Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist/Clinical Lead for DLD

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board; Newport; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) is seeking an experienced Speech and Language Therapist to join our Children’s Community SLT Team as Clinical Lead for DLD. This Band 7 role combines advanced clinical practice with leadership across the service and opportunities to influence service delivery and workforce development.

You will lead clinical practice, promote evidence-based care, and work with education and health partners to improve outcomes for children with language disorders.

Qualifications

• Speech and Language Therapy degree and HCPC/RCSLT involvement are essential.
• Experience leading SLT teams and developing services is required.
• Ability to navigate ALN system and formulate service improvements.
• Commitment to evidence-based practice and staff development.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert assessment and leadership for children with DLD.
• Lead knowledge development within SLT workforce.
• Support colleagues to navigate ALN system.
• Promote high-quality, evidence-based practice and documentation.
• Collaborate with education, health and third sector partners.
• Contribute to service development and innovation.

Skills

Team leadership

Clinical leadership

Communication skills

Education

Speech and Language Therapy Degree

HCPC registration

RCSLT membership

Management training (Desirable)

Welsh language awareness (Desirable)

Job description

Qualifications

Essential criteria

Experience

Essential criteria

We encourage applications from all with protected characteristics, including disabled and neurodiverse candidates and from those in the Armed Forces Community. Applicants are invited to apply in Welsh, any application submitted through the medium of Welsh will not be treated less favourably than applications made in English. Each job advert includes the relevant manager’s contact details, and you are encouraged to discuss any adjustments you may require directly with them. There is no obligation to disclose any personal or medical information—simply let us know what support would help you to participate fully. Please let us know if you have any particular requirements to enable you to participate in the application and selection process. We will be pleased to discuss any reasonable adjustments or support needed. If you need any documents in a larger font or a different format (such as braille) please either contact the recruiting manager named in the job advert or alternatively contact the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board recruitment team on 01495 745805 option 3 or email [e-mail] If you are successful at interview for this post you will receive your conditional offer of appointment and information pack via email. We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time. Therefore we encourage early applications to ensure consideration for this post. If you are short listed for this post, you will be contacted via your email account you used to apply for this post, therefore please check your account regularly. Please check your email account regularly. Successful applicants will receive all recruitment related correspondence via the email account registered on the application form. Aneurin Bevan University Health Board support flexible working. Health Board grounds are required to be smoke‑free by law. Smoking is not permitted anywhere on ABUHB sites. This applies to all staff, contractors, patients and visitors. More details are available in our Smoke‑Free Environment Policy. For help to quit smoking please contact our Help Me Quit Team About Help Me Quit - Aneurin Bevan University Health Board. Please note that this vacancy may be withdrawn at any time should it be filled via the internal redeployment process.

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board support flexible working.

Health Board grounds are required to be smoke‑free by law. Smoking is not permitted anywhere on ABUHB sites. This applies to all staff, contractors, patients and visitors. More details are available in our Smoke‑Free Environment Policy. For help to quit smoking please contact our Help Me Quit Team About Help Me Quit - Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.

Please note that this vacancy may be withdrawn at any time should it be filled via the internal redeployment process.

Job Overview

Are you passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)? Do you enjoy supporting others, driving clinical excellence and shaping service development? If so, we would love to hear from you. An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and enthusiastic Speech and Language Therapist to join our Children's Community Speech and Language Therapy Team as our Clinical Lead for DLD. This Band 7 role provides team and clinical leadership for the service, combining advanced clinical practice with the opportunity to influence service delivery, support workforce development and promote evidence‑based practice across the team.

Main duties of the job

• Provide expert assessment, intervention, advice and clinical leadership for children and young people with DLD.
• Lead on developing knowledge, confidence and competence within the wider Speech and Language Therapy workforce.
• Support colleagues to understand and navigate the Additional Learning Needs (ALN) system, ensuring children with language difficulties receive the right support at the right time.
• Promote high‑quality, consistent clinical practice, including decision‑making, outcome measurement and documentation.
• Work collaboratively with education, health and third‑sector partners to improve outcomes for children, young people and their families.
• Contribute to service development, innovation and the implementation of evidence‑based practice.

Applicants should be innovative and enthusiastic, be particularly interested in supporting evidence‑based practice and committed to developing and delivering services to children and young people, their education providers and their families.

The post holder will be supported with regular clinical supervision and team meetings.

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

This is a permanent post.

Please contact Rebecca Hammonds, Professional Leadfor Children’s Services on 01633 431639 with any queries about the role or for further information.

Working for our organisation

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) is a multi‑award‑winning NHS organisation serving the communities of Gwent. With more than 14,000 staff and volunteers, we provide safe, high‑quality, and compassionate care across hospitals, GP practices, community services, and mental health settings. As a University Health Board, research, education, and innovation are central to our work, supporting evidence‑based practice and continuous improvement.

Our work is guided by the Gwent Strategy 2025–2035, which sets out our long‑term ambition to create a fairer and healthier future for our population. We focus on prevention, reducing health inequalities, and working in partnership with local authorities, voluntary organisations, and communities to improve health and wellbeing.

Kindness, Integrity, and Respect shape how we care for patients and how we treat one another.

We offer a wide range of learning and development opportunities, flexible working where possible, and a comprehensive NHS benefits package. Working for ABUHB means being part of an organisation that values its people and offers the chance to build a meaningful and rewarding career while making a real difference to the lives of others.

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Speech and Language Therapy Degree. Member of HCPC. Member of RCSLT. Awareness of NHS structures and strategies. Evidence of Appropriate CPD General department and Health Board policies and systems. Systems of prioritisation.

Desirable criteria

• Introduction to management training. Awareness of Welsh language/bilingual issues.

Experience

Essential criteria

• Significant experience in specific clinical area. Advanced specialist clinical experience. Supervision of less experienced SLTs Line management responsibilities. Involvement in innovative working practices. Contributing to development of local clinical guidelines. Involvement in planning local service delivery.

Desirable criteria

• Evidence of innovate practice in the development of SLT services. Operational responsibility for specific area. Leading the development of local clinical guidelines.

Values

Essential criteria

• Team player. Flexible and adaptable to the needs of the service. Resilience to emotionally demanding situations. Ability to accept standards of others. Sound reflective practice skills with mentors. Empathy. Personal initiative.

Desirable criteria

• Ability to motivate others. Ability to initiate process of change. Able to help juniors to reflect on practice. Excellent problem‑solving skills.