Introduction
Speech and language therapists (SLTs) help people of all ages with speech, language, and communication problems. They can also help people with dysphagia (eating, drinking, and swallowing difficulties). These issues can be caused by or related to learning disabilities and/or autism.
SLTs have a unique role in:
- assessing and identifying the speech, language, and communication needs of those with autism and/or learning disabilities,
- contributing to the diagnosis of autism and identification of an individual’s strengths and needs,
- identifying conditions that might co-occur or better explain an individual’s profile other than autism and/or learning disabilities,
- providing appropriate, evidence-based speech and language therapy intervention for people with autism and/or learning disabilities,
- developing the knowledge and skills of others involved in the care and education of those with autism and/or learning disabilities,
- supporting people with autism and/or learning disabilities, their families, and their carers during critical periods in their lives, where additional speech and language therapy intervention may be needed,
- working collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams, services, and the wider community to support access and reasonable adjustments to good communication,
- addressing and challenging health and social inequalities faced by people with autism and/or learning disabilities.
Salary, hours and benefits
| Average salary | £24,907 to £44,503. |
| Typical hours | Standard hours are usually around 37.5 hours a week. |
| You could work | – |
| Benefits |
|
What you’ll do
Day-to-day tasks
Your day-to-day duties may include:
- getting to know people with autism/learning disabilities and their families and carers across a wide range of settings,
- conducting observations and completing formal assessments of an individual’s abilities in language, speech, communication, and/or dysphagia (eating and drinking),
- providing speech and language therapy intervention and advice to individuals with language, speech, communication, and/or dysphagia needs, as well as to their families, support staff, and professionals,
- working with relevant professionals, carers and family to assess and manage challenging behaviour,
- utilising the evidence base to provide research-informed intervention,
- carrying out evaluations of therapy goals and outcomes and writing reports,
- working as an integral part of a multidisciplinary team across a variety of agencies and locations,
- developing and delivering learning and development opportunities for individuals, teams, schools, or services,
- organising and participating in clinical review meetings,
- contributing to development, provision, and evaluation of programmes of learning and development to other professionals, including providing placements for student speech and language therapists.
Working environment
You could work in a community learning disability or neurodevelopmental team; in a special or mainstream school; in community, residential, or in-patient settings; all within the NHS, education, social care, third sector organisations, or independent practice.
Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.
Characteristics and skills required
You’ll need:
- to be able to work with people of all ages,
- to enjoy using language and communication to support people,
- to motivate people,
- to reassure people,
- to enjoy working alone or as a member of a team,
- to problem-solve,
- to feel passionate about the inclusion, participation, and value in society of people with learning disabilities and/or autism.
Restrictions and requirements
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks may be required if working with children or vulnerable adults.
Career path and progression
With experience, speech and language therapists can progress to more senior management, clinical, or academic roles.
| Career Framework level | Role | Degree? |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Speech and language therapy assistant Supports individuals, their families and support workers around communication and dysphagia (eating and drinking) needs. They work under the supervision of a qualified speech and language therapist. | No |
| 4 | Senior speech and language therapy assistant Works more independently, with less direct supervision, under a qualified speech and language therapist. | No |
| 5 | Speech and language therapist Provides communication and dysphagia (eating and drinking) support and interventions to individuals, their families, and support workers. | Yes |
| 6 | Senior speech and language therapist Provides communication and dysphagia (eating and drinking) support and interventions to individuals, their families, and support workers. Demonstrates specialist knowledge within their field of practice and supervises others. | Yes |
| 7 | Advanced/highly specialist speech and language therapist Provides communication and dysphagia (eating and drinking) support and interventions to individuals, their families, and support workers. Demonstrates highly developed expert knowledge and skills within their field of practice, leads on projects, and supervises others. | Master’s degree |
| 8 | Consultant speech and language therapist Demonstrates professional and strategic leadership in their organisation and within the field of learning disability or autism. They may have responsibility for clinicians beyond their professional discipline. | Master’s degree |
| 9 | Senior management and leadership Works as lead within NHS trusts or at director/CEO level. May be responsible for a wide range of clinical teams and services using speech and language therapist leadership skills to influence policy and practice across a wider system. | Master’s degree |
How to become a Speech and Language Therapist
To practice as a speech and language therapist, you first need to successfully complete an approved degree (which takes three- or four-years full time or up to six years part time). There are also some postgraduate programmes which usually take 2 years. A degree apprenticeship standard in speech and language therapy has also been approved.
You can get into this job through:
- a university three- or four-year undergraduate or a two-year postgraduate course,
- a degree apprenticeship is also under development.
University
You can do a degree approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). If you already hold a relevant first degree, you can apply for an accelerated postgraduate programme in speech and language therapy. These courses usually last two years.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 3 A levels or equivalent. Preferred subjects include a science such as biology or psychology, and also English, languages, and linguistics.
Alternative qualifications, including:
- BTEC, HND, or HNC which includes science subjects,
- relevant NVQ,
- science-based access course,
- equivalent level Scottish or Irish qualifications,
- five GCSEs (grades A-C), including English language and maths.
Apprenticeship
A speech and language therapy degree apprenticeship is under development, with the first apprenticeships available from 2021. This degree is likely to take around four years for an undergraduate apprenticeship or around three years for a postgraduate apprenticeship. It will combine study with training on the job.
To do this apprenticeship (when available), you will be likely to need similar entry qualifications as for a traditional degree.
From within health and social care
If you are already working in the health and social care sector and you are looking for a new challenge, then you can change career to become a speech and language therapist within learning disability and autism support and care. You will need a degree in speech and language therapy. At university this will involve a three or four-year undergraduate degree or a two-year postgraduate course.
A speech and language therapy degree apprenticeship is under development, with the first apprenticeships being available from 2021. This degree is likely to take around four years for an undergraduate apprenticeship or around three years for a postgraduate apprenticeship. It will combine study with training on the job.
To do this apprenticeship (when available), you will be likely to need similar entry qualifications as for a traditional degree.
From outside health and social care
If you want to work in health and social care and you are looking for a new challenge, then you can change career to become a speech and language therapist within learning disability and autism support and care. You will need a degree in speech and language therapy. At university this will involve a three or four-year undergraduate degree or a two-year postgraduate course.
A speech and language therapy degree apprenticeship is under development, with the first apprenticeships being available from 2021. This degree is likely to take around four years for an undergraduate apprenticeship or around three years for a postgraduate apprenticeship. It will combine study with training on the job.
To do this apprenticeship (when available), you will be likely to need similar entry qualifications as for a traditional degree.
Financial support
Financial support at university in England comes in the form of loans for tuition fees and maintenance. You will also be entitled to receive at least a £5,000 non-repayable grant a year towards your studies while at university. Your personal circumstances may mean you could receive more. The same financial support package is available to both undergraduates and postgraduates.
Current opportunities
Most NHS trusts advertise their vacancies on NHS Jobs. Some advertise on trust websites. You can find a list of trusts on NHS Choices.