Page Content
Job profiles
Speech and language therapy assistant
Hours
37.5 per week
Starting salary
£13,600 + per year
If you are interested in communication problems and you want to help others, this job could be ideal for you.
As a speech and language therapy assistant, you would support registered speech and language therapists during their assessment and treatment of people with communication, eating, drinking and swallowing problems.
In this job you will need to be caring and understanding. You will also need to be able to create good working relationships with people, to gain their confidence.
There aren't any specific entry requirements to get into this work, but some employers may ask for several GCSE passes. You may also be able to get into this job through an Apprenticeship.
WorkDesc
The work
You could work with a range of client groups, including:
- children
- adults with physical disabilities, mental health issues or learning difficulties
- people recovering from medical conditions, such as a stroke
- older people.
Your duties would usually involve:
- working with clients on a one-to-one basis
- liaising with the therapist about adjustments to a client's therapy
- group work and activities
- preparing therapy rooms and equipment
- supporting clients with any personal needs, for example, mobility issues.
You may also carry out general administrative tasks.
HoursDesc
Hours
You would usually work 37.5 hours a week. Part-time work, job share or term-time only contracts may also be available.
You could be based within a hospital or in the community, in a health centre, assessment unit, mainstream or special school. Your day-to-day work may include some travelling between community settings.
IncomeDesc
Income
- Speech and language therapy assistants can earn between £13,600 and £18,500 a year
- With experience and relevant qualifications, this could rise to around £21,800.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
EntryRequirementsDesc
Entry requirements
Each employer can set their own entry requirements – some NHS Trusts may not ask for any academic qualifications whereas others will prefer a good standard of general education (possibly including four or five GCSEs grades A-C). For some jobs it may be desirable, possibly essential, to have the ability to speak a second community-based language, knowledge of British Sign Language and an awareness of other cultures.
Qualifications in childcare (such as the Council for Awards in Care, Health and Education (CACHE) Certificate/Diploma in Child Care and Education) or an NVQ Level 2 in Health or Health and Social Care would be useful, though not essential.
It could be an advantage to have paid or unpaid experience of working with older people, children or people with physical disabilities, mental health problems or learning difficulties. Contact the voluntary services coordinator or manager at your local NHS Trust for further advice.
Another way to get experience would be through a Cadet Scheme or Apprenticeship (in many parts of the country, cadet schemes have been replaced with Apprenticeships). Schemes vary between NHS Trusts, but will usually include clinical placements and working towards a qualification such as the new Level 3 Diploma in Clinical Healthcare Support (title subject to change). To find out more, visit the Apprenticeships website.
You could also contact your local NHS Trust for details of both Cadet and Apprenticeship schemes in your area.
TrainingAndDevelopmentDesc
Training and development
You will usually receive on-the-job training from your employer. You may also be encouraged to work towards NVQ Level 3 in Health: Allied Health Profession Support (Speech and Language Therapy).
With experience, you could apply for an assistant practitioner post and study for a foundation degree in a subject such as health care (associate practitioner), or assisting professional practice. With this level qualification, you may be able to join the second year of a degree leading to registration as a speech and language therapist (this may be part of a secondment, with financial support from your employer).
Check the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists website for more information on courses, conferences, networking opportunities and the benefits of membership.
SkillsAndKnowledgeDesc
Skills and knowledge
To be a speech and language therapy assistant you should have:
- a caring and understanding approach
- a keen interest in communication impairments or problems
- the ability to work with people of all ages
- a mature and responsible attitude to work
- empathy and the ability to gain the trust and confidence of clients
- good teamworking skills and the ability to work alone
- strong communication and listening skills
- the ability to work under pressure
- the ability to use IT.
MoreInformationDesc
More information
Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists 
2 White Hart Yard
London
SE1 1NX
Tel: 020 7378 1200
www.rcslt.org
NHS Careers
PO Box 2311
Bristol
BS2 2ZX
Tel: 0345 60 60 655
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk
Health Learning and Skills Advice Line
Tel: 08000 150850
OpportunitiesDesc
Opportunities
You will find most jobs in the NHS. You could also work within the private sector (in hospitals or clinics) and with local authorities, voluntary and charitable organisations and independent schools. There is usually strong competition for jobs.
Experience as an assistant will give you a valuable insight into the work of qualified speech and language therapists, and you may have an advantage if you decide to apply for a place on an approved degree. See the speech and language therapist profile for details.
You may find the following useful for job vacancies and further reading (links open in new window):
Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
LMIData
Related industry information
Industry summary
The health sector is represented by Skills for Health Sector Skills Council, which comprises three sub‐sectors:
- National Health Service (NHS)
- Independent Healthcare Sector (such as private and charitable healthcare providers)
- Third Sector (healthcare) (such as small local community and voluntary groups, registered charities, foundations, trusts, social enterprises and co‐operatives)
The health sector is made up of hospitals, doctors’ surgeries, dental practices, the ambulance service, nursing homes, residential care homes, complementary medicine and a huge range of other health related activities, from sight tests in opticians to research in medical laboratories. Most people in the health sector work in the publicly funded National Health Service (NHS), which includes:
- primary care (organisations which the public goes to first) – Doctors/General Practitioners (GPs), NHS Walk in Centres, NHS Direct, Out of Hours Emergency Care
- secondary care (organisations which the public are referred onto) – Ambulance Trusts, NHS Trusts/hospitals, NHS Foundation Trusts/hospitals, Mental Health Trusts, Care Trusts (provide joint health and social care activities)
NHS policy in England is directed from the centre by the Department of Health. Local organisations, known as Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), are in charge of providing and commissioning services, controlling the majority of the budget. PCTs are overseen by 10 regional organisations called Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs).
The independent sector includes companies and charities that offer hospital and specialist services usually after referral from a doctor. Operations and other work are carried out in private hospitals, independent treatment centres, mental health units and hospices.
Key facts:
- The health sector is the largest employer in the UK, representing 5.5% of the working age population of the UK and 7.3% of the working age population that are currently in employment.
- It is estimated that the sector employs over 2 million people, including:
- over 1.5 million people in the NHS (72%)
- over 0.5 million people in the Independent Healthcare sector (26%)
- almost 40,000 in the voluntary sector (2%)
- 56% of the workforce has a higher education qualification (or equivalent).
- The age profile for the sector shows an older than average workforce, which is due in part to the fact that it takes some professions a long time to train and can mean that people enter the sector later.
There is a varied list of jobs in the sector ranging from a diverse number of clinical roles, to support and infrastructure staff, for instance: Allied Health Professionals (AHPs); Ambulance Staff; Dental Staff; Doctors/Medical staff; Nursing staff; Midwifery Staff; Healthcare Scientists; Health Informatics Staff; Management; Wider Healthcare Team; Complementary Therapists.
National and regional data
High proportions of the health sector workforce are located in:
- London
- South East
- North West
East Midlands - The health sector employs 131,515 people, which accounts for 7% of all employment in the region.
- The East Midlands employs 8% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 29% of all employment across the sector or 41,200 employees.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 133,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
East of England - The health sector employs 164,720 people, which accounts for 7% of all employment in the region.
- The East of England employs 9.8 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 30% of all employment across the sector or 52,300 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 14% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 103,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
London - The health sector employs over 249,524 people, which accounts for 6% of all the employment in the region.
- London employs 15% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 33% of all employment across the sector or 78,500 employees.
- Vacancies in health and social work account for 12% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 146,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
North East - The health sector employs 89,201 people, which accounts for 8.7% of all employment in the region.
- The North East employs 5.3 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 25% of all employment across the sector or 23,800 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be almost 46,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
North West - The health sector employs 251,960 people, which accounts for 8% of all employment in the region.
- The North West employs 15% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 23.5% of all employment across the sector or 59,200 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work account for 11% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 133,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
South East - The health sector employs 264,071 people, which accounts for 7.1% of all employment in the region.
- The South East employs 15.7% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 23.5% of all employment across the sector or 59,200 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all Industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 164,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
South West - The health sector employs 182,187 people, which accounts for 8.2% of all employment in the region.
- The South West employs 10.8 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 30% of all employment across the sector or 60,700 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all Industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 105,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
West Midlands - The health sector employs 168,746 people, which accounts for 7.2% of all employment in the region.
- The West Midlands employs 10% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 25% of all employment across the sector or 43,000 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 9% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 108,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
Yorkshire and the Humber - The health sector employs 182,848 people, which accounts for 8.2% of all employment in the region.
- Yorkshire and the Humber employ 10.9 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 24% of the total health care workforce or 42,000 employees.
- Vacancies in health and social work account for 11% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 97,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
Northern Ireland - The health sector employs 61,300 people.
- Northern Ireland employs 3% of the total health sector workforce.
- 81% of the workforce is female.
- 26% of the workforce is aged 35‐44 years.
- 96% of the workforce is white.
- 10% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 48% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 23% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
Scotland - The health sector employs 201,500 people.
- Scotland employs 10% of the total health sector workforce.
- 78% of the workforce is female.
- 30% of the workforce is aged 45‐54 years.
- 95% of the workforce is white.
- 14% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 39% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 23% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
Wales - The health sector employs 114,900 people.
- Wales employs 6% of the total health sector workforce.
- 74% of the workforce is female.
- 34% of the workforce is aged 45‐54 years.
- 94% of the workforce is white.
- 18% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 40% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 27% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey, 2008‐2009, Annual Business Inquiry, 2007, and Northern Ireland Census of Employment, 2007]
Career paths
Further sources
NHS Careers has sections on:
View full Job market information
News
