Lead Speech and Language Therapist

NHS; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in the United Kingdom is seeking a Speech and Language Therapist to lead a specialist service for adults with learning disabilities. The role involves managing complex cases, providing clinical leadership, and developing training programmes to enhance communication support. Candidates should have a degree in Speech and Language Therapy and relevant clinical experience. This position emphasizes teamwork and the ability to handle complex clinical scenarios.

Qualifications

• Post-qualifying experience within a community multi-disciplinary team.
• Experience working with adults with learning disability.
• Ability to develop and deliver training programmes.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical leadership to Speech and Language Therapy staff.
• Manage a highly complex caseload of adults with learning disabilities.
• Plan and review integrated individual support plans.

Skills

Excellent written communication skills

Effective organisation and time-management skills

Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team

Counselling skills

Education

Degree or equivalent in Speech and Language Therapy

Registered member of RCSLT and HCPC

Completion of specialist courses up to Master’s level

Job description

Job Summary

If you are an energetic and motivated Speech and Language Therapist with a commitment to excellence in clinical practice and successful outcomes for people with a learning disability, then this role will appeal to you. You will have the necessary clinical experience and leadership skills to manage SLT resources within the service as part of a high‑skill multi‑disciplinary team in the community.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical leadership and management to Speech and Language Therapy staff (and students) including recruitment, supervision, appraisal and professional development, and mandatory training.
• Deliver a countywide specialist learning disability Speech and Language Therapy service, managing a highly complex caseload of adults with learning disabilities, challenging behaviour, mental health and forensic needs.
• Plan, implement and regularly review integrated individual support plans for each client in conjunction with team members.
• Provide specialist assessment, identification, treatment and management of communication and swallowing needs, including risk assessment and management of complex conditions such as dysphagia and epilepsy.
• Deliver training in alternative and augmentative communication, manual sign and symbol use, and enable its implementation across various communication environments.
• Coordinate and facilitate the production of accessible information for service users, staff and carers.
• Lead multidisciplinary and multi‑agency working, liaising with other professionals and external agencies such as mental health teams, drug and alcohol services and palliative care.
• Act as a case manager for complex cases, ensuring confidentiality and promoting complementary working relationships.
• Travel independently around the county to meet strict time deadlines.

Person Specification

Education – Essential

• Degree or equivalent in Speech and Language Therapy
• Registered member of RCSLT and HCPC
• Successful completion of specialist courses up to Master’s level (e.g., Dysphagia Qualification, recognised signing course)

Education – Desirable

• Membership of a relevant Special Interest Group
• Management qualification

Experience – Essential

• Post‑qualifying experience within a community multi‑disciplinary team
• Experience working with adults with learning disability
• Care coordination in case management
• Providing clinical supervision and leadership
• Developing and delivering training programmes

Experience – Desirable

• Service user and carer involvement development
• Recruitment and selection
• Managing a staffing resource effectively

Skills & Abilities – Essential

• Excellent written, presentation and verbal communication skills
• Effective organisation and time‑management skills
• Reflective practice and critical appraisal of own and staff performance
• Ability to work as part of a multi‑disciplinary team
• Representing the views of others and managing change
• Encouraging and facilitating good teamwork
• Delivering health education training
• Customer care skills and advanced sensory skills
• Expertise in digital recording equipment
• Service provision in diverse environments

Skills & Abilities – Desirable

• Counselling skills

Knowledge & Understanding – Essential

• MHA and MCA knowledge
• Research and audit processes
• Clinical governance
• IT skills
• Current trends, legislation and guidance in support for people with learning disabilities and their carers
• Treatment strategies and the Enabling approach
• Continuous professional development
• Implications of loss, trauma and abuse for learning‑disabled individuals
• Research methodologies

Knowledge & Understanding – Desirable

• Participation in research and audit

Other Requirements – Desirable

• Ability to travel within a rural location

Commitment to Equality

As an equal opportunities employer we encourage applications from all sectors of the community, particularly from under‑represented groups including people with long‑term conditions, and members of ethnic minority and LGBTQ+ communities.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a submission to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) will be required.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers requiring current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

Employer Details

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust

Sunley House, Summers Hill Drive, Papworth Everard, CB23 3AB

Website: https://www.cpft.nhs.uk/

Additional Information

For further details, a professional registration confirmation is required, and information is available on the NHS Careers website.