Specialist Neonatal and Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist

NHS; Kingston upon Thames; On-site; GBP 53,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Kingston upon Thames seeks an experienced Speech and Language Therapist to join their team in Neonatal and Paediatric wards. The role involves assessing and treating infants and children with communication and feeding difficulties. Candidates must have relevant qualifications and experience, and the position offers a supportive environment for professional development.

Benefits

On-site staff nursery

Wellbeing resources

Employee assistance programme

Qualifications

• RCSLT accredited degree required.
• Experience in paediatric/infant dysphagia is essential.
• Ability to conduct videofluoroscopy independently.

Responsibilities

• Assess, diagnose, treat, and discharge patients with feeding and communication difficulties.
• Work collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team.
• Supervise and mentor junior staff and students.

Skills

Autonomy

Assessment and diagnosis

Evidence-based practice

Neonatal & paediatric dysphagia

Communication skills

Education

RCSLT accredited degree in Speech & Language Therapy

Post graduate qualification in Paediatric and Neonatal Dysphagia

Tools

Videofluoroscopy

FEES competencies

Job description

Overview

Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust – Specialist Neonatal and Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist

The closing date is 07 October 2025

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Neonatal / Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist to join our friendly team of acute Speech and Language Therapists at Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust. The post will be based at Kingston Hospital working predominantly on the Neonatal and Paediatric wards.

You will be the sole Speech and Language Therapist for the neonatal unit / paediatric wards, therefore the ability to work autonomously is essential. There is an AHP therapy team, who you will develop strong links with and take part in an AHP-led developmental ward round, and you will gain professional support from the wider Adult Acute Team and Community Paediatric SLT team. A comprehensive supervision structure is in place, and you will be well supported in your role by the SLT department and wider MDT.

Experience of working with neonates and children with feeding, eating and swallowing difficulties in an acute or community setting is essential. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing and prioritising a caseload of neonatal and paediatric in-patients presenting with a range of feeding / swallowing difficulties. Collaborative joint working with the community teams is strongly encouraged. Occasional attendance at paediatric outpatient clinics may be required from time totime and there will be opportunities to help develop the service in collaboration with the Principal SLT and paediatric and neonatal teams and community teams.

Main duties of the job

At a highly specialist level, you will independently assess, diagnose, treat, and discharge neonates and paediatric patients with suspected or confirmed feeding, swallowing, eating, drinking and communication difficulties within the neonatal unit and paediatric wards. You will work collaboratively as an integral member of the neonatal and paediatric multidisciplinary team, supporting staff and families to identify babies and children at risk of dysphagia and communication challenges to establish safe, effective, and positive oral feeding and supportive communication practices.

You will provide expert clinical advice and/or interventions for complex neonatal and paediatric dysphagia cases and contribute to the development and implementation of evidence-based feeding and communication pathways. As part of the wider neonatal team, you will promote developmental care principles to support optimal neurodevelopmental outcomes for babies and support with advocation of Baby Friendly Initiative principles on the neonatal and paediatric wards.

In addition to clinical duties, you will take a leadership role in service development, audit, education, and training of staff and families, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and family-integrated care. You will also supervise and mentor junior staff and students, ensuring high standards of clinical practice

About us

Development and staff wellbeing

Your growth and personal happiness matter to us. After all, we can't expect the best from you if we don't invest in your development and nurture your wellbeing. From the moment you join us, we're committed to fostering your professional and personal development within a supportive, empowering environment. Whether you're just starting your career or looking to advance further, we provide you with the tools and opportunities you need to succeed. We actively support colleagues to take part in research, quality improvement and innovation, whatever their role or level in the organisation.

To support your wellbeing, we offer an extensive range of resources, including an on-site staff nursery at Kingston Hospital, wellbeing practitioners, regular wellbeing classes, dedicated staff physiotherapist, comprehensive occupational health services, 24/7 employee assistance programme, and a range of other support and activities.

We also take every opportunity to thank and recognise the work our teams do, through weekly 'shoutouts' and patient feedback, monthly and annual awards.

Wherever you work across our organisation, we look forward to welcoming you.

Job responsibilities

***Please see the attached supporting document/s which contains more information about the role in the job description and person specification***

Person Specification

• RCSLT accredited degree in Speech & Language Therapy
• Post graduate qualification (e.g. MSc/post graduate diploma or certificate at Intermediate or Advanced level) in Paediatric and Neonatal Dysphagia
• RCSLT Level C in Neonatal Dysphagia
• Extensive post qualification experience working within paediatric/infant dysphagia
• Post graduate qualification (e.g. MSc/post graduate diploma or certificate) or RCSLT competencies in Videofluoroscopy or FEES
• Ability to carry out videofluoroscopy or FEES independently
• Specialist SLT skills in the assessment, differential diagnosis and management of neonatal and paediatric feeding, swallowing, eating and drinking, and communication difficulties using evidence-based practice
• Current best practice in the assessment, differential diagnosis and management of neonatal and paediatric feeding, swallowing, eating and drinking, and communication difficulties
• Competent in neonatal / paediatric tracheostomy management
• Experience of developing and running quality improvement projects

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.

Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust

£53,751 to £60,651 a year Pro rata pa incl. HCAS