Speech and Language Therapist

Step by Step School

Banding: Band 6 Experienced Band 5 (for Band 5/6 progression role) Pay: NHS B5: £32,073 – £39,043NHS B6 £39,959 – £48,117 Contract Type Permanent Full-timePart-time hours negotiable for the right candidate Location: Grinstead Lane, Sharpthorne, East Sussex, RH19 4HP Start date: June 2026 (negotiable for the right candidate)

Join our caring, friendly and dynamic multi-disciplinary team who are passionate about promoting communication, independence, and wellbeing in our pupils and supporting and empowering families.  We are looking for a full time Band 6 or an experienced Band 5/6 (progression role) Speech and Language Therapist to join our therapy team to deliver high quality, child centered therapy to our pupil cohort. Please contact Sian Kelly (Occupational Therapist/Therapy Lead) to arrange a tour of the school and initial enquiries via email: skelly@stepbystepschool.org.uk or phone: 01342 811852.

Step by Step was rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted (2025), and is a not-for-profit independent special school for autistic children. We are located near East Grinstead in the beautiful Sussex countryside. The pupil population includes pupils with variable support needs. Pupils use a variety of communication systems including predominantly verbal, hi-tech AAC, and low-tech AAC.

The school provides an individualised curriculum delivered through the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis for pupils aged 4 to 19. The school embraces evidence-based practice such as an embedded Attention Autism approach, colourful semantics, and Lego therapy. In addition, the school promotes a total communication approach and strives to support and respect pupils’ preferred communication methods. The school is also exploring strategies and benefits for pupils on role who are gestalt language processors. The school is registered for 40 pupils. The Therapy Team provide specialist, individualised, and integrated therapy to pupils, working alongside class staff, teachers, behaviour analysts, and other professionals associated with the school.

We offer our Speech and Language Therapists:

• Excellent Annual Leave entitlement: 12 weeks per year
• Flexible working available with working from home
• Working within a direct therapy model with intensive therapy delivered through 1:1, paired, and group sessions
• Experience of planning and running therapy groups
• Completing community trips to support development of skills to promote community integration, safety, and independence through communication
• Ongoing training and CPD opportunities
• Ongoing regular supervision from an experienced SaLT (e.g., Fortnightly for B5; up to half termly for B6)
• Networking with professionals from other similar provisions already in place
• Working collaboratively with other professionals (e.g., Occupational Therapists;

Physiotherapists; Behaviour Anaylists, Teachers)

• Working with involved and supportive parents
• A Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) allocated budget managed by the SaLT team
• Free onsite parking and potential for car sharing
• You will be based in a bright, airy office with the rest of the therapy team with a phone, and double monitor
• Opportunities for flexible working patterns for staff with part time hours
• Training to provide awareness and understanding of Applied Behaviour Analysis approach
• The opportunity to work closely with the class teams through integrated Speech, Language and Communications Needs (SLCN) targets in Individual Education Plans

(IEPs)

• Protected CPD hours
• Access to our onsite gym after school hours
• School set in beautiful open countryside

The successful candidate will have/need:

• Professional Qualified Speech and Language Therapy qualification to degree level
• HCPC Registration
• Knowledge of assessment, planning, and evaluating treatment
• Demonstrable commitment to Evidence Based Practice (EBP)
• Knowledge and experience of a range of interventions to support social skill development, and speech and communication needs
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills
• Passionate about supporting autistic children and young people

You will join a supportive staff team where teamwork, flexibility, and a positive personality are essential attributes. Come and join the team to help make a difference to the lives of our children and young people.

For more information about the Band 6 role, please click here.

For more information about the Band 5 role, please click here.

For an application form, please click here.

Deadline for applications is 27 th April at 9am, with Interviews scheduled from 6th May 2026.

If you would like to discuss this role, please contact either Sian Kelly (Occupational Therapist/Therapy Lead) skelly@stepbystepschool.org.uk, and Georgia Pearson-Gurney (Speech and Language Therapist) gpearsongurney@stepbystepschool.org.uk.

Please note: we are unable to accept CVs.  To apply for this position, please contact Clare Eastwood for an application pack: ceastwood@stepbystepschool.org.uk

We look forward to hearing from you.

Step by Step School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.  An enhanced disclosure will be conducted for the successful applicant.