Specialist Speech And Language Therapist - Pre-School Language

Walsall Healthcare Nhs Trust; Walsall; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Part time

Job summary

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is recruiting a part-time Band 6 Specialist Speech and Language Therapist for the Children's Speech and Language Therapy Service. You will assess, diagnose and treat preschool children with speech, language and communication needs and work with families to boost school readiness.

Travel across the Walsall borough is required, with expenses subsidised, and you will contribute to early intervention strategies and service development within a supportive

Qualifications

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree or equivalent.
• HCPC Licence to Practice.
• Registered with Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist SLT assessment, diagnosis and intervention for pre-school children.
• Collaborate with families, Family Hubs, early years settings and multidisciplinary teams.
• Contribute to service development, quality improvement and local/national priorities.

Skills

Communication skills

Collaborative teamwork

Travel flexibility

Education

SLT degree

HCPC Licence

RCST registration

Job description

Job summary

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust has an exciting opportunity for a part-time Band 6 Specialist Speech and Language Therapist within the Children's Speech and Language Therapy Service. We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated therapist with specialist knowledge of preschool speech, language and communication development. The successful candidate will work with preschool children and their families, delivering assessment, intervention, advice and training to improve communication outcomes and school readiness. This role supports the development of the Best Start in Life Strategy and Family Hub programme, offering the opportunity to contribute to early intervention and prevention initiatives across Walsall. You will work across a range of community settings, including Family Hubs, nurseries and clinics, as part of a supportive multidisciplinary team. The role involves travel across the Walsall borough, with travel expenses subsidised. Regular clinical supervision and professional development opportunities will be provided. Walsall Speech and Language Therapy Service is a district-wide integrated service within a progressive Allied Health Professionals Care Group, committed to innovation, workforce development and high-quality care for children and families.

PLEASE NOTE, WE MAY CLOSE THIS VACANCY EARLY IF WE RECEIVE A HIGH NUMBERS OF APPLICATIONS.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will provide specialist Speech and Language Therapy assessment, diagnosis and intervention for pre-school children with speech, language and communication needs. They will deliver evidence-based, child-centred interventions that support communication development, school readiness, participation and improved outcomes for children and families. Working as a specialist practitioner in preschool language development, the post holder will collaborate with families, Family Hubs, early years settings and multidisciplinary teams to identify needs early and provide timely support. They will offer advice, training and consultation to parents, carers and professionals, contributing to the service strategy, reducing inequalities and promoting positive developmental outcomes through early intervention and prevention. The post holder will also contribute to service development, quality improvement, and the implementation of local and national priorities for early years and SEND services, ensuring high-quality, evidence-based care is delivered.

About us

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is an integrated Trust and the only provider of NHS acute care in Walsall, serving a population of 284,300. It provides inpatient and outpatient services at the Manor Hospital as well as a wide range of services in the community. Walsall Manor houses the full range of district general hospital services under one roof. The £170 million development was completed in 2010, and ongoing upgrades ensure the Trust now has state-of-the-art facilities, including a Critical Care Unit, Neonatal Unit, Obstetric Theatre, and Integrated Assessment Unit. A new Urgent and Emergency Care Centre, opened in March 2023, has significantly improved emergency care facilities and capacity, providing almost 5,000 square metres of additional clinical space.

Details

Date posted: 28 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 407-COMMUNITY-8325589

Job responsibilities

• Communicates complex condition specific information to clients, carers and multi-disciplinary team members.
• Contributes to clinical teams both multi-disciplinary and uni-disciplinary working across organisations through the development of appropriate care plans.
• Provides specialist advice to clients, carers and multi-disciplinary team members.
• Promotes the role and understanding of the profession within the local community.
• Provides clear and concise written reports in line with departmental standards reflecting specialist knowledge.
• Provides advice training and support to others regarding the appropriate management and care of clients.
• May respond initially to complaints reporting to Head of Service on all occasions.
• Leads a specialist area and/or designated project.
• Facilitates the development of others problem solving/negotiation skills within peer review/support context and through supervision.
• Leads the development of local clinical guidelines informed by evidence for clinical specialism.
• Provides mentoring and support to more junior speech and language therapists and Assistant Speech and Language Therapists.
• Contributes to speech and language therapy student placements.
• Provides specialist training and presentation in area of clinical expertise.
• Initiates and undertakes research/audit particularly in area of clinical expertise and/or designated project.
• Participates and develops innovations in areas of risk management, quality standards setting and clinical effectiveness.
• Represents team with multi-disciplinary systems of clinical governance within an organisation, in close liaison with line manager.
• Contributes to the identification of training needs within the department with specific responsibility for designated specialist clinical area.
• Directs and participates in local and national research initiatives within the specialist area.
• Manages caseload within departmental standards/integrated team standards.
• Manages own time and prioritises workload within the specialist service.
• Reports to line manager on issues of concern, project progress.
• Provides data/reports against agreed KPIs.
• Contributes to training and teaching programmes.
• Contributes to the planning and delivery of specialist services working with Head of Service to co-ordinate appropriate service delivery.
• Identifies areas for own personal/professional development including specific objectives relating to the clinical specialism and project area.
• Uses specialist knowledge to inform clinical judgements/decision making for the management of complex cases.
• Defines a differential diagnosis based on assessment findings using specialist clinical skills.
• Refers client on to other services as appropriate.
• Adapts management plans according to individual circumstances.
• Understands and adheres to National and Local clinical guidelines.
• Understands legislation as it relates to the highly specialist clinical area.
• Understands and adheres to Trust policies relevant to the service area.
• Assesses, develops and implements specialist SLT programmes.
• Negotiates with carers/clients around individual case management, recognising breakdown/conflict when this occurs and generate potential solutions.
• Maintains timely and accurate client records in line with the Trust and Departmental records management policy.
• Demonstrates clinical effectiveness by the use of evidence-based practice and outcome measures in relation to the specialist area.
• Contributes to the development of the Annual Service Development Plan regarding relevant clinical specialisms and/or designated project.
• Understands and adheres to policies and professional standards.
• Contributes to inter-agency team building and policy development within the integrated team.

Person Specification

Qualifications (Essential)

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent
• Health Professions Council - Licence to Practice
• Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapist

Qualifications (Desirable)

• Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses

Knowledge and experience (Essential)

• Relevant experience as part of undergraduate/postgraduate training.
• Relevant experience post preceptorship period.
• Demonstrates advanced knowledge of assessment tools relevant to the specialist client group.
• Demonstrates advanced knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions (relevant to the client group).
• Understands the principles of clinical governance /audit and how this relates to the specialist service area.
• Has an awareness of the roles of other professionals (relevant to the client group).

Key competencies (Essential)

• Assessment of communication disorders
• Management of communication disorders
• Ability to prioritise/triage caseload

Skills and aptitudes (Essential)

• Demonstrates effective negotiation and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrates good presentation skills, both written and verbal

Flexibility (Essential)

• Ability to travel

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. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found on the criminal records checks for overseas applicants page.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website.

Employer details

Employer name: Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust
Address: Blakenall Village Centre, 1 Thames Road, Walsall, WS3 1LZ, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://walsallhealthcare.nhs.uk

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact: Speech and Language Therapy Service Manager, Elizabeth Wassall, [e-mail], 07581005067