Speech and Language Therapy Apprenticeship
Job overview
PLEASE NOTE THIS ADVERT WILL CLOSE ONCE THE CAP HAS BEEN REACHED WHICH MAY WELL BE BEFORE IT IS ADVERTISED TO CLOSE. Please apply for this job as soon as you can, if interested.
The Registered Speech and Language Therapist Apprenticeship:
Due to start January 2026, you will be working towards becoming a Registered Speech and Language Therapist with a BSc Hons Degree. The course combines work-based learning with Birmingham Community Health care Trust (BCHC), academic learning with Birmingham City University (BCU) and placements.
As an apprentice you will be employed by BCHC and will be placed in either the children's and families division or the adult specialist rehabilitation division. Whilst you will be allocated to one specific division during your training, you will gain skills and knowledge of the different areas of local healthcare services through your placements and meet the Speech and Language Therapist requirements, in line with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the apprenticeship standard.
Main duties of the job
Attendance is expected one day per week at BCU and 1 day per week to attend clinical placement/guided learning time with the remaining 3 days per week as part of the city wide SLT team in BCHC. You will be expected to fit into the working hours based on service need.
On successful completion of the apprenticeship, you will be able to join the Speech and Language Therapist register and HCPC register as a Speech and Language Therapist. During the education program you will develop skills, knowledge and behaviours stated within the apprenticeship standard that will allow you to work in today’s dynamic and changing healthcare environment.You will be required to commit to self-directed study and successfully complete the education program within the contract period.
Working for our organisation
IMPORTANT:
If you are an INTERNAL candidate, secondment paperwork will need to be agreed and signed by your line manager PRIOR to interview. If this is not complete, you will be unable to continue in the recruitment process.
Eligibility
For All candidates, you will be required to complete apprenticeship eligibility checks on a specified date prior to interview. This will be to check ID, Proof of Address and all HARD COPIES of entry level requirements. Once we are satisfied that you are eligible for the apprenticeship you will then be offered an interview.
UK residency of minimum of 3 years
Evidence required if not a UK citizen: Right to work and Live in the UK, Valid Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). This will need to be valid for the duration of the apprenticeship.
Salary
Internal candidates - in a substantive post will complete a secondment to maintain their current banding and terms and conditions.
External candidates - Those currently working within the NHS will have there current Afc Banding honoured. However, those candidates that apply that do not work within the NHS or are coming from a non-clinical background will be paid the national apprenticeship wage for the first 12 months.This then increases in-line with the national minimum wage.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please refer to the Job description and person specification attached to the advert. This provides a more detailed description of the main duties and responsibilities of the role as well as the university entry level requirements we will apply when shortlisting.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria- GCSE Grade C/4 or above in Maths & English or Functional skills level 2 Maths & English
- 1 Level 3 Qualification
- • 120 UCAS points (Grades BBC) from 3 A levels or an equivalent L3 qualification (examples include:
- BTEC National/Extended Diploma DDM, Access to HE Diploma (Health or Science related pathway)
- Pass with 60 credits overall; 45 credits at level 3 with 12 at Distinction and 24 at Merit.
You are not required to hold three GCSEs in total.
Experience
Essential criteria- • You will need to be have experience of working in a health/education/social/care environment with transferable skills
- Experience of interacting with members of the public from a range of backgrounds and in different settings
- Evidence of excellent communication skills within health/education/social setting
Skills and Knowledge
Essential criteria- Understanding of SLT discipline and its related values
- evidence of advanced written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team
- Display an understanding that they are aware of what the SLT apprenticeship entails
Disability Confident Employer and Guaranteed Interview Scheme
BCHC offers a guaranteed interview to any candidate who is Disabled, Neurodiverse, has a hidden or long term health condition as recognised under the Equality Act 2010, providing they meet the essential criteria of the job role, as set out in the person specification.We encourage applicants to submit their applications and to request any reasonable adjustments where required.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Birmingham is a fantastic place to live and we serve a wide range of people and communities. BCHC are an advocate of diversity and strive to mirror the community we serve as much possible.
We are committed to and actively promote equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals from all areas of the community who meet the specific criteria are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage/civil partnerships.
Promoting Workforce Equality
In response to data held by BCHC which demonstrates that individuals from particular protected characteristics are under-represented, BCHC are striving to redress these imbalances. In order to do this, the Trust is committed to the employment and career development of individuals with these protected characteristics.As part of this commitment and given this under-representation, the Trust guarantees an interview to any applicants from under-represented groups for positions at Band 8a and above whose application meets the essential criteria for the post as detailed on the Person Specification.
The Trust is currently under-represented in terms of people who identify as Black, Minority Ethnic (BME) and welcomes applicants from these communities. Selection will be on the basis of merit. In order to ensure the diversity of our workforce and understand the differing needs of our communities, the Trust is committed to the principles of Positive Action.
Flexible Working
Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BCHC) supports a variety of flexible working practices and, where possible (given our range of services and community settings) dependent upon the requirements associated with the role, will actively consider requests made and support these where practically possible.This may include hybrid patterns of working to enable colleagues to request the flexibility of a mixture of home/base working.
In accordance with the NHS People Promise, the Trust is committed to facilitating a healthy work/life balance that is essential to health and wellbeing and to making BCHC a ‘Great Place to Work’. We will be happy to discuss and consider all requests relating to working patterns and hours at your interview so please do ask!
Using Artificial Intelligence
Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust acknowledges Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Generative AI (GenAI) tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, Gemini etc; are powerful tools that can help you in various stages of your job application and how they can be used in certain circumstances during your application process with BCHC.You can read more about acceptable use on our internet pages here
Benefits of working for us:
- Full NHS terms and conditions including extensive holidays, Agenda for Change pay with enhancements
- Attractive relocation payment if you relocate to the local area.
- Discounts for local and national retailers
- Dedicated well-being services for all employees
- Flexible working where possible