Speech and language therapist

Speech and Language Therapist | SEND School | London (Chelsea / Imperial Wharf)

Imperial Wharf (Hammersmith & Fulham), London

Vacancy listed
29/06/2026

Details

Imperial Wharf, Chelsea (Hammersmith & Fulham), London

Competitive, dependent on experience

Full-time, Permanent (Monday to Friday)

SEND / Autism Specialist Primary School

First Bridge School is a DfE-registered specialist SEND school for pupils aged 2 to 11 with autism and complex developmental needs, located in Chelsea, London.

Communication is at the heart of everything we do. Our Speech and Language Therapists are not peripatetic visitors. They are core members of a fully integrated multidisciplinary team, working daily alongside Teachers, Occupational Therapists, and Behaviour Specialists to ensure communication strategies are embedded across every part of the school day.

As our Speech and Language Therapist, you will lead communication assessment and intervention for pupils with autism, complex communication needs, and language development delays. You will work directly with pupils, support classroom teams, and contribute to an environment where every adult around a child speaks the same communicative language.

• Conduct comprehensive SaLT assessments for pupils with autism, AAC needs, and speech, language, and communication difficulties
• Design and deliver evidence-based individual and group SaLT intervention programmes
• Develop and implement AAC systems, PECS programmes, and communication passports
• Collaborate closely with Teachers and TAs to embed communication strategies into classroom routines
• Work with OT and Behaviour Specialists to ensure consistent, integrated therapeutic approaches
• Contribute to EHCP assessments, annual reviews, and multi-agency planning
• Produce clear, professional SaLT reports for EHCPs, tribunals, and external professionals
• Train and coach classroom staff to use SaLT strategies with confidence and consistency
• Maintain clinical records in line with RCSLT standards and GDPR
• Uphold safeguarding and child protection procedures at all times

• Degree in Speech and Language Therapy and HCPC registration
• Membership of RCSLT
• Experience working with children with autism and complex communication needs
• Confident in AAC assessment and implementation
• Strong knowledge of EHCPs, SEND legislation, and multi-agency working
• Ability to train and support non-clinical staff in communication strategies
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
• Commitment to safeguarding and child-centred practice
• Experience in a specialist SEND school, early years, or paediatric community setting
• Training in Makaton, PECS, LAMP, or SCERTS frameworks
• Experience supporting pre-verbal or minimally verbal pupils
• Familiarity with structured teaching approaches (e.g. TEACCH)

• Competitive salary with progression
• A genuine multidisciplinary team, not a token one
• Funded CPD and specialist SaLT training
• Manageable caseload with real clinical autonomy
• 34 days holiday (inclusive of bank and public holidays)
• Laptop for work and home use
• Strong staff support and supervision structures
• Clear career progression within a growing specialist school

• SaLTs who want specialist paediatric practice with a deep autism focus
• Clinicians who want to be embedded in a school, not rotating through one
• Therapists who value being genuinely integrated with teachers and TAs
• SaLTs motivated by communication outcomes over throughput

• SaLTs seeking a mixed adult or community caseload
• Those who prefer clinic-based, isolated working
• Clinicians uncomfortable with the pace and environment of a specialist school

We expect everybody to share our commitment to safeguarding.

Our vacancies are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Pre-employment checks are carried out, professional references sought and successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and other relevant checks.

We comply with the DBS code of practice. As such, having a criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working with us; the nature of the position and the circumstances and context of your offences will be considered.

An online search is carried out on all shortlisted candidates.

Referral Awards We offer referral awards to existing colleagues for recommending people who come to work with us.