Deputy Principal Speech and Language Therapist

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Are you an experienced, passionate Speech & Language Therapist ready to shape the future of communication support for children and young people? Do you thrive in leadership roles where your ideas, expertise and vision can directly influence service development and outcomes?

If so, this is your opportunity to step into a pivotal role at the heart of Merton’s inclusive education and SEND support system.

Why This Role Matters

As our Deputy Principal Speech & Language Therapist, you’ll play a central role in leading and developing a dynamic, borough-wide service that supports children and young people across:

• Secondary schools
• Specialist schools (SEMH, MLD, SLD, PMLD)
• Youth Justice Service
• Traded/Buy-Back services
• Virtual School provision

You’ll work closely with the Principal SLT to shape strategy, drive innovation, and ensure high quality, evidence based practice across all settings.

This is a role for someone who wants to make a real difference — not just clinically, but systemically.

 What You’ll Be Doing

As a senior leader in the service, you will:

• Provide highly specialist assessment and intervention, including complex case management.
• Lead on service development, quality assurance and clinical pathways.
• Support and mentor SLTs across the team, helping them grow and excel.
• Build strong partnerships with education, social care, health and Youth Justice colleagues.
• Deliver specialist training to educators, parents and professionals.
• Champion communication needs across the borough, raising awareness and promoting inclusive practice.
• Contribute to strategic planning, policy development and innovative service models.

You’ll also maintain a small clinical caseload (up to 0.4 FTE), keeping you connected to the young people and families we serve.

What You Bring

You’ll be a confident, skilled clinician with:

• A recognised SLT qualification and HCPC/RCSLT registration.
• At least six years’ specialist experience and strong post graduate CPD.
• Expertise in assessment and intervention for complex SLCN.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and leadership skills.
• A passion for developing others and driving high quality practice.
• The ability to work flexibly, collaboratively and with emotional resilience.

If you’re ready to step into a senior leadership role — or already working at that level — we’d love to hear from you.

Why Join Merton?

• A supportive, forward thinking SLT leadership team
• A strong culture of collaboration across education, health and social care
• Opportunities to innovate and shape borough wide practice
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusive education
• A service that values your voice, your expertise and your wellbeing

This is your chance to influence change, empower others and help young people thrive through communication

Ready to Lead With Us?

If you’re excited by the opportunity to shape a high impact service and support the next generation of SLTs, we’d love to welcome you to the team.

Interview Dates 30th September