Career guide

How to become a locum speech and language therapist in the UK

7guide steps

How to become a locum speech and language therapist in the UK: HCPC and RCSLT membership, EHCP work, school commissioning, and private clinic and tribunal work.

At a glance | Regulator

Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
HCPC registration as a Speech and Language Therapist required

A locum speech and language therapist covers clinical work on a session-by-session basis for the organisations that need them, as a self-employed professional rather than a salaried employee. This guide walks through everything you need to do to start, in order, and the common pitfalls that catch people in their first year.

Typical rate
Typical UK locum SLT rate (2026): NHS Band 6 £25–£30/hr, agency Band 7 £36–£48/hr, school commissioning £45–£70/hr, private session £75–£130/hr.

Guide | 7 steps

Step by step.

01

HCPC + RCSLT registration

HCPC registration is mandatory; "Speech and Language Therapist" is a protected title. RCSLT membership is strongly expected – many schools and ICBs require an RCSLT Certificate to Practise (CTP). Minimum 1–2 years post-qualification experience before pure locum practice is the norm.

02

Pick a specialism

SLT demand is intensely specialism-driven: paediatric language and SLCN, autism, dysphagia / VFS / FEES, stammering, voice, adult acquired (stroke, head injury), AAC. Paediatric SEN dominates the private market; dysphagia commands premium in acute NHS agency.

03

For NHS locum: agencies + NHSP + trust banks

Sanctuary Personnel, Globe Locums, Your World Healthcare, and ProSLT (SLT-specific) cover most NHS locum work. Register with a couple plus NHSP and your local trust bank. Agency Band 7 work sits £36–£48/hr.

04

For schools and EHCP work: build direct referrals

Schools often procure direct through SENCOs or SLA providers, bypassing agencies. Get listed as a named SLT on EHCPs (parents drive demand). Full EHCP assessment reports run £750–£1,500. Payment terms 60–90 days are standard – budget for cashflow.

05

For tribunal expert work: Bond Solon + solicitor network

Tribunal expert witness reports pay £1,500–£3,500 with £800–£1,200/day attendance. Bond Solon expert witness training is the minimum standard. Build relationships with SOS!SEN, IPSEA-referred firms, and local SEN solicitors.

06

Keep dysphagia competencies current

If you’re working in acute or community dysphagia, local sign-off on VFS / FEES / modified diet competencies matters. Clinical risk and medico-legal exposure both rise if competencies slip. Most trusts require annual refreshers.

07

Register with ICO and set up peer supervision

ICO registration is non-negotiable for private practice. RCSLT expects documented peer supervision for Certified Member status. Both are easy to miss in year one.

Once you are registered

Once you are registered, keep the admin in one place.

Log every session with its date, rate, and workplace, send invoices that chase themselves, keep your documents current, and watch your tax reserve build as you go.

Every session tracked from logged through to paid

Checklist | Documents

Documents to have ready.

  • 01HCPC registration certificate
  • 02RCSLT membership + Certificate to Practise
  • 03ICO data protection registration
  • 04Enhanced DBS (Child Workforce for paediatric / school work)
  • 05Occupational health + immunisations
  • 06Dysphagia / FEES competency evidence (if relevant)
  • 07Safeguarding Level 2 / 3, AAC or specialism certificates
  • 08Sample EHCP report (redacted) for SEN commissioners
  • 09Indemnity certificate

Sessional sends reminders 30 days before each expiry.

Checklist | First year

First-year pitfalls.

  • •Schools paying 60–90 days out. Budget holders change, and locum contracts have limited teeth
  • •Over-servicing EHCP clients. Parental pressure expands scope beyond the original quote
  • •Dysphagia work without current local competencies. Clinical and medico-legal risk
  • •Not charging for report writing separately from session time
  • •RCSLT Certificate to Practise lapsing because contract work didn’t require it, then a school tender blocks you for 3 months

Related

Last reviewed April 2026. Rates and regulator details change. If something looks off, let us know.

From the first booking

Run your locum work like a business. Minus the accountant.

Keeps the records, does the sums. Filing and advice stay with you and your accountant.

Sessional tracks every session, invoice, expense, and document from day one. No card to start.

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