Dev Specialist Speech & Language Therapist, dypshagia & complex needs

Whittington Health NHS Trust; London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

An opportunity for a Development Specialist Speech & Language Therapist to join the Haringey Early Years SLT team at Whittington Health NHS Trust. The role focuses on providing specialized assessment and treatment for children with complex needs, including dysphagia and autism. This position offers a chance to work collaboratively with a skilled MDT and support junior staff while participating in ongoing professional development.

Qualifications

• Registered with RCSLT and HCPC.
• Experience working with children with complex needs.
• Evidence of CPD in clinical area.

Responsibilities

• Provide assessment and therapy for children with SLCN and dysphagia.
• Support junior colleagues, assistants, and students.
• Develop care pathways and training materials.

Skills

Clinical expertise

Communication strategies

Collaboration

Education

Diploma, Degree or MSc in Speech and Language Therapy

Registered Member of the RCSLT and HCPC Registration to Practice

Job description

Social network you want to login/join with:

Dev Specialist Speech & Language Therapist, dypshagia & complex needs, London

col-narrow-left

Client:

Whittington Health NHS Trust

Location:

London, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

-

EU work permit required:

Yes

col-narrow-right

Job Reference:

94911511d7b9

Job Views:

4

Posted:

29.06.2025

Expiry Date:

13.08.2025

col-wide

Job Description:

Job overview

This is a wonderful opportunity to progress in complex needs and dysphagia. The post holder will be part of our rich peer supported network in the Haringey Early Years SLT team and will have an interest in developing a specialism with a caseload of children with dysphagia, SLCN and autism. You will provide assessment and treatment on an individual and group basis. Your caseload will consist of neonates to 5 yrs. You will advise and give training on AAC and autism to parents and EY Practitioners. You will work alongside the specialists in this area and be part of a skilled MDT including PTs, OTs, dietitians, HVs, paediatricians, portage visitors and infant feeding specialists, with opportunities for joint working and interdisciplinary learning. You will also work with and support more junior staff including therapists, assistants and students.

Your caseload of children will have SLCN and/or dysphagia and will include clinic, home and/or nursery visits. You will advise/train carers and multi-agency staff on issues related to both individual cases and effective communication strategies/good communication environments. The postholder will demonstrate a high level of clinical expertise and participate in CPD to maintain and further develop specialist knowledge and clinical practice. This is an opportunity for development in dysphagia competencies.

Main duties of the job

• To provide specialist input into assessment and therapy for children with SLCN (including autism) and dysphagia and their families (age under 5 years).
• The postholder will demonstrate ahigh level of clinical expertise and participate in continuing professional development to maintain and further develop specialist knowledge and clinical practice.
• To be involved in clinical governance issues by keeping up to date with developments in paediatrics, undertaking audits to evaluate practice and participating in research projects.
• To have a support role with junior colleagues, therapy assistants and students.
• To advise and train carers and multi-agency staff on issues related to both individual cases and effective communication and language strategies.

Working for our organisation

Whittington Health serves a richly diverse population and works hard to ensure that all our services are fair and equally accessible to everyone. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the way we look after our staff. We aim to employ a workforce which is as representative as possible of this population, so we are open to the value of differences in age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, and religion or belief. The Trust believes that as a public sector organisation we have an obligation to have recruitment, training, promotion and other formal employment policies and procedures that are sensitive to these differences. We think that by doing so, we are better able to treat our patients as well as being a better place to work.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To take a specialist role in developing the SLT service to children with complex needs & dysphagia, including contributing to developing care pathways and packages, assessment, therapy and training materials specific to this client group.
• To assess, differentially diagnose, plan and implement therapy for children with speech, language and/or communication difficulties on own caseload.
• To carry out home, school and nursery observations as part of the assessment where necessary.
• To be able to gather information that may be sensitive or complex and analyse it as part of a full assessment of a client’s strengths and difficulties.
• To work closely with clients/carers and MDT using empathy, tact, reassurance and active listening to complete assessments, discuss results, and involve them in forward plans and any onward referrals.
• To reflect on clinical practice; adequately identifying strengths & needs of clients, reviewing their response to therapy and providing evidence of sound clinical judgement.
• To routinely overcome barriers to communication during assessment. This includes the use of sign, symbols or other AAC strategies with communication disordered clients/carers, as well as the use of interpreters for clients and carers who do not have English as a first language. Making sure to take into account cultural and linguistic backgrounds and disabilities.
• To seek second opinions from senior colleagues in complex cases.
• To produce accurate and detailed notes, reports, therapy programmes, advice and information as necessary in a timely manner.
• To provide advice/supervision to junior staff and students on a range of issues related to neurodiversity and assessment.
• To demonstrate highly effective personal coordination of day-to-day activities including prioritising caseloads, decision-making and problem so lving.
• Liaise with other agencies involved in the child’s care, including relatives/carers and education staff, as appropriate to the individual child’s needs.
• To adhere to and apply the Health and Care Professions Council’s (HCPC) standards of proficiency and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) code of ethics and professional conduct and all other relevant guidance from Whittington Health NHS Trust.

Person specification

Education/ Qualifications/ Training

• Diploma, Degree or MSC in Speech and Language Therapy
• Registered Member of the RCSLT and HCPC Registration to Practice
• Evidence of successful completion of short courses and other CPD in clinical area

Skills/Abilities/Experience

• Evidence of a range of experience working with children with complex needs
• Experience of carrying out assessment and intervention for children with complex needs including children with Down syndrome, Autism and general developmental delay
• Experience of prioritisation of therapy/ own workload. Experience working collaboratively with colleagues in health and other agencies including education.
• Evidence of a range of experience working with children with dysphagia.

Other Requirements

• To take the majority of leave in school holidays
• An ability to speak a non-European language – especially Turkish or an African language.

SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND ADULTS

To comply with the Trust’s Safeguarding Children and Adults policies, procedures and protocols. All individual members of staff (paid or unpaid) have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults This will require you to:

• Ensure you are familiar with and comply with the London Child Protection Procedures and protocols for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people.
• Ensure you are familiar and comply with theLondon Multi Agency Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Pan London Procedures.
• Ensure you are familiar and comply with local protocols and systems for information sharing.
• Know the appropriate contact numbers and required reporting lines.
• Participate in required training and supervision.
• Comply with required professional boundaries and codes of conduct

Whittington Health is committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.