Clinical Lead - Developmental Language Disorder

NTH; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 49,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist to drive development for children with developmental language disorders. The 0.4 wte post collaborates with an existing lead to extend services across schools, clinics, homes and virtual platforms.

The role requires HCPC registration, a passion for improving outcomes, and strong teamwork. The post offers flexible working with base location in Hartlepool/Tees area and potential for broader

Qualifications

• HCPC registered and eligible to practise as a speech & language therapist.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Commitment to evidence-based practice and ongoing learning.
• Passion for improving outcomes for children and young people.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the service for children and young people with developmental language disorder.
• Develop and deliver the service across schools, clinics, homes and virtual platforms.
• Generate strategies to manage a highly specialist caseload including assessment, diagnosis, treatment and discharge.
• Collaborate with parents, carers, education staff and the MDT to plan and prioritise care.
• Ensure safeguarding and DBS requirements are understood and followed.

Skills

HCPC registered

Communication

Teamwork

Evidence-based practice

Education

Degree/diploma and licence to practise as a speech & language therapist

Masters degree or equivalent postgraduate knowledge

Job description

Find out about the current vacancies available at the Trust and take the next step in your career with us.

Clinical Lead - Developmental Language Disorder

NHS AfC: Band 7

Main area Speech and Language Therapy Grade NHS AfC: Band 7 Contract Permanent Hours

• Part time
• Job share
• Flexible working

15 hours per week Job ref 345-CSU1-8238306

Site Hartlepool, Stockton and Darlington Town Hartlepool, Stockton and Darlington Salary £49,387 - £56,515 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 27/11/2026 23:59

Job overview

Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist:Communication and Interaction Team (Developmental Language Disorder) 0.4 wte

We are looking for an enthusiastic Lead Speech and Language Therapist to work alongside an existing lead within our team. This post provides a great opportunity to work in partnership with others to develop and deliver the service to children and young people with developmental language disorders.

We're looking for a lead therapist who:

• Is HCPC registered
• Is passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people
• Has strong communication and teamwork skills
• Has a commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous learning

Why the Tees Valley?

Affordable Living: Enjoy a lower cost of living compared to many UK regions

Stunning Surroundings: From the breath-taking North York Moors and coastal walks at Saltburn and Redcar to the vibrant centres like Middlesbrough and Darlington

Great Connectivity: Easy access to Newcastle, York and Leeds, plus excellent transport links

Family Friendly: Outstanding schools, parks, and cultural attractions make this a fantastic place to settle

Please Note:

There is some flexibility in relation to the base for this post.

We also have opportunities in other clinical areas, so may be able to offer wider opportunities to therapists who are interested in more hours or full time work. Please contact us for more information.

Main duties of the job

You'll work within a supportive, forward thinking team, leading and coordinating the service to children and young people with developmental language disorder. You will work in a range of settings including:

Schools and nurseries

Community clinics

Homes and virtual platforms

Working for our organisation

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust now form University Hospitals Tees and as such you may be required to work at any site across both Trusts.

We will support staff through providing an inclusive and supportive workplace with health and well-being initiatives, staff benefits and opportunities for personal and professional development.

We support the 'Making Every Contact Count' approach to behaviour change in the promotion of health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for details.

Generate appropriate strategies to manage an individual highly specialist caseload includingassessment, diagnosis, treatment and discharge.

Develop and implement highly specialist care protocols and programmes of care and treatment, to meet the needs of clients in conjunction with their parents, carers, education staff and other members of the appropriate multi-disciplinary team (MDT).

Independently manage and/or negotiate the management of complex cases with others e.g. onward referral to other highly specialist clinicians or other specialist support agencies or consultants as appropriate.

Ensure clients/families are involved in the planning and prioritisation of their care plans wherever possible.

Adapt practice to meet individual client circumstances including regard for cultural and linguistic differences.

Person specification

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge & understanding of a wide range of procedures and practices related to the identification, definition, diagnosis & remediation of disorders of human communication
• Knowledge, skills & understanding of children & young people in the specialist area.
• Evidence of leadership skills including: personal time management & organisation; successful & effective caseload management; successful & effective supervision/leading other clinical staff

Qualifications and Training

• Degree/diploma and licence to practise as a speech & language therapist as approved by the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists
• Masters degree or equivalent postgraduate knowledge

Experience

• Relevant and considerable post-preceptorship experience working with a range of children and young people in the specialist area
• Substantial post-graduate experience across a broad range of children & young people’s speech & language therapy
• Considerable experience of caseload management & monitoring with experience of delegation of tasks to other team members
• Experience of leading a staff team and providing management support for said team

Important - Once sufficient applications have been received this vacancy may close early.

Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS)

It is the policy of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, that all successful candidates who are new to the Trust who require DBS clearance for the post they have been offered, are required to pay the cost for their DBS certificate. The method of payment for this is via salary deduction from your first month's pay on commencement with the Trust. The DBs check will be undertaken during the pre-employment check screening.

Qualifications
Please note the essential qualifications required for the post are outlined within the Person Specification. You are required to provide original evidence of the necessary qualifications for the post at interview should you be shortlisted. You will also be required to provide original copies as part of the pre-employment check screening.

New Starters – Probationary Period

For any new employees commencing employment with North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, you will be subject to satisfactory completion of a 6 month probationary period. Please note that internal applications and individuals that are appointed to fixed term appointments of less than 6 months duration are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or a bank member of staff).

Employment References

As part of our pre-employment screening process, all applicants are required to provide references covering their last three years employment history including any gaps. Applicants are requested to ensure e-mail addresses for all referees are included on their application form. Personal references are not acceptable.

Working Hours

If the hours advertised for the post are up to full time (37.5 hours per week), applications are still welcomed from individuals who may be seeking to work less than full-time hours and all requests will be considered in line with the post being appointed to for the successful applicant.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Everything we do is shaped by our values: Respect, Support, and Collaborate.

At University Hospitals Tees we want our workspaces to be places where everyone feels welcome, valued and safe. We treat people with respect, and we celebrate the differences that make each of us unique.

We welcome applications from everyone, no matter your age, background, race, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family circumstances or beliefs.

We are here to support you throughout your application and at every stage of your career with us. We believe we work best when we collaborate, learn from each other and build teams that reflect the communities we serve.

Disability

We are a Disability Confident Lead employer. This means we give fair and full consideration to applicants and will offer reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process. If you need help with your application, or need the information in a different format, please contact our recruitment team and we will support you.

Right to Work in the UK

The Trust welcomes applications from all candidates who meet the criteria for the role. Please note that from January 2021, to work in the UK all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship unless they have permission to work via another route. Non UK/RoI candidates wishing to apply can self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship here: Work in the UK - GOV.UK ( www.gov.uk )

Please provide full and accurate details of your current immigration status on the application form. Your current immigration status will not be considered as part of the shortlisting or interview process.

Please note that not everyone needs a ‘Skilled Worker’ visa. If you are applying for health or social care, you may be eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead.

As a supporter of the Armed Forces and an employer of Reservists, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust are proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, which is a promise by the nation to ensure that those who serve or who have served in the UK Armed Forces (and their families) are treated fairly.

We recognise that reservists and veterans bring a variety of transferable skills and qualities to our workplace, developed through their military careers. Our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces Community has been recognised through the Armed Forces Covenant as a Silver Employer.

Further Important Information

Please check your email on a regular basis for updates on your application. If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be invited to email via this method.

Please ensure you read the ‘Guidance Notes for Applicants’ document attached to this advert before completing and submitting your application.

Unfortunately, we are unable to respond to all applicants and those who are not contacted within six weeks of the closing date should assume that their application has been unsuccessful.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.