Speech and language therapy assistant

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly

Entry requirements:

College

You could do a college course to get into this job. Relevant subjects include:

• Level 2 Certificate in Health and Social Care
• Level 2 Certificate in Healthcare Support Services
• Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support

Most health and social care courses include work placements so this could be a good way to get practical experience.

Entry requirements:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You can do a Healthcare Support Worker Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship or a Senior Healthcare Support Worker Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Work

You could start as a healthcare assistant and move into speech and language therapy assistant work, through further training and promotion.

Volunteering

You might have an advantage when looking for jobs if you have volunteering experience in a healthcare setting.

You can also find volunteering opportunities through The National Council for Voluntary Organisations and Do IT .

DirectApplication

You can apply directly for jobs if you've got relevant skills and experience from working in a healthcare setting. Some employers may ask for a qualification in healthcare and GCSE subjects like maths, English and science.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• sensitivity and understanding
• excellent verbal communication skills
• knowledge of psychology
• active listening skills
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• to be flexible and open to change
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to work well with others
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to use your initiative
• customer service skills
• administration skills
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• the ability to read English
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• concentration skills
• the ability to work well with your hands
• a good memory

What you'll do:

Speech and language therapy assistants support people who have difficulties with communication, or with eating, drinking or swallowing.

In this role, you could:

• work with clients on a one-to-one basis
• run group work and activities
• update patient records
• work closely with speech therapists and education professionals
• advise clients and colleagues on cultural and language differences if you're bilingual

Location : You could work at a health centre, in an NHS or private hospital, at a client's home, in a nursery or at a school.
Environment : Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.

Salary:

Starter : £22,000
Experienced : £24,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

37 - 40 hours a week

Working Pattern is between 8am and 6pm on a rota

Career Path:

With experience, you could:

• become a team leader and supervise other therapy assistants
• train to become an assistant practitioner
• study to qualify as a speech and language therapist