This occupation is found in a variety of contexts, including the NHS, local authorities, voluntary, community, and social enterprise sector (VCS) organisations, the education and justice sectors and in independent practice. Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) are regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council and are uniquely qualified to provide speech, language, communication and eating, drinking and swallowing therapies. They work in many settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, in the community, within charities, schools, and peoples’ homes. There are opportunities throughout your career to specialise and move into leadership, training and research roles.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to improve quality of life, health and well-being for people with communication difficulties and/or dysphagia (eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties). Applying evidence-based science to clinical practice, SLTs are the lead professionals who assess and improve outcomes for people who have speech, language, communication needs (SLCN), voice, fluency, and/or eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties. Communication and eating and drinking difficulties can have a significant impact on someone’s life from birth to death. There is huge variety in roles; some SLTs work with children to identify and develop their communication difficulties so they can reach their full potential, whereas others work with adults with conditions that affect their communication and/or swallowing such as stroke, dementia or Parkinson’s or support those with learning disabilities to communicate. Others might carry out research or work in specialist medical units or provide advice on communication aids, for example, to children with cerebral palsy.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with babies, infants, children, young people and adults who may have speech, language, and communication needs and/or difficulties with eating, drinking, and swallowing. SLTs frequently work as part of a team alongside other health, education and social care professionals, including nurses, Allied Health Professionals (AHPs), social workers, doctors, teachers and teaching assistants, educational and clinical psychologists, families/carers and volunteers. SLTs provide person-centred care, recognising and valuing the key contribution of the person and their family/carers in developing appropriate support
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for the prevention, assessment, diagnosis, therapeutic interventions and management of an individual’s speech, language, communication, and/or eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties. The SLT will play a central role in the health, well-being and participation of people with a range of developmental, and/or acquired conditions which may include end of life care and learning disabilities.
SLTs are autonomous professionals, responsible and accountable for their actions. They are also responsible for ensuring their knowledge and skills remain current, through evidence-based practice and maintaining professional competence. The SLT will also play a role in supporting other peoples’ learning, including future entrants to the profession, demonstrate leadership qualities, and may manage and lead colleagues/services. Summary of Standard https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/speech-and-language-therapist-integrated-degree/ Full Standard https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/media/3463/st0618_speech-and-language-therapist-integrated-degree-_assesment-plan-minor-amend_160919_qm.pdf
