SEND Specialist - Speech and Language Therapist

Reading Borough Council is seeking a motivated Speech and Language Therapist to join our well established RISE service. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping inclusive practice across Reading’s schools and supporting children and young people with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN)

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About the role

In this role, you’ll work collaboratively with schools, colleagues and partner agencies to improve outcomes for children and young people with SLCN.

You’ll take a lead role in shaping how SLCN is understood and supported across Reading. This will involve working closely with education settings to build confidence, skills and sustainable inclusive practice.

You will

Lead on RISE’s strategic and practical approach to Speech, Language and Communication Needs

Work directly with schools to model best practice approaches, adaptations and interventions within ordinarily available provision (OAP)

Design and deliver engaging training sessions and resources aligned with current research and evidence

Provide specialist advice, consultation and guidance to schools and professionals

Work alongside multi-disciplinary colleagues to ensure a joined up approach to SEND, recognising how SLCN interacts with other areas of need

Support borough wide initiatives and contribute to the ongoing development of the RISE service

Gather feedback from schools and use this to inform service improvement

Maintain accurate records and contribute to panels and planning meetings as required

About you

You’ll be a motivated and reflective Speech and Language Therapist who is passionate about inclusion and committed to supporting children and young people with SEND in educational settings.

You’ll be confident working independently while also valuing collaboration and shared learning. You’ll be comfortable influencing practice through advice, training and professional dialogue.

You’ll have

A recognised Speech and Language Therapy qualification and HCPC registration

Experience working with children and young people with SEND and SLCN, particularly in education settings

A strong understanding of evidence based approaches to supporting communication needs

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including confidence delivering presentations and training

Experience of multi agency working and building effective professional relationships

Good organisational skills and the ability to prioritise and manage competing demands

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do

Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential

Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way

Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including

Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave

A wide range of flexible working opportunities

Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading

Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)

On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted

Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work

Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

Closing Date

Sunday 14th June 2026

Interview Date

To be confirmed

Interview Process

To be confirmed

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Disability Confident

About Disability Confident

A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.