Training as SaLT

[Advicechange]

I’m currently a TA with a degree and I work in early years. As many EY TAs, I teach phonics and I’m the TA responsible for our language and communication screening. I’ve previously delivered speech and language interventions.

I am starting to consider my future options. I thought I wanted to teach but my current position has completely changed my view and I now know I do not want to teach. However I am thinking of training as a speech and language therapist. Is there anyone here doing such a role within schools/education or would I be looking at nhs/clinical settings?

I would need to do the masters to practice which would be a tricky year as the universities offering the course are not very local to me so I want to consider my options first. This is a longer term plan so is there anything I could do in my current setting to support my skill set and enhance a potential career change?

Hi OP, i would highly recommend you do your search on vacancy rate for speech and language in your area first before spending money and time on any Allied health professional course or doing MSc in SLT. It is very hard to secure a job in this field. I know graduates in this field have ended back as TA's as NHS does not have funding to spend on non urgent care. Speech and language is not live threatening therefore low priority. Univerities mislead students that the demand is high and you will secure a job straightaway because they need funding to run. If you are willing to relocate, in othet areas of the country where there is less compition you might be lucky.