Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist Neurodisability Dysphagia

Cddft; North East; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced Speech and Language Therapist to join the Children's Speech and Language Therapy Team as Clinical Lead for Neurodisability with dysphagia. The role involves leadership of the dysphagia pathway, supervision of staff, and driving service development to ensure high-quality, evidence-based care for children and young people aged 0-18.

You will work across health, education and partner agencies to deliver integrated care,

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent qualification in SLT.
• Masters degree or equivalent postgraduate knowledge.
• Certificate to practise as a Speech and Language Therapist.
• Post graduate qualification in dysphagia/equivalent level of experience.
• Counselling qualification.

Responsibilities

• Undertake highly specialist assessment, diagnosis and management of children and young people (0-18) with complex speech, language, communication and/or eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties.
• Provides specialist assessment and management of paediatric dysphagia, including participation in Videofluoroscopy Swallow Studies (VFSS).
• Develop, implement and review evidence-based care plans in partnership with children, families, carers, schools and multidisciplinary colleagues.
• Manage a specialist caseload independently, prioritising clinical need and service demands.
• Provide specialist advice, consultation and second opinions regarding complex clinical cases.
• Maintain accurate, timely and legally compliant clinical records and reports.
• Lead and contribute to development of clinical pathways and service models within Children's Speech and Language Therapy.
• Identify opportunities to improve quality, access, effectiveness and patient experience.
• Support implementation of national guidance, professional standards and local policies.
• Advise service leads regarding service pressures, workforce requirements and emerging clinical priorities.
• Contribute to operational and strategic planning within Children's Therapies.
• Provide specialized training for colleagues, families, education staff and partner agencies.
• Deliver clinical supervision, support and mentorship to speech and language therapists, assistant practitioners and students.
• Promote a culture of reflective practice, lifelong learning and continuous professional development.
• Support competency development within specialist clinical pathways.
• Participate in and lead audit, service evaluation and quality improvement activity.
• Contribute to research and innovation projects relevant to Children's Speech and Language Therapy.
• Monitor clinical outcomes and use data to support service improvement.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of current evidence, legislation and professional guidance.
• Work collaboratively with professionals across health, education, social care and voluntary sector organisations.
• Develop effective working relationships that support integrated care and improve outcomes for children and families.
• Represent Children's Speech and Language Therapy within multidisciplinary and multiagency forums.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Dysphagia expertise

Advanced communication

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Problem solving

Project management

Education

Degree in SLT

Masters degree

Certificate to practise as SLT

Postgraduate qualification in dysphagia

Counselling qualification

Tools

None

Job description

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist Neurodisability Dysphagia

The closing date is 06 November 2026

Dueto retirement, we are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Speech andLanguage Therapist to join our friendly and supportive Children's Speech andLanguage Therapy Team as Clinical Lead for Children's Neurodisability(Dysphagia). This is an excitingopportunity to combine specialist clinical practice with leadership, supportingchildren and young people (0-18 years) with eating, drinking and swallowingdifficulties and/or complex communication needs. Based within our County Durhamteam, the role also offers opportunities to provide support to the NeonatalWard, also to undertake and interpret Videofluoroscopy assessments. As ClinicalLead, you will provide leadership for the dysphagia pathway, supportingcolleagues, driving service development and helping to ensure high-quality,evidence-based care for children, young people and their families.

Weare proud to be part of a supportive Integrated Children's Therapy Service. Weare committed to helping our staff thrive and offer excellent opportunities forcontinuing professional development, clinical supervision and leadershipsupport.

Main duties of the job

Holds a highly specialist clinical caseload of children and youngpeople with complex communication and/or dysphagia needs.

Provides clinical leadership across Childrens Speech and LanguageTherapy services.

Delivers specialist advice, consultation and second opinions to speechand language therapists and other professionals.

Supervises speech and language therapists, assistant practitioners,students and support staff as delegated.

Leads service development, audit, quality improvement and pathwaydevelopment initiatives.

Works across health, education and partner agencies to ensureintegrated care delivery.

Contributes to workforce planning, service evaluation and performancemonitoring.

About us

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.

Over reliance onAI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chancesofsuccess.

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

Please note that we may close any vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications have been received.

Job responsibilities

Undertake highly specialist assessment, diagnosis and management of children and young people (0-18 years) presenting with complex speech, language, communication and/or eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties.

• Provides specialist assessment and management of paediatric dysphagia, including participation in Videofluoroscopy Swallow Studies (VFSS).

Develop, implement and review evidence-based care plans in partnership with children, families, carers, schools and multidisciplinary colleagues.

Manage a specialist caseload independently, prioritising clinical need and service demands.

Provide specialist advice, consultation and second opinions regarding complex clinical cases.

Maintain accurate, timely and legally compliant clinical records and reports.

Lead and contribute to development of clinical pathways and service models within Children's Speech and Language Therapy.

Identify opportunities to improve quality, access, effectiveness and patient experience.

Support implementation of national guidance, professional standards and local policies.

Advise service leads regarding service pressures, workforce requirements and emerging clinical priorities.

Contribute to operational and strategic planning within Children's Therapies.

Provide specialized training for colleagues, families, education staff and partner agencies.

Deliver clinical supervision, support and mentorship to speech and language therapists, assistant practitioners and students.

Promote a culture of reflective practice, lifelong learning and continuous professional development.

Support competency development within specialist clinical pathways.

Participate in and lead audit, service evaluation and quality improvement activity.

Contribute to research and innovation projects relevant to Children's Speech and Language Therapy.

Monitor clinical outcomes and use data to support service improvement.

Maintain up-to-date knowledge of current evidence, legislation and professional guidance.

Work collaboratively with professionals across health, education, social care and voluntary sector organisations.

Develop effective working relationships that support integrated care and improve outcomes for children and families.

Represent Children's Speech and Language Therapy within multidisciplinary and multiagency forums.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent qualification in SLT
• Masters degree or equivalent postgraduate knowledge
• Certificate to practise as a Speech and Language Therapist
• Post graduate qualification in dysphagia/equivalent level of experience
• Counselling qualification

Experience

• Significant experience working as a specialist childrens SLT to include working with children and young people with complex learning difficulties/dysphagia
• Experience of working with infants, children and young people who have swallowing difficulties 0-18 years.
• Specialist skills in interpreting Videofluoroscopy assessments of children
• Working as part of a MDT
• Working in partnership with clients/carers and professionals
• Experience of working in education settings and taking an active role in SEND procedures
• Experience in supporting members of a team and providing clinical supervision
• Experience of planning and coordinating across a clinical or non clinical area of service
• Experience of planning and delivering teaching and training

Special Requirements

• Car driver and access to car for work purposes. Ability to travel across the patch for hospital, clinic, school and home visits.
• Driving posts must have valid Full UK driving licence

Statutory Registration

• Registered member of the Health Professions Council
• Member of the RCSLT

Special Skills & Knowledge

• Broad knowledge of NHS and Education policies
• Highly developed Knowledge and skills of current best practice relating to assessment and intervention relevant to children and young people with complex learning difficulties/Dysphagia
• High level problem solving skills.
• High level planning, organisation and evaluation skills
• Well motivated
• Flexibility in approach
• Ability to work under pressure

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.

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust