Speech & Language Therapy Assistant

Salary: £27,865 with progression to £29,354 per annum (pro rata)

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 20 October 2026

The Role

We are seeking to appoint a motivated and enthusiastic individual to work as part of the team in the North East Trust for Aphasia (NETA) Support Centre. You will work as a Speech and Language Therapy assistant, supporting the Speech and Language Therapist (SLT), working flexibly to support delivery of the activities for people with aphasia in the Centre. 

This is a 0.2FTE position, working on a Thursday.

You will possess excellent communication skills, enjoy working directly with people and have strong organisational skills.

Informal enquiries (not addressed in the job description) may be made to Julie Morris ([email protected]) or Kathy Cann ([email protected]) Support Centre Coordinator.

Interviews to be held on Thursday 5th November 2026 and to apply, please include a cover letter and a short CV.

Key Accountabilities

• To work directly with people with aphasia in small and large groups (approx. 4-25) at the Support Centre. This would be by facilitating groups to encourage and support communication and/or working with individuals. This will be under the direct supervision of the SLT in the first instance, developing to independent working following appropriate training. The role may require supporting people with aphasia to undertake assignments out in the wider environment at times. All work is planned in discussion with the SLT who carries overall responsibility


• To assist in week to week planning by developing and producing activities and materials


• To support day to day administration, for example attendance records


• To contribute to discussions regarding planning of future sessions and groups


• To work with volunteers, as appropriate


• To prepare rooms and equipment for the programme of activities for the Support Centre, including purchase of consumables as required


• To provide administrative support as required


• To assist clients with needs, for example helping with refreshments and moving around the location


• To adhere to policies and procedures to facilitate the smooth running of the Centre, including completing all required University training


• To ensure confidentiality is maintained, adhering to the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) guidelines on confidentiality and ethical issues


• To have a commitment to continuing professional development appropriate to the role

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Experience in an assistant role within healthcare, or a similar role


• Experience of working with adults in a supportive role and/or in a group setting


• Awareness of strategies to support communication


• Excellent organisational and planning skills; with an ability to manage time effectively, to work to set deadlines under pressure, with a flexible attitude to work demands


• Ability to work under own initiative and as part of a team with a commitment to excellent service


• Good IT skills (e.g. Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, using social media)

Desirable

• Experience with people with aphasia or stroke


• Experience of providing training to staff or public

Attributes and Behaviour

• A positive, caring and professional attitude and approach


• Excellent adaptive communication skills


• Works in a planned and structured way whilst maintaining flexibility in work plans to allow for changing circumstances


• Ensures that all activities are completed on time 


• Excellent team member - Keeps team up to date with progress, willing to help others and share workloads

Qualifications

• English Language to GCSE level or equivalent


• Appointment subject to an up to date enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

Desirable

• Relevant NVQ/SVQ Level 3 or equivalent

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.  As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.  We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.  We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. 

Requisition ID: 29826