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Speech and Language Therapist

As a Speech and Language Therapist, you will help people of all ages develop their communication skills and support those who have difficulties with speaking, understanding language, eating or swallowing. You'll work closely with individuals, families and other professionals to help people express themselves, build confidence and take part more fully in everyday life. You could be working in a variety of settings such as a hospital, care home, school or community centre. 

Speech and Language Therapist is also known as Speech Clinician.

Role Characteristics

  • Observe and assess people to understand their specific difficulties
  • Plan and develop therapy programmes
  • Support children and adults with eating or swallowing problems
  • Work with children with language delays or disorders
  • Help people regain communication after brain injuries or a stroke
  • Work with other health care professionals to deliver the best care

Skills

  • Team work
  • Active listening
  • Empathy
  • Advice giving
  • Observation
  • Communication

Day in the life

Watch this video to find out more about Speech and Language Therapy

Routes into this role

Here are some example routes that can lead into this role.

  • GCSEs
  • An apprenticeship
  • Undergraduate degree
  • Postgraduate degree
  • BTEC, T-Level or A-Levels

How to become

To become a Speech and Language Therapist, you will need a degree in Speech and Language Therapy. There are many ways to access university level education and you can explore lots of current opportunities in the section below.

You might:

  • Study A Levels, BTECs, or T Levels – useful subjects might include Psychology, Biology, English Language, Health and Social Care, Sociology or Applied Science. Explore some current opportunities below.
  • Complete an Access to Higher Education course – a college course designed for adults who want to access higher education but don’t have the traditional requirements like A Levels.
  • Complete a Foundation course – a year-long university course designed to prepare you for studying Speech and Language Therapy or a related healthcare profession if you do not have the required qualifications or grades to go straight into a degree.

You will then be ready to study at a university level. This can include:

  • Studying an undergraduate degree in Speech and Language Therapy.
  • Complete a Degree Apprenticeship – gain experience in the workplace while also studying a qualification in Speech and Language Therapy, where available.

Alongside education, you may also want to build some relevant work or voluntary experience in schools, healthcare settings, social care services, community organisations, nurseries or support roles working with children and adults and think about developing your communication, empathy, active listening, problem-solving and relationship-building skills.

To work in this role, you must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Where can this role lead

From your role as a Speech and Language Therapist, you could continue helping people develop communication, language and swallowing skills by specialising in areas such as Children and Young People's Services or Learning Disabilities.

You could also specialise in supporting people's wellbeing and independence through therapeutic interventions as an Occupational Therapist or aMusic Therapist. 

Your communication, assessment and relationship-building skills as a Speech and Language Therapist would also translate well to sideways moves such as a Health Trainer or with some extra training a Social Worker.



Location

  • Hospitals
  • Community Settings
  • Prisons
  • Peoples Homes
  • Schools, colleges and universities
  • Care Homes

Working hours

  • Weekdays
  • Part Time
  • Full Time
  • Casual Hours
  • Overtime
  • Flexible Hours

Opportunities

Two people smiling whilst working Woman in facemask working
Support
Becoming a Speech and Language Therapist
Find out how to become a speech and language therapist, including information about the role of SLTs and the qualifications you'll need.
Organisation
Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
View opportunity
BTECs, T-levels or A-levels
Leeds City College Health and Social Care courses
Find BTEC, T-Level or A-Level courses in Health and Care at Leeds City College
Organisation
Leeds City College
View opportunity
Access to university
Access to Higher Education (Healthcare Professions)
This course offers exciting opportunities for a range of degrees and subsequent careers in the health sector such as nursing, midwifery or other NHS related degree courses.
Organisation
Wakefield College
View opportunity
Work Experience
Virtual work experience
Aspiring Allies offers virtual work experience as well as housing information about the allied health professions, routes into these professions, a quick and easy quiz to support individuals to 'Find their AHP' and inspirational stories from staff working as and students studying to be an allied health professional.
Organisation
Aspiring Allies
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Volunteering
Volunteering in Health and Care
Find out more about volunteering opportunities in Health and Care
Organisation
Volunteering Opportunities
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Work Experience
Leeds Children's Hospital Work Experience
Leeds Children’s Hospital offers 1-2 week work experience opportunities in a variety of clinical areas for young people aged 15-18.
Organisation
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
View opportunity
Undergraduate Degree
BSc Speech and Language Therapy
Work with people experiencing communication impairments and difficulties with eating, drinking and swallowing, from children who stammer to adults recovering from brain injuries.
Organisation
Leeds Beckett University
View opportunity
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