Advanced Speech and Language Therapist

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; Rugeley; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Part time

Job summary

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an Advanced Speech and Language Therapist to co-ordinate paediatric community caseloads across South Staffordshire from the Rugeley base. The role includes leadership responsibilities, supervision of junior staff, and contributing to service development.

The post is a fixed-term 25.5-hour contract (0.71 FTE) for 12 months with potential cross-site clinical work in Cannock, Lichfield or Barton.

Qualifications

• Degree in Speech and Language Therapy is required.
• HCPC registration is essential.
• Masters level modules or equivalent postgraduate courses in the area of clinical practice are desirable.
• Experience coordinating services and leading teams is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and develop the paediatric SLT service for children in South Staffordshire.
• Provide leadership and supervision to junior staff; carry out appraisals.
• Lead clinical governance activities and supervise clinical practice.
• Assess, diagnose and manage children with speech, language and communication needs.
• Provide highly specialist training to staff and external partners as required.
• Attend tribunals or meetings as requested by the Team Leader.

Skills

Leadership

Clinical supervision

Coordination

Paediatric SLT

Education

Degree in Speech and Language Therapy

HCPC registration

Masters level modules

Postgraduate courses in area of clinical practice

Job description

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Advanced Speech and Language Therapist

The closing date is 10 November 2026

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. If it is identified that you require sponsorship to undertake this role your application may be withdrawn

We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Speech and Language Therapist to coordinate the community clinic caseloads within the South of the county. The post is a fixed term post based in the Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy Team in South Staffordshire. The post holder will manage a community clinic caseload or special schools clinical responsibility and provide second opinions for colleagues. The successful applicant will carry out leadership duties within the team, attend tribunals if required, and support junior colleagues with supervision and appraisals.

The post holder will be required to work closely with fellow coordinators to support staff and manage caseloads effectively. The post holder will hold a caseload that predominantly covers clinics, nurseries and schools in Lichfield or Burntwood and will operate from the main base in Rugeley. There may be some travel required to attend team meetings and supervision in other settings across the geographical area.

This post would be suitable for a current band 7 therapist, or an experienced band 6 therapist who is looking for the opportunity to develop leadership experience and to further develop clinical skills.

Main duties of the job

1. To co-ordinate and develop the service to children with speech, language and communication needs.
2. Lead and provide advice to Health commissioners when Speech and Language Therapy needs are discussed.
3. Contribute to the planning and service development meetings for children as requested.
4. Carry out appraisals for identified Speech and Language Therapy Service staff.
5. To regularly supervise and mentor team members including newly qualified staff. To support new staff with induction processes.
6. Assess, diagnose and manage children who present with speech, language and communication difficulties.
7. Provide highly specialist clinical support and training to service users to help them identify children who are at risk of having speech, language and communication delays/disorders.
8. Provide written programmes to support therapy as required.
9. Provide written advice to contribute to the assessment and review process undertaken by the Local Authority for children who have special educational needs (EHCP)
10. Contribute to the development of Individual Education Plans for specific children.
11. To attend mediation meetings and tribunals when requested by the Team Leader.

About us

Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.

We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.

We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.

We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.

Please note, we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications

Please note: If you use Artificial Intelligence (AI) as part of your application, we encourage you to review the Trust's guidance on the use of AI within the recruitment process. Further information can be found on Join Us :: Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust or www.mpft.nhs.uk/joinus

Job responsibilities

This is a 25.5 hour fixed term contract for 12 months cover, with 0.71 permanent part-time hours incorporated.

This is an Advanced Practitioner position requiring the post holder to hold leadership responsibilities across the service, as part of the Senior Paediatric Group.

This highly specialised clinician will coordinate, innovate, advise and further develop the service to children and their families across Staffordshire. This will include working in health promotion projects within the team, to support service users and external partners.

The post holder will work strategically with the other Speech and Language Therapy team across the region.

The post holder will be responsible for ensuring that staff who deliver a service to children and young people are supported to develop their own clinical skills and understand and adhere to the service model that has been agreed.

There is a requirement for flexible working and a willingness to take on different responsibilities according to the needs of the service, including research in the identified clinical/service area and the provision of training within the Speech and Language Team and to other service providers when required.

The post comprises both clinical and leadership work. Clinical work may be in Cannock, Lichfield or Barton.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Degree in Speech and Language Therapy or Equivalent
• Registration with HCPC
• Modules at Masters Level or Equivalent post graduate clinical courses within area of clinical expertise
• Further clinical study relevant to clinical practice

Experience

• Significant experience in the clinical specialism including assessment and management of children's SLCN.
• Supporting children, young people, families and carers in dealing with the impact of communication impairment.
• Working in a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience of negotiation and conflict management in clinical situations.
• Experience of leading clinical audit in specialism.
• Experience of effective leadership within a team
• Significant experience of supporting children, young families and carers in promoting health and wellbeing.
• Evidence of project work.
• Significant experience of managing and implementing change.

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.

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust