Speech and Language Advisor North Tees Projects

Job Title: Speech and Language Advisor (Early Years)

Location: Home based - with travel to locations as necessary in the North Tees area 

Salary: £34,376-£36,117 (full-time)

Three days per week term-time only £20,737-£21,787

Contract: Fixed term for 1 year

This position would be suitable for one full-time advisor but we would also consider two part-time advisors working three days per week term-time only.

Start date: September 2023

We are Speech and Language UK (formerly I CAN) – we want every child to face the future with confidence. For 1.7 million children in the UK learning to talk and understand words feels like an impossible hurdle. We want to reach children earlier to make sure every child has the skills to face the future. We design innovative tools and training for staff in schools and settings, give families the confidence and skills to help their child and put pressure on politicians to prioritise support for children. 

This is an exciting time to join our organisation as we have a number of projects that are getting underway in the North-East of England. We are seeking (a) Speech and Language Advisor(s) who will work in the North Tees area with education, health and Family Hub partners in driving forward the change agenda for Speech, Language and Communication in the Early years. You will work with stakeholders to embed lasting change and develop sustainable, borough-wide solutions to support children’s early speech and language development. This is an amazing opportunity to work closely with a group of forward-thinking local areas, who are looking to create a model of best practice to support young children and families to give them the best outcomes in learning and life. 

We’re keen to recruit a Speech and Language Advisor who will:  

·       Introduce strategies and interventions to promote family-based early language development, and support partners to deliver and embed these strategies.

·       Introduce evidenced approaches within early years settings including our Early Talk Boost (ETB) intervention; and provide support to settings in order to deliver and embed these approaches.

·       Provide regular updates and reports to the nominated project lead;

·       Undertake project evaluation to inform future recommendations for sustainability to Local Authority leaders.

We are keen to hear from you if you are an experienced Teacher / Speech and Language Therapist with an extensive track record in early years and experience of project delivery. Project support will be provided in house by Speech and Language UK and you will be managed by Speech and Language UK’s Lead Speech and Language Advisor.

The successful candidate will be within easy reach of the North Tees area in the NE of England, specifically Hartlepool and Darlington. Your CV should be accompanied by a personal statement of no more than 2 sides of A4 detailing:

·       Your knowledge and qualifications to undertake the role, including any relevant professional registration e.g., with the HCPC for Speech and Language therapists, and your passion for our cause  

·       Your experience of delivering, monitoring and evaluating projects 

·       Your experience of working in education settings in Early Years  

·       Your experience of developing / delivery quality training both in person and online 

·       Your experience of improving outcomes for children with speech and language challenges 

·       Your extensive knowledge and understanding of education practice and Communication and Language/speech and language challenges 

Does this sound like you? We would love to hear from you if that is the case. 

To apply, please submit your up to date CV and a covering letter addressing how you meet the criteria above to jobs@speechandlanguage.org.uk by 9am on 19th June. Interviews will take place on 23rd June 2023.

If you would like an informal discussion about the role please contact Claire Smith, Lead Speech and Language Advisor: claire.smith@speechandlanguage.org.uk  

Speech and Language UK works within the government’s Covid-19 guidelines.

Please note that we will not close applications before this time and date as we recognise that candidates put in a lot of time and effort into making an application and we want to give each of you the time and space to put in an application you feel proud of. 

Please note that we will not shortlist candidates who do not submit both a CV and a completed question pack.

Speech and Language is passionate about promoting equality, valuing diversity and working inclusively. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons particularly Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic and LGBTQ+ applicants, as these groups are currently under-represented in our workforce.

We are committed to safer recruitment practices and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced Criminal Records check.