are used extensively across the school.

We employ our own well established, friendly and supportive Speech and Language Therapy Team consisting of 3/4 therapists. Therapists enjoy parity with their teacher colleagues in working term time only with paid school holidays. We are currently seeking a therapist to join our lovely team working term time plus two weeks during the holiday periods to be confirmed. This position will include covering communication needs within the school, and we would particularly welcome anyone with dysphagia training and experience as this is invaluable within our setting.

The ideal candidate will complement our existing team skill set, and we would therefore invite applications, Band 6, or Band 7 level, or experienced Band 5 dependent on therapist knowledge, skills, and experience. We would consider part-time working for the right candidate.

The role will include significant opportunities for meaningful direct work with pupils. Within the role, there will be opportunities to work collaboratively with teaching staff in classroom settings to integrate speech and language therapy recommendations (both communications, and eating and drinking) into daily classroom practice; and opportunities to deliver training for staff and parents on a range of topics.

Continuing Professional Development is actively encouraged, and as a school we have a proactive attitude to training and development opportunities. Regular clinical team supervision is in place for the SaLT team, and there is a commitment to evidence-based practice.

The Speech and Language Therapy Department is well resourced with it's own budgets for training/CPD, and for equipment and resources. The use of electronic and paper-based AAC is established within the school. Therapists are provided with their own laptops. There are many opportunities to work together with the large multi-disciplinary team, which includes Occupational Therapists, School Nurses, Music Therapy, and Physiotherapy.

Please refer to the Job Descriptions for further information relating to specifics for the role.

All applicants must be registered members of both RCSLT and HCPC.

The successful candidate will be independently responsible for a caseload of pupils with complex needs.

We would welcome candidates with a particular interest in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC); Complex Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASC); and/or Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD).

Therapists applying must have evidence of specialist knowledge, skills, and experience in relevant clinical areas.

Candidates need excellent communication and interaction skills, a high level of empathy, and a passion for providing speech and language therapy for children and young people with complex needs.

If all of the aforementioned is of interest to you, we would welcome your application.

For full details please visit www.chilternwood.bucks.sch.uk and apply via the link to My New Term

We reserve the right to close the advert early if multiple suitable applications are received.

We are focused on continuously improving our teaching and learning offer, and aim to secure only the very best outcomes for our pupils through high quality provision and practice. Visits to the school are keenly encouraged and a discussion with a senior leader is highly recommended. Please visit our school website to take a virtual tour of our departments or contact the school to arrange a tour.

Chiltern Wood School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its pupils and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to full vetting checks, including a disclosure of criminal records at an enhanced level, online searches and satisfactory references

Closing date: Midday - 23rd February 2026

Interview Date - TBC

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Chiltern Wood School

• School type: Special school, ages 3 to 19
• School size: 218 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 3 to 19
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Chiltern Wood School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/chiltern-wood-school

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