Assistants/Support Workers

Speech and language therapists are supported in their work by assistant practitioners and other support workers. They are employed to act in a supporting role and under the direction of a qualified SLT.

These support workers may undertake a variety of tasks, including:

supporting clients to develop communication skills
developing, preparing and maintaining therapeutic materials
working with clients on a one-to-one basis, with regular monitoring and therapy programme adjustment by an SLT
supporting and facilitating group therapy activities
preparing and restoring environments for speech and language therapy
clerical and administrative tasks

The employing speech and language therapy service and its client groups will determine the roles and responsibilities of SLT supporters.

SLT supporters may be expected to work with children, elderly people, adults and people with learning disabilities. They may work with a variety of client groups, under the supervision of a speech and language therapist.

Becoming an SLT assistant/support worker

RCSLT policy statement on Assistant Education and Training