Band 7 Clinical Lead Speech & Language Therapist - LD&A

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

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Birmingham is seeking an experienced Speech and Language Therapist to lead the Autism Intensive Support team. The role involves providing clinical leadership, developing effective pathways for autism care, and ensuring support for clients with complex needs. Candidates should hold a relevant degree and be HCPC registered, with extensive experience in mental health or learning disabilities. This permanent role offers a competitive salary and a chance to make a difference in the community.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable evidence of continuous professional development.
• Significant post-qualification experience in mental health or autism.
• Compassionate and inspirational leadership capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical leadership in Speech and Language Therapy.
• Support oversight and coordination for individuals with autism.
• Develop clinical pathways and ensure effective support.

Skills

Leadership

Clinical expertise in Speech and Language Therapy

Interpersonal skills

Understanding of autism and learning disabilities

Education

Relevant professional degree

Current HCPC registration

Job description

Job Summary

The post holder will provide clinical leadership for Speech and Language Therapy across Birmingham and Solihull as part of the developing Autism Intensive Support service within BSMHFT. The post holder will be responsible for ensuring the appropriate communication, support and intervention takes place with service users, families and other stakeholders to offer immediate care and support for those deemed at risk of admission to a mental health hospital bed. The post holder will offer intensive / enhanced support with safe and timely discharge into the community where required.

The post holder is to be responsible for the development and maintenance of effective clinical pathways between an Autism Intensive Support service within BSMHFT and other services (both internal and external). They will provide additional leadership and guidance to others in risk assessment, risk management and positive problem solving when supporting people with autism and co‑existing conditions requiring intensive and crisis support and lead on debriefs following incidents.

The post holder will provide specialist knowledge and skill when delivering autism‑evidenced based therapeutic assessment and interventions across the caseload with individuals that have diverse needs in language, communication, swallowing and social interaction skills. The post holder will work to develop confidence and competence within teams for managing complex clinical cases and issues.

Main Duties of the Job

The post holder will be an experienced HCPC registered Speech and Language Therapist and will work within the Autism Enhanced Support Team alongside Senior Specialist Learning Disability and Autism clinicians and the Head of Learning Disability and Autism whilst reporting and governance remains aligned to Corporate AHP service provisions.

The post holder will be expected to work alongside senior clinical leads and colleagues to support oversight and co‑ordination of a cohort with autism including admission avoidance strategies, supporting to prevent the readmission of individuals to hospital and ensuring that those who are delayed in their discharge get the clinical and professional support they need.

About Us

Welcome to Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. Our 4000 clinical and support staff help us to improve mental health wellbeing and meet the needs of the 70,000 people we serve each year. We provide a range of mental healthcare services across Birmingham and Solihull, as well as specialised services nationally. We also offer medical, nursing and psychology training and are proud of our international reputation for both research and innovation.

Our population is culturally diverse, characterised in places by high levels of deprivation which create an increasing demand for our services and a necessity for us to make sure everyone can access the help they need. We are a team of compassionate, inclusive and committed people working together to provide excellent care to support our community. If you are looking for a place to belong, where you can make a real difference to people's lives, join our team where our warm welcome is waiting for you.

Job Details

Date posted: 19 November 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 7

Salary: £47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 436-7543639

Job locations: Community/Uffculme, Birmingham and Solihull, B13 8QY

Job Responsibilities

For further information about the main responsibilities please view the attached job description and person specification.

Person Specification

Essential

• Relevant professional degree to the requirements of the job description
• Current registration with HCPC must be held
• Demonstrable evidence of robust and extended continuous professional development
• Significant post qualification experience working within mental health and / or learning disabilities / autism
• Significant experience of leadership and service development
• Evidence of improving service quality
• Highly developed skills in relevant clinical or social care provision
• Highly developed knowledge of learning disability and autism and the national drivers supporting the clinical division
• Compassionate and inspirational leader
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Motivator and role model to their profession and to other professionals

Desirable

• Formal leadership training
• QI qualification or equivalent experience in Quality Improvement methodologies (QI)
• Significant post registration training/MSc
• Experience of leading on audit and/or evaluation activity related to clinical practice
• Managing and developing staff members

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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

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. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

UK Registration

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

Employer Details

Employer name: Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Community/Uffculme, Birmingham and Solihull, B13 8QY

Employer's website: https://www.bsmhft.nhs.uk