3316 - Highly Specialist Adult Speech & Language Therapist

NHS; Barnsley; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Barnsley is seeking a Band 7 Highly Specialist Team Lead for the Adult Inpatient Speech and Language Therapy Service. This role involves providing clinical leadership, driving service developments, and overseeing care for adults with communication and swallowing difficulties. Candidates should have a degree in Speech and Language Therapy, relevant registration, and substantial experience in dysphagia management. The position offers robust supervision and opportunities for professional development within a supportive environment.

Benefits

Opportunities for training

Supportive team environment

Qualifications

• Degree in Speech and Language Pathology and Therapy required.
• Current registration with the Health Professions Council needed.
• Experience in adult dysphagia essential.
• Clinical competence in assessment and management of dysphagia.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical and professional leadership in the service.
• Lead and develop staff for enhanced patient care.
• Oversee clinical provision for clients with dysphagia.
• Measure and evaluate clinical practice.

Skills

Clinical skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Leadership

Organisational skills

Education

Degree in Speech and Language Pathology and Therapy

RCSLT Certificate to Practice

Post Graduate Certificate in adult dysphagia

Job description

Job Summary

We are excited to offer a one-year fixed term or secondment opportunity for a Band 7 Highly Specialist Team Lead to join our Adult Inpatient Speech and Language Therapy Service to cover maternity leave. This is an excellent opportunity for an established Band 7, or an experienced Band 6 ready to take the next step, to develop leadership, clinical expertise and service development skills within a supportive and forward‑thinking team.

You will provide clinical and professional leadership across adult inpatient areas including general medicine, surgery, stroke and critical care, supporting high‑quality, evidence‑based care. The role includes leading and developing staff, driving service improvement initiatives, and working with the wider multidisciplinary team to deliver outstanding patient care.

We offer robust supervision, opportunities for further training, and the chance to influence and shape SLT provision within the hospital. Please get in touch if you would like any further information about this role.

Main Duties of the Job

• To be responsible for providing a highly specialist service to Barnsley Hospital for adults with a variety of communication and swallowing difficulties with dysphagia.
• To develop, provide and participate in the training and support of other professionals working with this client group.
• To oversee the clinical provision of input to adults with dysphagia and communication difficulties and to provide assessment and advice to the client group, their carers and other professionals.
• To hold responsibility for own caseload and undertake the measurement and evaluation of own clinical work and practice and that of the acute SLT team, through the use of evidence‑based projects, practice development work, audit and outcome measures, working within clearly defined operational policies and procedures.

About Us

We reserve the right to close positions early.

Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is a high performing Trust, currently rated Good by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and achieving significant progress in the delivery of our strategic objectives, including our ambition to be the best Place to Work.

We scored best in the country in the most recent NHS Staff Survey for teamwork, compassionate leadership, and supporting work/life balance. In 2024's survey, the Trust also scored above average in every theme of the NHS People Promise the promise NHS colleagues make to each other to improve the experience of working in the NHS for everyone.

We are proud of the commitment of our colleagues to ensuring a strong and sustainable future and our organisation is highly valued by our local communities.

There has never been a better time to join Barnsley Hospital. It is moving at pace and a we can do this attitude is evident right through the organisation.

Barnsley Hospital NHS FT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity and fair treatment to all applicants.

For individuals who may require sponsorship under the skilled worker or health & care visa route please use the link on the right hand side of the advert to check your eligibility, please note that band 2 and 3 entry roles are no longer eligible for sponsorship.

The cost of the DBS (criminal records check) for Band 6 and above roles will only be met by the successful candidate(s) through salary deduction.

Details

• Date posted: 22 December 2025
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 7
• Salary: £47,810 to £54,710 a year
• Contract: Fixed term
• Duration: 12 months
• Working pattern: Full‑time, Flexible working
• Reference number: C9163-3316E-12-25
• Job location: Pogmoor Road, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S75 2EP

Person Specification

Qualifications (Essential)

• Degree in Speech and Language Pathology and Therapy, or equivalent.
• RCSLT Certificate to Practice as a Speech and Language Therapist.
• Current registration with the Health Professions Council.
• Post Graduate Certificate, accreditation or equivalent in adult dysphagia.

Qualifications (Desirable)

• Advanced Post Graduate Certificate in Adult Dysphagia.

Knowledge and Awareness (Essential)

• Highly developed substantial specialist experience of a range of clinical protocols in adult dysphagia.
• Proven clinical competence in the assessment, diagnosis and management of adults with dysphagia and communication difficulties.
• Experience coordinating the work of others.
• Experience of line management/supervision or a keen interest in developing these skills.
• Substantial experience in developing, writing, delivering and evaluating training to others including groups.
• Substantial knowledge of contemporary issues in the Health, Education and Social Care Community relevant to the client group.
• Substantial knowledge of the functions of related professions with this client group.

Knowledge and Awareness (Desirable)

• Specialist experience of a range of clinical protocols in paediatric dysphagia including neonates, infants and children.

Skills and Abilities (Essential)

• Significant relevant clinical skills gained during a post‑graduate period.
• Skills to promote the service to the public and other health, education and social service professionals.
• Understand the need for confidentiality.
• Awareness of health and safety requirements.

Personal Attributes (Essential)

• Written and verbal communication skills which allow professional information to be conveyed in an accurate and organised manner, taking account of the communication setting.
• Effective communicator in a variety of settings with a variety of different people including ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Ability to use initiative.
• Proven organisational and time management skills.

Personal Attributes (Desirable)

• Flexible attitude to working hours.

Experience (Essential)

• Proven relevant continuous professional development in working with adults with communication and swallowing disorders dysphagia.

Experience (Desirable)

• Experience working with adults with communication and swallowing disorders in an acute hospital.

Values Based Questions (Essential)

• In around 100 words please describe what Equality & Diversity means to you and why they are important.
• In around 100 words please describe what motivates you to do a good job.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.