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

NHS; Metropolitan Borough of Solihull; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare trust is looking for a Band 7 Clinical Lead Speech & Language Therapist to provide leadership and support for individuals with autism. This role involves working within an interdisciplinary team and implementing effective clinical pathways. Candidates should have a relevant degree, HCPC registration, and experience in mental health. The salary ranges from £47,810 to £54,710 per annum, pro rata.

Qualifications

• Significant post-qualification experience in mental health or learning disabilities.
• Demonstrable evidence of continuous professional development.
• Experience in leading audits/evaluations related to clinical practice.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical leadership for Speech and Language Therapy.
• Work within the Autism Enhanced Support Team.
• Support oversight and coordination for individuals with autism.

Skills

Leadership

Autism knowledge

Clinical assessment

Interpersonal skills

Motivation

Education

Relevant professional degree

Current HCPC registration

MSc

Job description

Go back Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

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

The closing date is 14 December 2025

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 evidence‑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 responsibilities

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

Person Specification

• 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
• 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.

Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

£47,810 to £54,710 a yearper annum, pro rata