Clinical Pathway Lead - Therapies

NHS; Barking; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

A health service provider in Barking is seeking a Clinical Pathway Lead for Therapies. This role involves providing clinical leadership to the Therapy team, managing pathways in Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Physiotherapy. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing innovative practices and maintaining a specialist clinical caseload. A strong background in paediatric therapy and effective collaboration with community stakeholders is essential. The role offers a salary of £55,690 to £62,682, plus a high cost area supplement.

Benefits

High cost area supplement

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in paediatric therapy management and communication difficulties.
• Ability to lead meetings and manage complex caseloads.
• Active interest in CPD in complex communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Therapy team across health and education settings.
• Develop innovative therapy services for children and young people.
• Engage with families and community stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership skills

Clinical assessment

Collaboration with multi-agency teams

Education

Degree or equivalent in Speech and Language Therapy

HCPC registration

MSc in Speech and Language Therapy or relevant clinical field

Job description

Clinical Pathway Lead - Therapies

Closing date: 09 January 2026

The Clinical Pathway Lead will provide line management and clinical leadership to the Therapy team – Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy – in Barking & Dagenham, as part of the overall clinical leadership structure for Targeted Children's Services in the borough. The Clinical Pathway Lead will manage the Speech and Language pathway with line management responsibilities for the Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Leads and their pathways.

The Clinical Pathway Lead will have highly specialist knowledge of the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of specific disorders, communication disorders including autism, and complex learning disabilities. They will lead on the speech and language pathways supporting delivery in mainstream (and secondary) schools, ARPs, early‑years social communications and language, SSD, stammering, dysphagia, deafness, complex needs and DLD. This includes developing innovative practice and service redesign to support the development and implementation of clinical care pathways. The post holder will work closely with the Head of Service and give feedback on performance and contractual agreements for the Therapies Service.

Main duties of the job

To develop systems and processes to support the delivery of the service within health and education settings across Barking & Dagenham.

• Provide clinical leadership and operational management to the Therapy team (SLT/OT/PT), supporting service delivery across health and education settings.
• Lead and develop innovative therapy services that support clinical care pathways for children and young people.
• Manage staff supervision, recruitment and professional development to build a skilled and motivated team.
• Foster strong partnerships with local authorities, schools and community stakeholders.
• Engage actively with families and community networks to ensure services are responsive, inclusive and outcome‑focused.
• Maintain a specialist clinical caseload, providing expert assessment, diagnosis and intervention.
• Promote ongoing service evaluation, quality improvement and compliance with Trust policies.
• Drive forward innovation in service delivery, including digital resource development and embedding research within clinical practice.
• Champion culturally sensitive approaches and contribute to reducing health inequalities in the diverse communities served.

About us

Our Values 2025‑2030: We are kind. We are respectful. We work together with our communities. These values guide us to provide the best care by the best people.

High Cost Area Supplement – Outer London: This post attracts a high cost area supplement of 15% of the basic salary (minimum £4,714 to a maximum £5,941 per annum, pro‑rata for part time).

Probationary period: This post is subject to a probationary period.

Job responsibilities

Our service is passionate about addressing health inequalities and delivering equitable care across a multicultural community where over 130 languages are spoken. If you're ready to combine clinical excellence, leadership and innovation in a supportive and dynamic environment, this role is for you.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in Speech and Language Therapy.
• HCPC registration.
• Successful completion of leadership courses or evidence of management skills.
• Active interest in CPD, specifically in complex communication, in line with RCSLT guidelines.
• Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy.
• MSc in Speech and Language Therapy or a relevant clinical field.

Experience

• Ability to organise and chair meetings at a departmental and MDT level.
• Ability to manage a high number of referrals and an ongoing complex caseload.
• Understanding of the roles of other professionals and the principles of partnership working.
• Experience of paediatric therapy and management of communication difficulties.
• Developing CPD programmes for services/teams and experience of offering clinical supervision.
• Working with multi‑agency and/or within an MDT.
• Working with clients who have a range of speech, language and communication needs.

Knowledge

• In‑depth knowledge of theory and practice in child development and its application to speech and language therapy.
• Advanced clinical knowledge of the impact of specific developmental disabilities on child development.
• Knowledge of developmental and acquired communication disorders.
• In‑depth knowledge of a range of therapeutic interventions and ability to compare and contrast relative benefits and outcomes.
• Knowledge of a broad range of assessment tools relevant to the specialist patient group, treatment techniques and therapeutic interventions.
• Understanding of safeguarding.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and therefore a submission for disclosure will be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous convictions.

Salary: £55,690 to £62,682 a year plus HCAS per annum pro‑rata.