Healthcare and Social Care - Speech and Language Therapy Assistant
Healthcare and Social Care - Speech and Language Therapy Assistant
Amber
Speech and language therapy assistants support people who have difficulties with communication, or with eating, drinking or swallowing.
- 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
As a Speech and Language Therapy Assistant 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.
Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.
Speech and Language Therapy Assistants tend to work between 37 to 40 hours a week. Typically you could work between 8am and 6pm on a rota.
Starting: £22, 383
Experienced: £24,336
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. You'll usually need 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course.
You can do a Healthcare Support Worker Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship or a Senior Healthcare Support Worker Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.
There are no set entry requirements but it may help you to get in if you have some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship.
If you have an EHCP you may be able to apply under the DfE exemption which allows the apprentice to use Entry level 3 English and Maths qualifications. The apprentice would have to successfully achieve all other aspects of the apprenticeship requirements, become occupationally competent and achieve Entry Level 3 in English and Maths before the end of their apprenticeship.
You could start as a healthcare assistant and move into speech and language therapy assistant work, through further training and promotion. 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.