Specialist Speech and Language Lead Practitioner (Clinical Lead)
The Specialist Speech and Language Lead Practitioner (Clinical Lead) plays a central leadership role within Dawn House School’s highly skilled therapy team.
Job details
Location
Dawn House School, Helmsley Road, Rainworth, Nottinghamshire, NG21 0DQ
Salary
£46,183 - £50,977 per annum
Hours of work
Full time: 35 hours per week, Term time + 3 weeks during the school closure period including Saturdays as required (total working weeks: 42 weeks per year)
Contract
Permanent
Closing date
December 15, 2025
Job title: Specialist Speech and Language Lead Practitioner (Clinical Lead)
Responsible to: Head of Therapy
Pay: £46,183 – £50,977 (Therapy Pay Scale 5)
Start Date: January 2026
Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week.
Working weeks: 42 weeks per year (term time plus three additional weeks during the school closure period including Saturdays as required (total working weeks: 42 weeks per year)
Role Overview
The Specialist Speech and Language Lead Practitioner (Clinical Lead) plays a central leadership role within Dawn House School’s highly skilled therapy team. This role exists to provide clinical expertise, management support, and strategic oversight to ensure that the school delivers exceptional, evidence-based speech and language therapy for children and young people with complex communication needs.
Key Responsibilities
- Support, coordinate and lead a team of Speech and Language Therapists, apprentices and assistants.
- Deputise for the Head of Therapy and Assessment Service.
- Ensure the delivery of high-quality clinical practice, reporting and supervision.
- Lead on clinical audits, service development and quality assurance.
- Work collaboratively with education staff to ensure therapy aligns with curriculum and EHCP needs.
- Provide expert guidance and support to staff, families and external professionals.
- Maintain your own specialist caseload and professional registration.
- Contribute to whole-school development, training, and strategic planning.
What we are looking for
- Degree-level Speech & Language Therapy qualification.
- HCPC and RCSLT registration.
- Extensive post-qualification experience with complex caseloads.
- Experience supervising and supporting other SLTs.
- Strong leadership, communication and organisational skills.
- Ability to analyse complex assessments and deliver evidence-based intervention.
- Experience working within multidisciplinary teams
About Us
Dawn House, a Speech and Language UK school, is a day and residential school dedicated to supporting children with complex speech and language challenges. We provide integrated education, therapy, and care to pupils aged 5-19. Our school has been rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted and offers a collaborative, child-centred environment with communication at its heart. Join our passionate and dynamic team, where we give young people the communication skills they need to face the future with confidence. Visit our website here.
Why Us?
Because…Dawn House School is a Speech and Language UK specialist school for children aged 5-19 with complex or severe speech and language challenges. You will collaborate with a team of therapists, educators, and external professionals and shape mental health practices and drive meaningful change in education.
Because…We know that with the right help, children can go on to thrive and our school is designed to give them the best possible futures. You will work closely with students aged 5-19 who face communication and emotional challenges.
Because…1.9 million children in the UK are currently struggling with talking and understanding words and you can help change that.
How to Apply
For informal enquiries or visits to school please contact Andrea Robinson, Head of Therapy and Assessment Service on andrea.robinson@dawnhouse.org.uk
The closing date for this vacancy is 9am on Monday 15th December 2025 with interviews taking place week commencing 12th January 2026, date to be confirmed.
Have a look at our application pack to find out more about this opportunity and the difference you can make to children’s lives.
To apply please complete the application form (application pack attached) and send this to Catherine Ingram, School Business Administrator catherine.ingram@dawnhouse.org.uk
Accessibility Support
We are committed to ensuring that our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. If you require any adjustments or need to apply in a different format, please contact our People Team at hr@speechandlanguage.org.uk and we will be happy to assist you.
We are a Disability Confident Committed employer. Find out what this means here
Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and we carry out safer recruitment principles, as well as appropriate vetting and verifications on all school staff.
In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education the successful candidate’s employment is subject to an enhanced DBS and barred list check. All shortlisted candidates will be subject to an online search covering content that is in the public domain.
A copy of our Safeguarding policy can be found here: School Safeguarding Policy