Highly Specialised Speech and Language Therapist

CNWL NHS Foundation Trust; Uxbridge; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare provider in Uxbridge is seeking an experienced speech and language therapist to lead services for adults with learning disabilities. The role involves developing clinical pathways and managing caseloads. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience with dysphagia, strong leadership skills, and a commitment to service innovation. Regular supervision and support are provided. Applications from band 6 therapists looking to progress are welcomed.

Benefits

Regular supervision and support

Opportunities for professional development

Qualifications

• Extensive experience managing dysphagia and communication caseloads.
• Experience in service development within a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience with adults with learning disabilities preferred.

Responsibilities

• Act as local lead for Speech and Language Therapy within the Learning Disability Team.
• Provide advice and support to colleagues across the MDT.
• Manage autonomously dysphagia and communication caseloads.

Skills

Leadership skills

Experience with dysphagia

Communication skills

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Education

Relevant Speech and Language Therapy degree

Job description

Overview

A vacancy at Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust. We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced speech and language therapist to lead the speech and language therapy services for adults with learning disabilities in the London borough of Hillingdon. We welcome and encourage applications from band 7 applicants, or band 6 with experience looking to progress to band 7.

This is a rare opportunity to take the lead in the development of a safe and efficient speech and language therapy service for adults with learning disabilities. This dynamic role requires strong leadership and innovation skills, in addition to experience of service development and delivery. We are looking for applicants who have a passion and commitment to working with people with learning disabilities and their carers.

Hillingdon is a vibrant, multicultural area and is easily accessible from central London on the Jubilee and Metropolitan Lines, taking around 35 minutes to Baker Street station. There is an opportunity to work virtually for 2.5 days.

Responsibilities

• Act as local lead for Speech and Language Therapy within the Learning Disability Team, responsible for development and oversight of SLT clinical pathways, supervising and training junior clinicians, and managing a diverse and wide-ranging clinical caseload.


• Provide advice and support to colleagues working with people with learning disabilities across the MDT and neighbouring services as part of the multi-disciplinary team.


• Manage autonomously both dysphagia and communication caseloads with extensive experience in these areas.


• Lead on service development and contribute to a multidisciplinary approach; opportunities to lead on trust-wide projects and shadow senior managers.


• Help recruit and be involved in interview processes for vacant SLT posts within the team.

Qualifications and experience

• Extensive experience of autonomously managing both dysphagia and communication caseloads.


• Experience of service development and working as part of a multidisciplinary team.


• Ideal candidates will have some experience of working with adults with learning disabilities; applications from experienced therapists from other clinical areas who are interested in learning disabilities are welcome.


• Regular supervision and peer supervision available (from the Speech and Language Therapy Professional Lead in Learning Disabilities within CNWL and from LD SLT team leads).

Progression and development

• Band 6 appointees will be supported to progress to band 7 through an agreed developmental framework with the Professional Lead for Learning Disabilities and the Hillingdon community team manager.


• Opportunities to lead on trust-wide projects, shadow senior managers, and become a clinical specialist through ACP programmes or advanced training.


• Clinical development includes autism, dementia, dysphagia, AAC, mental health, and positive behaviour support; shadowing and training across neighbouring services are available.

Working arrangements and supervision

You would receive regular supervision and support from the Speech and Language Therapy Professional Lead in Learning Disabilities within CNWL, in addition to peer supervision with other LD SLT team leads. You would also contribute to the development of the wider community learning disability service and to new clinical pathways and Care Quality Improvement projects.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Equality, diversity and inclusion are priorities for CNWL. Staff are expected to be culturally competent, reflective and open to culturally diverse CPD opportunities. We welcome applications from staff with all protected characteristics.

Benefits and team

Band 6 and 7 staff contribute managerial and clinical expertise and are supported in their clinical and managerial development. There are opportunities to work in diverse teams across physical and mental health settings, with potential for a lifelong career within CNWL.

Clinical practice and service development

You should be highly skilled in the delivery of assessment, advice and intervention around communication and dysphagia for people referred to the service, their families and wider support systems. You should be able to independently manage your clinical caseload and have excellent clinical governance skills. You will be responsible for managing all SLT referrals to the team, including triage and allocation within service timelines, ensuring safe service delivery and caseload management, and providing regular supervision to junior colleagues. There will also be opportunities for recruitment and interview experience for vacant SLT posts within the team.

How to apply / Closing date

Please see the job description for further details. This advert closes on Friday 19 Sep 2025.