How to become a locum speech and language therapist in the UK
How to become a locum speech and language therapist in the UK: HCPC + RCSLT membership, EHCP work, school commissioning, private clinic and tribunal expert routes.
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.
Prerequisites: HCPC registration as a Speech and Language Therapist, and the right to work in the UK. Regulator: Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
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.
Step-by-step
- 1
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.
- 2
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.
- 3
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.
- 4
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.
- 5
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.
- 6
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.
- 7
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.
Documents to have ready
- HCPC registration certificate
- RCSLT membership + Certificate to Practise
- ICO data protection registration
- Enhanced DBS (Child Workforce for paediatric / school work)
- Occupational health + immunisations
- Dysphagia / FEES competency evidence (if relevant)
- Safeguarding Level 2 / 3, AAC or specialism certificates
- Sample EHCP report (redacted) for SEN commissioners
- Indemnity certificate
Keep expiry dates tracked. Sessional sends reminders 30 days before each document lapses.
Common 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
Keep the admin painless from day one
Sessional tracks every session, invoice, expense and document so you spend your evenings with family, not spreadsheets. Free to start.
Related
Last reviewed April 2026. Rates and regulator details change. If something looks off, let us know.