Senior Speech and Language Therapist

NHS; London; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in London is seeking a Speech and Language Therapist to join their acute paediatric and neonatal team. The role involves providing specialist services to infants and children with communication disorders, leading developmental care, and managing an inpatient caseload. Candidates must demonstrate flexibility, teamwork, and a commitment to high-quality patient care.

Qualifications

• Specialist skills in managing complex caseloads.
• Clinical and professional leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage a complex caseload using specialist skills.
• Provide clinical leadership to a Multi-Therapy Assistant.
• Advise on service development in line with government policies.

Skills

Teamwork

Leadership

Communication

Job description

Job summary

This Speech and Language Therapy post is based within the acute paediatric and neonatal team(s) at King's College Hospital. The post holder will provide a specialist inpatient service to infants and children with feeding, swallowing, and communication disorders. The role includes leading developmental care and early intervention on neonatal units (cross-site) and managing an inpatient caseload on children’s wards, supporting acute inpatients and neurorehabilitation alongside Band 7 and 8a SLTs.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will utilize specialist knowledge to manage a complex caseload, with support from senior SLTs. They will provide clinical and professional leadership to a Multi-Therapy Assistant and represent paediatric/neonatal Speech and Language Therapy at relevant meetings, advising on service developments aligned with government policies.

The role requires flexibility and effective collaboration within a multidisciplinary team.

About us

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest teaching trusts, serving over 1.5 million patients annually with more than 15,000 staff across five sites. Our strategy, Strong Roots, Global Reach, aims to be BOLD and outstanding in care, research, and education, emphasizing diversity, equality, and inclusion. We are committed to sustainable healthcare via our Green Plan, targeting net zero carbon emissions by 2040 for the NHS Carbon Footprint and by 2045 for the NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. We encourage staff to contribute responsibly towards these goals.

Details

• Posted on: 16 May 2025
• Pay scheme: Agenda for Change
• Band: Band 6
• Salary: £44,806 to £53,134 per annum (including high cost allowance)
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Location: Kings College Hospital Sites (Denmark Hill / PRUH), London, SE5 9RS

Job description

The post involves managing and providing specialist assessment, treatment, and management of infants and children with swallowing, feeding, and neurological communication impairments within neonatal units and paediatric wards. Refer to the attached detailed job description for more information.

Person Specification

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience (Essential)

• BSc or recognised postgraduate MSc/diploma in Speech & Language Therapy
• HCPC registration
• Experience with infant feeding, swallowing, and communication assessment and therapy techniques
• Understanding of developmental and family-centered care frameworks
• Experience managing children with neurological communication impairments
• Knowledge of relevant assessments and outcome measures for children with brain injury
• Risk management and decision-making skills, including liaison with multidisciplinary teams
• Safeguarding knowledge and awareness of the SLT role within safeguarding
• Postgraduate training in dysphagia management
• Excellent IT skills, including data and presentation tools
• Interest in research and audit development

Desirable

• RCSLT membership
• Masters-level postgraduate training or experience
• Audit experience
• Membership of relevant CENs
• Knowledge of communication aids and computer-based communication programs
• Experience with instrumental assessment of swallowing
• Knowledge of neurodevelopmental follow-up MDT

Communication and Relationship Skills (Essential)

• Excellent communication skills, including conveying complex/emotive information
• Proven teamworking ability in multidisciplinary settings
• Experience in training and supervising students
• Effective presentation and teaching skills
• Partnership working with professionals and agencies

Analytical Skills (Essential)

• Strong observational and analytical skills
• Assessment and differential diagnosis capabilities
• Planning and implementing treatment programs

Planning and Organisational Skills (Essential)

• Good organizational and time management skills
• Ability to prioritize own caseload within guidelines
• Flexibility and conflict resolution skills
• Awareness of NHS and professional developments

Other

• Commitment to child and family-centered care
• Lifelong learning commitment

Additional notes on DBS checks, sponsorship, and UK registration are included for compliance and eligibility purposes.