Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

The Methodist Church in Britain; Llanelli; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Welsh language learning options

Job summary

Hywel Dda University Health Board is seeking an experienced Speech and Language Therapist for a fixed-term maternity cover within the Youth Justice Team and wider Youth Support Service until 31 March 2027. The role focuses on direct assessment and intervention for young people in contact with youth justice services, with a strong emphasis on complex speech, language and communication needs.

The post involves leading in clinical areas, providing training to professionals and collaborating with

Qualifications

• HCPC registration is essential.
• Enhanced dysphagia competency level required (RCSLT framework 2025).
• Extensive post-registration clinical experience with complex cases.

Responsibilities

• Direct assessment and intervention with children and young people in Youth Justice Team and Youth Support Service.
• Manage and deliver SLT service for a specific area or client group.
• Lead in specialist clinical area for service planning, standards and quality.
• deputise for head of SLT / service lead in specialist area.
• Identify training needs of staff and deliver training.
• Collaborate with local authority and education/health staff.
• Represent Health Board at regional events.
• Develop innovative service delivery options for complex needs.
• Contribute to wider SLT team across Health Board.
• Opportunities at operational and strategic level across the Health Board.

Skills

Direct assessment & intervention

Leadership experience

Training delivery

Audit / service evaluation

Education

Degree in Speech and Language Therapy

Masters level training or equivalent

Job description

Fixed-term maternity cover post with Hywel Dda University Health Board, sitting in the Youth Justice Team and wider Youth Support Service until 31 March 2027. The role centres on direct assessment and intervention for young people already in contact with the youth justice system, alongside training for other professionals and liaison with the local authority. It stands out for its focus on children and young people with complex speech, language and communication needs, working at universal, targeted and specialist levels. HCPC registration and the enhanced dysphagia competency level are essential.

What the job involves

• Direct assessment and intervention with children and young people accessing the Youth Justice Team and wider Youth Support Service
• Operational management and delivery of the speech and language therapy service for a specific clinical area or client group
• Taking a county and/or Health Board wide lead in a specialist clinical area, accountable for service planning, standards and quality
• Deputising for the head of speech and language therapy and/or service lead in the specialist area and other nominated areas
• Identifying training needs of SLT staff, carers and other professionals, and developing and delivering training
• Working closely with the local authority and networking with education and health staff
• Representing the Health Board at regional events
• Supporting development of innovative service delivery options for children and young people with complex speech, language and communication needs
• Contributing to the wider Health Board SLT team, delivering therapy in cooperation with other professionals
• Opportunities at operational and strategic level across the Health Board area

What’s required

Qualifications

• Degree in Speech and Language Therapy
• Specialist short courses or training up to Masters level or equivalent, relevant to clinical expertise
• Dysphagia competencies at enhanced level of the RCSLT Eating, Drinking and Swallowing Competency Framework 2025

Registration & licences

• HCPC registration
• RCSLT membership
• Membership of relevant CEN/SIG/PPG

Experience

• Extensive post-registration clinical experience, including managing complex cases, caseload, time and change
• Audit or service evaluation experience
• Delivering highly specialist training to varied audiences
• Supporting less experienced staff, including associate practitioners and students, with assessment and second opinions
• Demonstrable leadership experience

Skills & knowledge

• Experience of working with patients who have a learning disability, using specialist assessment tools and therapeutic interventions
• Understanding of key policies, guidelines and legislation relevant to the role

Checks & eligibility

• Full driving licence and access to a car

Other

• Able to work across a variety of sites based on service need
• Flexible approach to service needs and work pressures

Nice to have

• Basic counselling
• Knowledge of a range of research approaches
• Understanding of change management principles
• Delivering therapy through the medium of Welsh
• Supervision or line management of SLTs
• Welsh speaker (Level 1)

What’s offered

• Welsh language learning options and staff support during employment