Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist

NHS; Bedford; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job description

Job summary

We are delighted to offer this 8a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapy post based within our Central Bedfordshire Team. Delivering high quality support into special schools, providing outreach support to complex cases in mainstream schools and leading on important service projects relating to complex needs.

The post is suitable for an experienced and confident therapist with specialist skills in the area of Complex communication needs, AAC and dysphagia with demonstrable experience of effective working within schools, and of multidisciplinary working.

You should have the ability to work flexibly, and demonstrate initiative and confidence around clinical decision making.

If you have skills and experience in the areas above, then please do get in touch for an informal discussion - we would love to hear from you. We will also encourage less experience therapists who are looking to develop their skills in this area at a Band 7 level.

The service provides:

1. Full Trust and service induction.
2. Formal and informal training for the role, including shadowing opportunities.
3. Regular clinical supervision and mentoring.
4. Excellent Continued Professional Development opportunities including in house training and external courses.
5. Reflective clinical forums and buddying systems.
6. Regular whole service and locality team meetings.

For further information or to arrange a visit please contact: Lisa Delafield, Deputy Service Manager - [e-mail]

Main duties of the job

Use highly specialist clinical skills to effectively manage a caseload of children with complex difficulties in speech, language, communication and/or eating and drinking (dysphagia) and AAC in line with the service delivery model.

Work closely with families and schools to provide effective SLT support.

Independently and effectively identify, assess, and diagnose and treat communication/swallowing impairments.

To make a differential diagnosis on the basis of evidence from assessment and design appropriate treatment based on analysis of profile of need.

Be responsible for developing the school's Communication charter, identifying appropriate universal targeted and specialist levels of support.

Work with the wider special schools team, schools and parents to co-produce and implement an agreed universal, targeted and specialist SALT offer in special schools, taking responsibility for the implementation and communication of this offer.

Provide second opinions or support to junior colleagues as appropriate.

Provide outreach support to complex cases in mainstream schools in Central Bedfordshire, establishing a pathway for this provision.

About us

Rated 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission, we are proud to provide high quality innovative services across most of the east of England that enable people to receive care closer to home and live healthier lives.

There's one reason why our services are outstanding - and that's our amazing staff who, for the seventh year running, rated us incredibly highly in the national staff survey.

If you share our passion for innovative and high-quality care delivery, then please submit your application and join us on our exciting journey as a leading-edge specialist community provider. All are welcome to apply and our promise to you is a culture which prioritises staff engagement and development.

Date posted: 14 April 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 7

Salary: £46,148 to £60,504 a year per annum, pro-rata

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number: 448-BCHS-7140537

Job responsibilities

Demonstrate specific speech and language therapy support programmes and the use of equipment to specific teachers or groups of staff.

Contribute to relevant research, audit, and development work within the schools, relating to the Speech Language and Communication curriculum.

Attend relevant meetings as required within school or as part of wider SLT team.

Work collaboratively and liaise with a wide range of professions across a variety of locations and agencies.

Attend and report to case conferences/review meetings etc. for patients on the caseload with support as requested for situations where conflict management/negotiation may be required.

Use good interpersonal skills to listen well and counsel patients and carers, so providing support and empathy without prejudice.

Establish and maintain positive interpersonal relationships with other staff, which are characterised by open communication, trust, and respect.

Communicate effectively with patients with communication problems where difficulties in understanding exist, using observation, listening and empathy.

Use negotiation skills in the management of conflict across a range of situations.

Be able to plan, organise and prioritise own workload, clinical and non-clinical.

Assume delegated tasks as requested by line manager, including participation in working groups, policy development groups to contribute to interagency/multi-disciplinary team building and policy development, advising on the implementation of AAC systems and relevant areas of the curriculum.

Work within defined departmental and national protocols/policies and professional code of conduct.

Participate in the development of local clinical guidelines informed by evidence for clinical specialism.

Demonstrate knowledge of, and adhere to RCSLT Professional and Clinical and National and Local Clinical Guidelines.

Have a robust working knowledge of relevant statutory legislation and policy including: Safeguarding Children, The Children and Families Act 2014, delivery of SLT relating to SEND procedures, and other relevant legal frameworks.

Participate in the implementation of service/Trust Clinical Governance Plan.

Take delegated lead on the implementation of team objectives or projects in liaison with peers.

To advise line manager on issues of service delivery including shortfall, and service pressures, and clinical risk.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

Essential

• Speech and Language Therapy degree
• HCPC registration
• RCSLT membership
• Relevant post graduate training

Experience

Essential

• Relevant specialist experience as qualified SLT in AAC and complex needs.
• Demonstrates an in-depth knowledge of a broad range of clinical disorders, assessments and appropriate therapeutic interventions in children with complex communication needs.
• Demonstrates an in depth knowledge of educational and clinical issues/developments relating to children with complex needs.

Desirable

• Experience of working in a special school.
• Dysphagia experience
• Knowledge and understanding of the philosophy and set up of special schools.
• Experience of providing second opinions.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Inclusive approach, promoting involvement and engagement.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with patients with communication problems where difficulties to understanding exist, using observation, listening and empathy.
• Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance/audit.
• Able to plan, organise and prioritise own workload, clinical and non-clinical.
• Demonstrates ability to be a good team member, understanding the roles of others and assume leadership responsibilities.

Desirable

• Leadership training.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Employer details

Employer name: Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust

Address: Woburn Court, 2 Railton Road, Kempston, Bedford, MK427PN

Employer's website: https://www.cambscommunityservices.nhs.uk/careers