Principal Therapist - Speech and Language Therapist

Are you ready to lead, inspire, and make a lasting impact?

At Sybil Elgar School, we’re seeking a dynamic Speech and Language Therapist to work as our Principal Therapist to lead and drive our therapy provision and shape the future of autism practice. Our pupils have a complex profile of need, and this role places you at the heart of embedding therapy into daily classroom life to ensure every child receives the tailored support they deserve. As part of our Senior Leadership Team, you’ll guide a school based dedicated group of therapists, implement the latest evidence-based strategies, and work together with families to strengthen parental engagement and create lifelong change across the family unit. With opportunities to contribute to curriculum development, collaborate with professionals, and connect with the wider NAS network, this is your chance to influence both local practice and national research, all while making a real difference in the day to day lives of autistic pupils and their communities.

Who we are:

The National Autistic Society is the UK’s leading charity for autistic people. Since 1962, we’ve been transforming lives, changing attitudes and helping to create a society that works for autistic adults and children.

We transform lives by providing support, guidance and practical advice for the 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK, as well as their three million family members and carers. Autistic people turn to us at key moments or challenging times in their lives, be it getting a diagnosis, going to school or finding work.

We change attitudes by improving public understanding of autism and the difficulties many autistic people face. We also work closely with businesses, local authorities and government to help them provide more autism-friendly spaces, deliver better services and improve laws.

We have come a long way but it is not good enough. There is still so much to do to increase opportunities, reduce social isolation and build a brighter future for people on the spectrum. With your help, we can make it happen.

Who we are looking for:

We are looking for an experienced Speech and Language Therapist who has a passion to work in an organisation that specialises in autism, supporting autistic children and young people to live the life they choose. This role is based in our school; the main part of your role will be to drive therapeutic excellence within Sybil Elgar School.

Your qualities:

• Patient, inspiring, caring and sensitive towards the needs of vulnerable people
• Good listeners, able to report and record information accurately
• Team players, able to work independently with little support as required
• Resilient, able to work proactively with challenging behaviour
• Willing and able to provide personal care to individuals
• Individuals who value diversity, health and safety and are committed to safe working practice. 

This is a term-time permanent contract with paid school holidays, 35 hours per week, and the pay is £54,320.00 per annum - £60,981.00 dependant on relevant experience

What we can offer you:

• Auto-enrolled pension scheme
• Excellent induction, training and development programme including training about autism and opportunities to attend our conferences
• Online staff discount scheme for a range of benefits (cycle to work scheme, season ticket loan, shopping discounts etc)
• Healthcare Cash Plan
• Life Assurance
• A portfolio of salary sacrifice and other flexible benefits at reduced costs

Your holiday entitlement is 10 weeks, which must be taken within the existing school holidays for your school. This is to ensure our pupils receive the continuous support they require while at school.

You are not entitled to take holiday during the school term.

We are passionate about supporting autistic people into work, and particularly welcome applications from autistic people. We help autistic people from all backgrounds and strive to represent the same diversity in our staff and volunteers. We particularly encourage applications from people from all minority groups, who are currently under-represented in our workforce. Together, we can create a society that works for autistic people. 

Where you will be working:

Sybil Elgar School, Acton, London

About our application process: 

When providing a supporting statement, please refer to the job description and person specification and include any information that shows your suitability for the role. 

For more information about this job please contact Paula Walker, Head of Therapy, at Paula.Walker@nas.org.uk