Career change to Speech and Language assistant or Occupational Therapist assistant

[makeitorbakeit]

Are there any Speech and Language therapy assistants or Occupational Therapy assistants around that would answer some questions please?

I am in desperate need to change career and these are two options I have come across as something I might like to do.

I am based in Scotland incase this makes any difference to my questions:

• Is there a high demand for these roles?
• What would be the best way to get into these roles? Volunteering first perhaps?
• Is it possible to do these roles focused on children rather than adults or is it a bit of both? (My background is with children hence asking)
• Would you recommend either of these roles?
• Any pros and cons to consider?

Any advice or pointers would be much appreciated. Thank you!

I am a speech therapist, but honestly I don't think an assistant is a career path you can train for. Would you consider a SLT degree apprenticeship?
The turnover of our assistants is incredibly low. The assistants in my team have been with us for 35, 30 and 25 years. Prior to this, one was a care assistant, one was a dental nurse and one was a patients Mum who had an interest. Other departments recruiting more recently have largely appointed qualified slts as assistants. Often from overseas as they wait to get their qualifications recognised in this country.

@Nevertrustacop do you enjoy being an SLT and would you recommend it as a career? I'm also considering, same as OP, and wondering whether to try for assistant before commiting to training.

As far as I'm aware, there aren't really 'assistant' roles. At least not in the NHS.

You could look at Therapy Support Practitioner roles, I think they are Band 4 (about £25,000pa).

Thanks for the replies.

Unfortunately I’m not in a position to do an apprenticeship or go to Uni etc as I need to work to pay the bills. Im not sure

I will take a look at Therapy support practitioner. Thank you.

I’m a paediatric NHS SLT and we have a team of assistants who support the therapists in my team to deliver interventions, make resources etc.

There’s no specific qualifications needed and we offer lots of in house training and support to our assistant teams.

There’s usually a large number of applicants when posts are advertised. Our assistants have usually worked in childcare or schools.

We have a pretty low turnover when it comes to staffing which I assume is because they enjoy what they do!

I'm in Scotland.

There are more jobs in OT than SALT. More likely to work with children in a SALT role so your background will stand you in good stead.
For adult roles they'll be looking for background with people with disabilities or communication difficulties.
As PP has said people often stay in speech therapy assistant roles for years so low turnover.

For OT or generic therapy assistant roles they will be looking for a background in a caring role or a role supporting people with disabilities. There are posts in hospitals and in community.
Usually start as band 3 but also higher level assistant roles at band 4. Band 3 roles can be working alongside therapists/directly supervised more.

Both are fabulous, really rewarding jobs, particularly if you get a band 4 role with more of your own caseload.