Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

NHS; Cardigan; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Cardigan seeks a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to work as a Clinical Lead in Early Years. This role involves clinical management of staff, leading the Early Years team, and managing a specialist caseload including children with complex needs. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Speech & Language Therapy and extensive clinical experience. Knowledge of bilingualism is a plus, and Welsh speakers are particularly encouraged to apply.

Qualifications

• Successful completion of training/specialist short courses up to Masters Degree or equivalent.
• Understanding of implications of bilingualism on language use and development.
• Knowledge of a wide range of specialist assessment tools.

Responsibilities

• Line manage staff working for the SLT service.
• Provide leadership and strategic oversight for clinical services.
• Manage a highly specialist clinical caseload.

Skills

Clinical management

Team leadership

Therapeutic interventions

Data protection knowledge

Education

Degree in Speech & Language Therapy

Job description

Overview

We have an exciting opportunity for a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to work as a Clinical Lead in Early Years, in Ceredigion. As part of this role, there are opportunities to work as a Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist within the Early Years and be the Line Manager for the Early Years team in Ceredigion. The post holder will be responsible for all elements of operational line management of staff members working within their team, including day-to-day support and queries, regular management supervision, and supporting the team and service to develop. The clinical aspect involves holding a highly specialist clinical caseload within the early years service in Ceredigion, which may include supporting children with complex needs, managing waiting times and triaging referrals. The post holder will identify opportunities for service development in line with national Flying Start guidelines and Talk with Me delivery plan. They will be a member of the SLT Service in Hywel Dda University Health Board with access to a full range of support and training.

Responsibilities

• Directly line manage staff working for the SLT service, partnering with Service Leads to support equitable service provision and development.
• Utilise coaching and facilitative skills to enable the team to provide high-quality clinical services and to innovate beyond traditional service boundaries.
• Collaborate with other SLT staff to ensure operational and clinical service development are integrated.
• Respond to service pressures and prioritise activities according to local needs.
• Provide leadership and strategic oversight to ensure equitability, accessibility of support, and timely intervention.
• Work with commissioners and partners to provide reports and data for Flying Start and Families First workbooks.
• Manage a highly specialist clinical caseload, which may include supporting children with complex needs, managing waiting times and triaging new referrals.
• Provide supervision, advice and second opinions to junior colleagues.

Qualifications and experience

Essential

• Degree in Speech & Language Therapy
• Evidence of successful completion of training/specialist short courses up to Masters Degree or equivalent, relevant to area of clinical expertise
• Understanding of implications of bilingualism on language use and development
• Knowledge of a wide range of paediatric or adult specialist assessment tools to evaluate communication skills relevant to the area of clinical expertise
• Knowledge of characteristics leading to specialist differential diagnosis relevant to the area of clinical expertise
• Knowledge of selecting, setting and evaluating specialist treatment goals
• Knowledge of a highly specialist range of therapeutic interventions relevant to the clinical area and ability to demonstrate the evidence base for these approaches
• Well established knowledge of legal and professional issues of confidentiality
• Knowledge of record keeping standards, data protection / Caldicott guidelines
• Knowledge of health and safety issues
• Knowledge of national policies and procedures relevant to the area of clinical expertise

Desirable

• Basic Counselling
• Knowledge of a range of research approaches
• Understanding of principles of change management
• Accredited postbasic dysphagia training

Experience

Essential

• Extensive post-registration clinical experience relevant to the post
• Experience of audit and service evaluation
• Delivering highly specialist training to a range of audiences
• SLT student placements, inclusive of assessment up to final year
• Supporting less experienced staff
• Supervision of associate practitioners/support workers
• Experience of providing second opinions to SLTs and other professionals

Desirable

• Management of change
• Demonstrable leadership experience
• Delivering therapy through the medium of Welsh
• Supervision/line management of SLTs

Language

• Welsh speaker (Desirable)

Other

• HCPC registration
• RCSLT Membership
• Member of Relevant CEN/SIG/PPG
• Able to work across a variety of sites and to travel between sites as needed

Other information

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are welcome to apply.

Interviews will be held on 25.11.25.