Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist/Clinical Lead for DLD

The Methodist Church in Britain; Newport; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Learning and development opportunities

Flexible working where possible

Comprehensive NHS benefits package

Regular clinical supervision and team

Job summary

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board's Children's Community Speech and Language Therapy Team invites applications for a Band 7 post leading the DLD caseload, balancing direct clinical work with team leadership.

You will assess and treat children and young people with developmental language disorder while guiding colleagues through the ALN system and strengthening evidence-based practice across the service.

Qualifications

• Qualified Speech and Language Therapist with HCPC registration
• RCSLT membership preferred or essential as indicated in the posting

Responsibilities

• Provide expert assessment, intervention and clinical leadership for children and young people with DLD
• Provide team and clinical leadership for the service
• Lead on developing knowledge, confidence and competence across the wider SLT workforce
• Support colleagues to navigate the ALN system to ensure timely support
• Promote high-quality clinical practice including decision-making and outcome measurement
• Collaborate with education, health and third-sector partners to improve outcomes
• Contribute to service development, innovation and evidence-based practice

Skills

Clinical leadership

Team leadership

Communication

Reflective practice

Empathy

Adaptability

Education

Speech and language therapy degree

Job description

This Band 7 post leads the DLD caseload within the Children's Community Speech and Language Therapy Team at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, combining direct clinical work with team leadership. The post holder assesses and treats children and young people with developmental language disorder, while helping colleagues navigate the Additional Learning Needs system and strengthening evidence-based practice across the team. Line management of less experienced therapists is part of the role, and Welsh is desirable rather than essential. Fit depends on HCPC and RCSLT membership.

What the job involves

• Provide expert assessment, intervention, advice and clinical leadership for children and young people with DLD
• Provide team and clinical leadership for the service
• Lead on developing knowledge, confidence and competence across the wider speech and language therapy workforce
• Support colleagues to understand and navigate the ALN system so children receive support at the right time
• Promote consistent, high-quality clinical practice, including decision-making, outcome measurement and documentation
• Work with education, health and third-sector partners to improve outcomes for children, young people and families
• Contribute to service development, innovation and implementation of evidence-based practice

What’s required

Qualifications

• Speech and language therapy degree
• Evidence of appropriate CPD
• Awareness of NHS structures, strategies, and Health Board policies and systems
• Understanding of systems of prioritisation

Registration & licences

• HCPC registration
• RCSLT membership

Experience

• Significant advanced specialist experience in a specific clinical area
• Supervising less experienced SLTs and holding line management responsibilities
• Involvement in innovative working practices
• Contributing to local clinical guidelines
• Involvement in planning local service delivery

Other

• Team player, flexible and adaptable to service needs
• Resilience in emotionally demanding situations
• Sound reflective practice skills, worked through with mentors
• Empathy and personal initiative
• Ability to accept the standards of others

Nice to have

• Introduction to management training
• Ability to speak Welsh, or awareness of Welsh language and bilingual issues
• Evidence of innovative practice in developing SLT services
• Operational responsibility for a specific area
• Leading the development of local clinical guidelines
• Ability to motivate others and initiate change
• Helping junior staff reflect on their practice
• Excellent problem-solving skills

What’s offered

• Learning and development opportunities
• Flexible working where possible
• Comprehensive NHS benefits package
• Regular clinical supervision and team meetings