Career guide
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
HCPC registration as a Speech and Language Therapist requiredA locum speech and language therapist covers clinical work for the organisations that need them, one session at a time, instead of holding a single salaried post. Depending on the profession and the booking that can mean self-employment, or PAYE through an agency, a staff bank or an umbrella company: the steps below say which is usual. This guide walks through everything you need to do to start, in order, and the common pitfalls that catch people in their first year.
Guide | 7 steps
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 to 2 years post-qualification experience before pure locum practice is the norm.
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.
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 to £48/hr.
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 to £1,500. Payment terms 60 to 90 days are standard: budget for cashflow.
Tribunal expert witness reports pay £1,500 to £3,500 with £800 to £1,200/day attendance. Formal expert witness training is usually expected. Build relationships with SOS!SEN, IPSEA-referred firms, and local SEN solicitors.
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.
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
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.
Checklist | Documents
On Plus and Pro, Sessional stores these and emails you a reminder 30, 14, 7 and 1 days before each one expires.
Checklist | First year
Related
Last reviewed April 2026. Rates and regulator details change. If something looks off, let us know.
From the first booking
Keeps the records, does the sums. Filing and advice stay with you and your accountant.
Sessional tracks every session and invoice from day one on the free Basic plan, with no card. Expenses and documents come with Plus.