Senior Speech and Language Therapist

Orange Recruitment, in partnership with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), is delighted to invite applications for Staff Grade Speech and Language Therapists to join the rapidly expanding Education Therapy Service (ETS). This is a unique opportunity to contribute meaningfully to inclusive education and to support students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) across Ireland.

As part of the NCSE’s interdisciplinary regional teams, you will play a key role in promoting participation, independence and well-being for children and young people within their school environments.

As a Special School Senior Grade Speech and Language Therapist, you will:

• Manage your own caseload while providing supervision to staff grade OTs
• Deliver evidence-informed OT supports across the multi-tiered model
• Lead needs identification, assessment, planning and evaluation of interventions
• Collaborate closely with school staff, parents/guardians, NEPS, HSE services and NCSE colleagues
• Provide professional guidance in relation to adaptive equipment required in school settings
• Develop evidence-informed resources for teachers and students
• Deliver Teacher Professional Learning (TPL), including workshops, seminars, coaching and modelling
• Attend team and school planning meetings as required
• Contribute to clinical governance, research, evaluation and service development
• Support student placements and supervise OT students
• Maintain high professional standards in line with CORU requirements and NCSE governance

This role requires daily travel to assigned schools within your allocated region.

Essential Criteria (Senior Grade)

Candidates must, on or before 31 March 2026, meet all of the following:

• Be registered as an Speech and Language Therapist with the CORU Speech and Language Therapists Registration Board
• Have at least 3 years’ experience working as an Speech and Language Therapist
• Hold a full driving licence and have access to their own transport
• Have experience delivering Speech and Language therapy supports in schools
• Have experience developing and delivering profession-related workshops and/or seminars
• Have experience liaising and/or collaborating with other professionals and disciplines

Desirable Criteria (Senior Grade)

• Understanding of the Irish education system
• High level of interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively within teams
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Integrity, reflective capacity and an ethical approach to practice
• Ability to use relevant technology and software
• Ability to produce high-quality reports and statistical information
• Experience working as an OT in children and young people’s services
• Experience in change management or implementing innovative practice
• Ability to build productive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders

Salary & Conditions (Senior Grade)

• Salary scale: €63,912 – €76,007 (PPC rate)
• 30 days annual leave
• Permanent Civil Service appointment
• Structured supervision and strong therapy governance
• Access to CPD, reflective practice and interdisciplinary learning
• Standard civil service terms, including pension, probation and leave provisions

Why Join the NCSE?

• Be part of a national, interdisciplinary service driving positive change in inclusive education
• Engage in meaningful, relationship-based work with schools and students
• Supported by a structured therapy governance framework, supervision and CPD
• Competitive public sector salary scale
• Family-friendly policies with flexible working arrangements where appropriate
• Opportunity to influence and shape the future of therapy in education

Locations

Opportunities are available across multiple counties, Therapists will be assigned to specific special schools or a defined group of schools and will travel within their local area.

How to Apply

Orange Recruitment is administering this competition on behalf of the NCSE.

Applications must be submitted on or before 3.00pm on 31st March 2026. Interviews are expected to take place in April/May 2026.