Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

NHS; Crawley; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 53,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading community health provider in Crawley is seeking an experienced Clinical Lead for their Complex Needs Team. The ideal candidate will have considerable experience in pediatric speech and language therapy, be HCPC registered, and possess strong leadership skills. This part-time role involves managing a caseload, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and contributing to innovative practices. Competitive salary and a supportive working environment are offered.

Qualifications

• HCPC Registration is mandatory.
• Wide-ranging pediatric SLT experience.
• Significant experience as a Specialist SLT (Band 6 or above).

Responsibilities

• Provide assessment, diagnosis, and management to children.
• Organize caseloads and negotiate with parents and teams.
• Lead the development of innovative practices.

Skills

Clinical supervision

Extensive knowledge of assessments

Excellent interpersonal skills

Competent IT skills

Highly developed auditory skills

Education

Degree in Speech and Language Therapy

Membership of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

Job description

Overview

Based at a large Special School in Crawley, we are looking for an enthusiastic and committed Band 7 to lead our Complex Needs Team of Speech and Language Therapists and Speech and Language Therapy Assistants. The role has a high clinical component with at least 2 years experience in complex needs required. Experience in dysphagia is desirable, and training in this area could be funded and supported. Some previous experience of supervision and management would be an advantage. There is a strong and supportive Band 7 Speech and Language Therapy network in the locality and across the wider Trust.

Main duties

This is a Clinical Lead role for Complex Needs in the Central Area of West Sussex. The applicant would work in conjunction with the Clinical Leads from neighbouring Brighton and Hove, as well as West Sussex. There are regular county wide meetings to review cases and opportunities to be part of a wider multi-disciplinary team ensuring a high quality service is delivered to children across the CDCs. The ideal candidate will be able to write complex clinical reports based on assessment findings. They will have knowledge and skills suitable to contribute to projects, data collection and strategic developments within the Complex Needs Pathway. They will have a solid understanding of universal, targeted and specialist service offers and how this is managed within a special school environment. Some experience of managing or supervising a small team would be an advantage. The Trust supports staff training and development through its Leadership Programme and CPD opportunities in in-house management skills and external courses via the Education and Training Department.

About us

We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex, with 6,000 staff serving 1.3 million people. We deliver essential care to adults and children, helping them manage their health, avoid hospital admissions, and reduce hospital stays. Our Trust vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community, with opportunities across medical, clinical, support, and corporate services. We embrace diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from ethnically diverse, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. We aim to create an inclusive environment and support reasonable adjustments during recruitment. This post may close early if sufficient applications are received.

Role details

Details Date posted: 11 September 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 7

Salary: £46,148 to £52,809 a year per annum pro rata

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Part-time

Reference number: 150-MM1850-PC-A

Job locations: Manor Green Special School, Lady Margaret Road, Crawley, RH11 0DU

Responsibilities

• To provide assessment, diagnosis and management to children within the designated caseloads, providing highly specialist care plans.
• To provide advice to other professionals and parents in order to support the needs of children with speech, language and communication delay and disorder in specialist area.
• To provide advice to other professionals and parents in order to support the needs of children with Eating and Drinking difficulties.
• To organise caseloads within the scope of the highly specialist post advising the Team Lead of shortfalls and difficulties as they arise.
• To negotiate with parents, carers and other Multi-Disciplinary team members around individual case management, demonstrating compassion and empathy alongside well developed negotiation skills and management of conflict.
• To be responsible for administration and record keeping conforming to Departmental and Trust regulations concerning the format and security of patient records and the Data Protection Act.
• To be aware of, and adhere to, legal requirements relating to the provision of a Speech and Language Therapy Service and of procedures relating to Child Protection.
• To recognise own professional boundaries and seek advice and support as appropriate.
• To lead in the development of innovative practices, projects and therapy packages in the specialist area in collaboration with SLT management team.
• To participate in the development of Team and Service clinical policies and plans as directed by SLT management team.
• To provide timely and accurate statistics as required by the Department.
• To provide appropriate and timely reports and other client related correspondence, according to service standards and requirements of other agencies.

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for more details

Person specifications

Qualifications Essential

• Degree / Diploma in Speech and Language Therapy
• HCPC Registration
• A masters level qualification or equivalent knowledge and skills demonstrated through wide range of paediatric experience and training

• Membership of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

Experience Essential

• Wide ranging paediatric SLT experience, significant experience as a Specialist SLT (normally band 6 or above)
• Assessment, diagnosis and independent management of a wide range of paediatric caseload
• Clinical supervision of students, support staff and assistants

Skills and knowledge Essential

• Extensive knowledge of assessments and therapy techniques and of different models and frameworks of working
• In-depth knowledge of issues relating to differential diagnosis and aetiology in a range of speech, language and communication difficulties
• Working knowledge of government policies, including Education systems, National Curriculum and National Service Framework for Children
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
• Competent IT skills
• Highly developed auditory skills for assessing speech and language
• Car owner/driver or suitable alternative

Disclosure and other checks This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and will require a Disclosure to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website.

Employer information Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, Manor Green Special School, Lady Margaret Road, Crawley, RH11 0DU. Website: https://www.sussexcommunity.nhs.uk/work-with-us/