Speech and Language Therapist

OUH; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 49,000 - 57,000; Part time

Job summary

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a part-time Speech and Language Therapist (Band 7) for Oxford Children’s Hospital, on a 12-month FTC. The post is based at John Radcliffe Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Oxford.

You will work within the Community Paediatric MDT, providing education and teaching, with supervision arranged by the Team Lead for Children’s Therapies. Closing date 30 October 2026.

Qualifications

• Qualified Speech and Language Therapist with HCPC registration.
• Experience with Developmental Language Disorders and Autism preferred.
• Ability to teach and provide supervision within a MDT setting.

Responsibilities

• Assess and intervene as part of Community Paediatric MDT.
• Support service evaluation, benchmarking and data collection.
• Stay up to date with Developmental Language Disorders and Autism evidence base.

Skills

Developmental Language Disorders

Autism

Education and teaching

Clinical supervision

Research and audit

Education

Degree in Speech and Language Therapy

Tools

ADOS

Job description

Main area Speech and Language Therapist Grade NHS AfC: Band 7 Contract Fixed term: 12 months (FTC Until November 2027) Hours Part time - 15 hours per week Job ref 321-NOTSS-8280269-B7-A

Site John Radcliffe Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre Town Oxford Salary £49,387 - £56,515 pro rata per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 30/10/2026 23:59

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research.

The Trust comprises of four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call thisDelivering Compassionate Excellenceand its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence.

Many of our recruitment programmes useValue Based Interviewingto identify those who have the skills we seek, who share our values and who are able to deliver compassionate excellence from the outset. We know that this makes a significant difference to your job satisfaction and above all the outcomes and experience of our patients and their families. For more information about our Values and Value Based Interviewing please visit www.ouh.nhs.uk/about/vision-and-values

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Speech and Language Therapist with experience and interest in further developing their specialist skills within Developmental Language Disorders and Autism. The service is based within Oxford Children’s Hospital. You will be working as part of a well-established multidisciplinary team offering input to children and young people referred to the Multi-Disciplinary Assessment Team via the Community Paediatric Service. Providing education and teaching is a core aspect of the role. Line Management will be provided by the Team Lead for Children’s Therapies and Clinical supervision will be sourced according to the experience and needs of the post holder.

Main duties of the job

Primary role to include assessment, intervention, consultation, undertaking research and audit, supervision, and training.

• To work as an integral member of the Community Paediatric Multi-Disciplinary Assessment Team
• To support the Children’s Therapies Team Lead with service evaluation, benchmarking, data collection and other delegated tasks
• To stay up to date with the evolving evidence base in Developmental Language Disorders and Autistic Spectrum Disorders

Working for our organisation

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence, and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence.These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel.

In 2023NHS England launched its first sexual safety charter, and our Trust proudly signed it. We pledge zero tolerance for inappropriate sexual behaviour and commit to the ten core principles Oxford University Hospitals promotes a safe, respectful hiring environment. If you want to make a difference with us, come and join our team. Together, we will uphold the highest standards of care and professionalism.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Tasks and Responsibilities:

CLINICAL:

• To utilise a range of formal and informal approaches to assess the child’s communication and interaction skills and to support the MDT in identifying cognitive, behavioural and emotional needs, and to inform subsequent diagnosis. treatment and intervention.
• Maintain an in-depth, comprehensive knowledge of speech, language, cognitive, communication and behavioural presentations resulting from a range of conditions including but not restricted to Autism, early infant experience and the impact of medical conditions.
• Access and provide regular opportunities for reliability and calibration of ADOS delivery through activities such as: consensus coding; peer observation and feedback; clinical discussion, to maintain quality standards in administration and analysis.
• Based on assessment results provide advice and where required support colleagues to develop and implement highly specialist time limited programmes of intervention/support appropriate to the needs of children and their families.
• Delivery of post diagnostic support to families, including Autism information sessions.
• Work closely with members of the MDT to holistically identify the range of needs of the child and family.
• To communicate effectively, empathetically, and clearly with patients, families and carers regarding issues that are frequently highly complicated and emotionally charged. This may require managing difficulties in understanding, or overcoming communication difficulties with patients, family, or carers.
• To communicate effectively and clearly with clinical colleagues regarding assessments and interventions by organizing and putting across information in a relevant and usable form in both written and spoken reports, as well as in day-to day liaison.
• To critically reflect on own and others’ performance and use this evaluation to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, and quality of future practice.
• To identify own training needs and to keep skills up to date.
• To continue to meet the clinical competencies and continuing professional development standards according to HCPC and RCSLT.
• To demonstrate good organisational skills in terms of time and caseload management.
• To appropriately seek and use supervision to review complex case material, develop skills, plan continuing professional development, set learning targets and address any issues which may be relevant to the fulfillment of your role.
• In carrying out the duties of the post, to cope with and manage challenging behaviour at times, including verbal abuse and risk of physical aggression (for example from children with learning disability, ADHD, pronounced behavioural and/or emotional difficulties).
• To behave in a professional manner at all times
• To exercise standard keyboard skills and operate electronic equipment such as tablets and laptops for video recording and digital training.
• To engage with Community Speech and Language Therapy colleagues to maintain links to facilitate an integrated approach to assessment and diagnosis for children with suspected Developmental Language Disorders and Autistic Spectrum Disorders.

CONSULTATION:

• To provide expertise and specialist paediatric speech and language therapy advice and consultation to other professionals in relation to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and care.

RESEARCH:

• To carry out and co-operate in audit/service-related projects.
• To monitor and evaluate clinical effectiveness and evidence-based practice using appropriate outcome measures.
• To participate in research conducted within the department in discussion with the Children’s Therapies Lead and MDA Lead.
• To use computer software in developing and operating systems for storage and analysis of data and creation of reports for colleagues in relation to audit activities and clinical research.

TEACHING, TRAINING AND SUPERVISION:

• To provide teaching and training to other professional colleagues/staff groups at local, and national level.
• To present on relevant research/practice at events/forums.
• To provide student education and create an appropriate learning environment for placement-based education.
• To provide regular clinical and/or peer supervision to colleagues within the team.

MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP

• To provide Line Management support within the team.
• To provide governance, strategic and recruitment support as requested to the Children’s Therapies Team Lead, Head of Children’s Therapies and Lead Consultant for Community Paediatrics.
• To fully engage in the OUH Trust and Team strategies including five-year plans
• To attend Trust working parties as requested by the Service Lead to contribute to strategic service and times Trust wide development.

ADMINISTRATIVE/ORGANISATIONAL:

• To take part in service/departmental policy implementation and development (by for example actively working on policy implementation, as well as raising issues and proposing and discussing changes).
• To manage own time effectively within the demands of the service
• To ensure timely recording in patient’s records using paper and electronic systems
• Work across the Trust to support gaps in service as identified by the Lead for the service, as required.
• Input data into the database including outcome measures.

GENERAL:

• To observe personal duty of care in relation to equipment and resources, such as computer equipment, and psychometric test materials.
• To maintain effective paper and electronic records and develop information recording systems as appropriate in performing the duties of the job.

General Conditions

The management of risk is the responsibility of everyone and will be achieved within a progressive, honest and open environment.

Staff will be provided with the necessary education, training and support to enable them to meet this responsibility.

Staff should be familiar with the

and should make themselves familiar with the ‘local response’ plan and their role within that response.

Responsibilities for Health and Safety

The post holder is responsible for ensuring that all duties and responsibilities of this post are carried out in compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, Statutory Regulations and Trust Policies and Procedures. This will be supported by the provision of training and specialist advice where required.

Infection Control

Infection Control is everyone’s responsibility. All staff, both clinical and non-clinical, are required to adhere to the Trusts’ Infection Prevention and Control Policies and make every effort to maintain high standards of infection control at all times thereby reducing the burden of Healthcare Associated Infections including MRSA.

All staff employed by OUH have the following key responsibilities:

Staff must wash their hands or use alcohol gel on entry and exit from all clinical areas and/or between each patient contact.

Staff members have a duty to attend mandatory infection control training provided for them by the Trust.

Staff members who develop an infection (other than common colds and illness) that may be transmittable to patients have a duty to contact Occupational Health.

Child Protection

The post holder will endeavour at all times to uphold the rights of children and young people in accordance with the UN Convention Rights of the Child.

Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults

The Trust is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults throughout the organisation. As a member of the trust there is a duty to assist in protecting patients and their families from any form of harm when they are vulnerable.

Information Governance

All staff must complete annual information governance training. If you have a Trust email account this can be completed on-line, otherwise you must attend a classroom session. For further details, go to the Information Governance intranet site.

Data Quality

Data quality is a vital element of every member of staff’s job role. Oxford University Hospitals recognises the importance of information in the provision of patient care and in reporting on its performance. Data quality is therefore crucial in ensuring complete, timely and accurate information is available in support of patient care, clinical governance, performance management, service planning, and financial and resource planning and performance.

All staff should ensure that they have read and understood the Trust’s Data Quality Policy.

Person specification

Essential and Desirable

• Degree in Speech and Language Therapy
• Experience of clinical work with children who have Developmental Language Disorder
• HCPC Registered
• Experience in individual therapy work with families and group work
• Ability to undertake clinical and service-related audit or research consistent with the needs of the department and in keeping with the job requirements
• Experience of direct work within the specialist component of the role
• Experience of assessment of complex and varying communication profiles
• Experience of contributing to diagnostic decision making

Sexual Safety Charter : In 2023NHS England launched its first sexual safety charter, and our Trust proudly signed it. We pledge zero tolerance for inappropriate sexual behaviour and commit tothe ten core principles

Oxford University Hospitals promotes a safe, respectful hiring environment.

If you want to make a difference with us, come and join our team. Together, we will uphold the highest standards of care and professionalism.

Vacancy Closures: Please note, this vacancy may close early if a high volume of applications are received.

Visa and Immigration: Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is able to offer Certificates of Sponsorship for all eligible roles for a Skilled Worker Visa without exception, provided the role meets the minimum salary and skill level criteria set by the Home Office (UKVI). All eligible candidates will be considered with equal consideration at all stages of the application and recruitment process. Skilled worker: Health and Care Visa | NHS Employers / Work in the UK - GOV.UK

COVID-19: The COVID-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course our patients from the virus when working in our healthcare settings. Whilst COVID-19 vaccination is not a condition of employment, we do encourage our staff to get vaccinated. If you are unvaccinated there is helpful advice and information at Oxfordshire County Council Website where you can also find out more about how to access vaccination.

Probation Period: This post is subject to a 6 month probationary period. If you currently hold a contract of employment with the Oxford University Hospitals, this will not apply. This statement does not apply to Medical staff or Executive Appointments.

Referencing: When providing employment reference details please provide correct work related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your first referee will need to be your line manager, supervisor or clinical lead from your current or most recent post or place of study. Please note that if you have previously worked for the Trust we will require a reference from your last Manager, this information is essential if your offer of employment is to be confirmed.

To note: Applicants must write their own applications. If AI tools are used, the application may be rejected as this document is crucial for assessment. This does not prevent you from seeking support via AI with applications for the purposes of any disability and/or long-term health conditions.

When using AI to help write your application, it is important to personalise it, especially your supporting statement. While AI can simplify the process, it will not fully understand the job's requirements and/or be able to showcase your skills, knowledge, and experience. Write your statement to show why you are interested in the role and how you would be a valued member of the team/OUH employee.

No unsolicited recruitment agency telephone calls or emails.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

Please note that this job advertisement will close automatically once the application limit is reached, regardless of whether this occurs before the advertised closing date.

Band 5 NurseandBand 2 Healthcare Support Workerrecruitment iscentralised, meaning when you apply you will be considered fora number of rolesacross the Trust. If you have any questions please email: [e-mail] .

Vacancies with our PFI partners

Domestic / catering / porteringservices at theJohn Radcliffe Hospitalare provided byMitie.

Domestic / catering / portering / maintenance engineerservices at theChurchill HospitalandNuffield Orthopaedic Centreare provided byG4S.

Maintenance engineer services at the John Radcliffe Hospital are provided by Equans.

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