LET’S TALK: A CAREER IN SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY

Imagine what it would be like to struggle with saying what you want to. For many people, this is a reality: 20% of people in the UK will experience communication difficulties at some point in their lives. Speech and language therapists are trained to support anyone struggling in this way, from a young child with autism struggling to find their words, to a teenager with a stammer, to an adult who has lost the ability to speak after a stroke. If you are empathetic, a good problem-solver and interested in language and communications, this could be a career to consider.

What does a speech and language therapist do?

Speech and language therapists can work with individuals of all ages, from babies to older adults. There are two main areas of practice in speech and language therapy: communication and dysphagia.

Communication

In this field, speech and language specialists support those with speech difficulties due to language development delays, stammering, voice disorders, autism and social communication issues, learning disabilities, brain injuries or stroke.

Dysphagia

In this field, speech and language therapists help people learn to eat, drink and swallow safely after illness or surgery.

A day in the life 

For a speech and language therapist (SLT), no two days are the same, as each client will have different support needs. But here’s an example of what a typical day in the life of an SLT might look like:

9:00 am: Start the day

Check your schedule, review patient notes and prepare activities or resources for the day’s therapy sessions.

10:00 am: Block of therapy sessions

Work with children or adults in one-to-one or group sessions, using personalised activities to help improve their communication or swallowing skills.

1:00 pm: Follow-ups 

Meet with parents, teachers or other healthcare professionals to discuss progress and make sure everyone is working towards the same goals.

3:00 pm: Plan ahead

Update patient records, write reports and prepare for tomorrow’s sessions.

Skills and qualities

Here are a few skills and qualities that employers or universities might be looking for in individuals applying for speech and language therapy roles:

• Good communication and listening
• Creativity (for designing resources for children!)
• Interest or passion for psychology and/or language
• Organisation and planning skills
• Interpersonal skills (also known as ‘people’ skills, that is, empathy, teamwork and being able to deal with conflict well)

It can be daunting to think about breaking into a career that you might have little to no experience in, but you may have more experience than you think! Part-time jobs and volunteering work that you can relate to healthcare, languages or communication will be particularly helpful if you want to study speech and language therapy. Make sure you can explain how you can apply the skills you have learned to the speech and language therapy field.

Help, I don’t have any experience!

Don’t worry if you don’t have any work experience yet; there are many opportunities out there for gaining relevant skills. You could volunteer with young people (maybe at schools or youth clubs) to develop general communication skills, and with older adults with speech difficulties through a brain injury charity or a care home. Take things one step further by seeking out an opportunity to shadow a speech and language therapist or similar professional: reach out to NHS trusts in your area or private SLTs.

Another less obvious thing to do is work part-time in customer service. This might seem far removed from speech and language therapy, but it will actually boost your skills in dealing with people. Retail and hospitality roles are great for this.

Study and training

Becoming a speech and language therapist might start with studying an approved speech and language therapy degree at university. However, a degree in psychology or education is a valid starting point too, as you can go on to a specialist Master’s degree afterwards. SLT degree courses combine academic learning with practical placements, giving students the chance to develop their skills in settings such as hospitals, schools and community services.

After completing your degree, you’ll need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) before you can work as a speech and language therapist in the UK. Once qualified, SLTs can work across a range of settings, including the NHS, education, charities and private healthcare.

Another option is a degree apprenticeship, which allows you to combine university study with paid, hands-on work. Apprentices spend time learning while also building real-world experience in a healthcare setting. These opportunities are still developing, so it’s worth checking NHS careers websites and apprenticeship listings regularly for new roles.

Employers in the Liverpool City Region

Our region is home to major healthcare employers where speech and language therapists work, including Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cygnet and Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust. Some of these organisations provide opportunities to learn more about healthcare careers, including apprenticeships, placements and future job opportunities.

If you’re considering speech and language therapy, it’s a good idea to start exploring university courses, NHS careers pages and apprenticeship opportunities to find the route that works best for you.

Is SLT the right career for you? 

Many speech and language therapists describe their job as a highly rewarding role where you can make a real positive difference to others’ lives. If you enjoy working with people, solving problems and making a positive impact, this could be the career for you.

Visit the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists for information about working as an SLT, professional development and career pathways. Attend careers events, university open days, local healthcare events, and NHS career fairs to meet experts who can answer your questions about getting into speech and language therapy.