Lead Speech and Language Therapist CAMHS

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust; Sedgefield; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Lead Speech and Language Therapist for CAMHS Neurodevelopment in the Durham & Darlington area. The role involves clinical leadership, supervision of SLT teams in Stanley and Sedgefield, and contributing to pathway development and quality improvement.

The post supports children and young people up to 18, with a focus on complex language needs within neurodevelopmental diagnoses.

Qualifications

• HCPC registration required for SLT practice.
• Post-registration Masters level learning or equivalent leadership experience.
• Substantial clinical experience delivering SLT to children/youth with neurodevelopmental needs.

Responsibilities

• Carry out observations, specialist SLT assessments and reports for complex cases.
• Provide consultation, advice and training to multidisciplinary teams and partner agencies.
• Support through leadership and supervision within CAMHS SLT teams.

Skills

Team leadership

Collaboration

Communication skills

CPD and supervision

Education

HCPC registered

Post-registration Masters level learning

Experience in relevant area

Job description

Go back Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

Lead Speech and Language Therapist CAMHS

The closing date is 22 October 2026

Are you a passionate and motivated Speech and Language Therapist looking to make a real difference in the lives of children and young people? An exciting opportunity has arisen in our Durham and Darlington CAMHS Neurodevelopment Assessment service for a full-time Band 7 SLT Lead.

The successful postholder will provide clinical leadership and supervision for our experienced teams in Stanley and Sedgefield. The teams work with children and young people up to 18 years old providing assessment of language needs as part of the differential diagnosis within neurodevelopmental disorders. As an integral member of our CAMHS leadership team, you will contribute to pathway and service development, quality improvement and strategic planning.

This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. However, sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements, therefore, we recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position. Visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Main duties of the job

Your clinical work will involve carrying out observations, specialist SLT assessments and producing comprehensive reports for a small number of complex presentations. You will provide consultation, advice and training to the wider team and partner agencies. Your professional voice and skills will be an essential part of our multi-disciplinary approach to understanding and supporting each young person.

Alongside your CAMHS colleagues, you will be part of a dynamic SLT Learning Disability and Mental Health service. This wider SLT team offers supportive colleagues who work in a range of different teams and will provide well defined peer support, supervision systems and CPD opportunities.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys being part of a friendly, experienced and inclusive team -- one that is passionate about supporting children, young people and their families. If you're flexible, enthusiastic and eager to contribute to the leadership of our CAMHS teams, we'd love to hear from you.

About us

We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.

From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care --our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.

We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.

We're committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.

We won't rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job descriptions and person specifications for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.

Person Specification

Qualifications/Experience

• Pre-registration qualification in speech and language therapy as recognised by HCPC)
• Registration with HCPC.
• Evidence of post-registration Masters level learning
• Or in the absence of masters level learning - Equivalent experience in relevant area. E.g. relevant level 7 courses, researcher role, quality improvement activity, leading service development, project management, strategic leadership, NICE involvement, service evaluation.
• Substantial clinical experience of complex speech and language therapy delivery in relevant specialist area in collaboration with service users, families and relevant others.
• Experience of working in Multidisciplinary Team (SW essential criteria)
• Complex clinical risk assessment and application in practice

personal attributes

• Ability to work as part of a collective and compassionate leadership team understanding own and other's roles, engaging within your professional group and wider service
• Able to work in accordance with the Trust Values
• Able to work effectively in complex, distressing and challenging circumstances
• Able to work flexibly and co-operatively as part of a team
• Able to use own initiative and make decisions independently
• Committed to promoting a positive image of people with mental health conditions, learning disabilities and autism
• Committed to promoting a positive image of the profession and Trust
• Self-aware and committed to professional and personal development
• Ability to work on own in a variety of settings using initiative appropriately
• Ability to work under pressure

Knowledge

• Significant experience of supporting people with mental health issues, learning disability or autism
• Significant understanding of the needs of service users with mental health conditions or learning disabilities or autism.
• Substantial knowledge of evidence- based practice in speech and language therapy

other requirements

• Ability to travel independently in accordance with Trust policies and service need.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust