Staff stories
Lizzie - speech and language therapist in the NHS
What does a day in your role look like?
My role as a speech and language therapist involves supporting children and young people's speech, language, and communication skills through a wide range of assessment and interventions.
I work in the community, and this involves going into:
- Mainstream schools
- Complex needs settings
- Early years settings
- Patient homes
- Clinics
We also provide video calls when necessary.
With additional specialist training, I also work with children and young people who have eating, drinking, and swallowing needs (dysphagia), helping to make mealtimes safer and more enjoyable.
No two days are the same. I might spend one day carrying out assessments and working closely with teachers, parents, and other professionals. Then another day delivering therapy sessions, writing reports, or observing mealtimes - helping to plan the most effective support for each child or young person.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
What I love most about my work is the variety and the impact. It's incredibly rewarding to see children and young people progress with their skills, whether that's improving their speech, communicating more confidently, or enjoying mealtimes safely. I also really enjoy being part of a collaborative NHS team, where we share ideas, learn from each other, and celebrate small successes together.
What has your experience of career progression in early years been and what support did you receive?
After qualifying with a degree in speech and language therapy, I started as a newly qualified therapist and was supported by a supervisor to complete my competencies. I had plenty of opportunities to shadow experienced colleagues and received regular supervision. This helped me build confidence and develop my skills. Now, I work more independently, but supervision and guidance are always available when needed, ensuring ongoing professional support and development.
There are also plenty of opportunities to explore preferred areas of speech and language therapy and develop these skills further. For example, specialisms such as:
- Developmental language disorder (DLD)
- Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)
- Cleft palate
- Deafness
- Stammering
- Dysphagia
What would you say to someone looking to join the service?
If you enjoy working with children and young people, joining this service is a fantastic opportunity to learn, grow, and make a real difference. You'll support a wide range of speech, language, and communication needs, while working in a friendly, supportive, and collaborative team. The role is varied and flexible, allowing you to adapt to individual needs and make a meaningful impact every day.
