Speech & Language Therapist Early Years Complex Needs (& Dysphagia)

Sirona-Care-; Bristol; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 57,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS Agenda for Change Salary

27+ days annual leave

NHS Pension Scheme

Job summary

Sirona care & health CIC in Bristol is seeking a Speech & Language Therapist (Early Years) to manage a caseload of young children with complex needs. You will support communication development and, where qualified, feeding and swallowing skills, as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

The role is NHS-based, with a Band 6/7 level dependent on experience, and a fixed-term maternity cover for 12 months. 30 hours per week with flexible working options are available.

Qualifications

• Experience of working with children with complex needs.
• Experience working with dysphagia.
• HCPC registration is required.
• Evidence of master-level CPD in clinical specialty.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of 0-5 year olds with complex needs.
• Support communication development and, if qualified, eating and swallowing skills.
• Provide supervision and guidance within a multidisciplinary team.
• Triage referrals and provide line management for junior staff.

Skills

Complex needs experience

Dysphagia experience

Clinical specialist experience

Line management experience

Dysphagia in under 1s

Education

Degree level qualification recognised by Professional Governing Body

HCPC Registration

Master level CPD training in clinical specialism

Job description

Main area Children's Speech & Language Therapy Grade Band 6 / 7 dependent on experience Contract Fixed term: 12 months (Maternity Leave Cover) Hours

• Part time
• Job share
• Flexible working

30 hours per week Job ref 083-8288019-WW

Employer Sirona care & health CIC Employer type NHS Site Patchway Hub Town Bristol Salary £39,959 - £56,515 per annum, pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 10/10/2026 23:59

Speech & Language Therapist Early Years Complex Needs (& Dysphagia)

Band 6 / 7 dependent on experience

Please note that if you apply for a position with Sirona care & health, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac Account and email accounts.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient applications are received prior to the advertised closing date.

Job overview

Are you passionate about working with children with complex needs? We are looking for an experienced, ideally dysphagia qualified, Speech and Language Therapist to manage a caseload of 0-5 year olds with complex needs. You will be supporting these children with their communication development and, if appropriately qualified, their eating, drinking and swallowing skills. You will be working as part of a complex needs team with support and supervision from senior therapists.

The Children’s Therapy Services identify, assess, support and manage the health needs of children and young people aged 0-18 years, working closely with children and their families in health settings and family homes; and with education colleagues in early years and school settings.

You will work across South Gloucestershire and Bristol supporting pre-school children with complex needs and their families in the community. Knowledge of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is important. Dysphagia competencies would be ideal but are not essential to apply. You will see children for uni-professional appointments and as part of our multi-disciplinary child centred assessments.

This role is offered as a fixed-term contract for 12 months to provide maternity cover.

Main duties of the job

• Dependent on experience, a specialist / highly specialist clinical practitioner, carrying your own (highly) specialist caseload.
• If employed at Band 7 being a source of expertise, providing support, supervision, teaching, advice and consultation across BNSSG. You will offer highly specialist clinical expertise within complex needs (and dysphagia) and carry your own (highly) specialist caseload.
• If employed at Band 7 you will triage new referrals to the team alongside other band 7 practitioners, according to agreed referral criteria.
• If employed at Band 7 you will be responsible for line managing junior colleagues
• This is a fixed term post for maternity leave cover.

Working for our organisation

Ever dreamt about a career that sparks excitement and fosters your professional growth? Picture yourself waking up eager to make a real difference in our community, surrounded by teams who value your unique ideas. It's time to turn your dream into reality!

We are Sirona care & health – England’s largest provider of Adult’s and Children’s Community Services and we’d love for you to join us in Bristol, North Somerset or South Gloucestershire.

Agenda for Change Salary, full NHS benefits, 27+ days’ annual leave, and participation in the NHS Pension Scheme – just a glimpse of the benefits we offer.

Whether you're starting your journey in healthcare, looking for a fresh challenge within the NHS, or contemplating a career change, don't be daunted by the prospect of something different – we create development opportunities for all our colleagues and apprentices.
Interested? View our benefits leaflet which you can find as an attachment on this vacancy.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

See attached Job Description and Person Specification for full list of requirements before applying to this position.

Person specification

Experience & Skills

• Experience of working with children with complex needs
• Experience working with dysphagia
• Previous experience in clinical specialist role
• Experience of line management
• Experience working with under 1s with dysphagia

Qualifications

• Degree level qualification recognised by Professional Governing Body (Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists/Chartered Society of Physiotherapists/ Royal College of Occupational Therapists)
• HCPC Registration
• Evidence of Master Level post qualification accredited training and participation in ongoing regular CPD in area of clinical specialism (e.g. Bobath training, Post-grad accredited Dysphagia training)

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.