Speech & Language Therapist Lead Band 7

NHS; Leatherhead; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading rehabilitation service is seeking a Speech and Language Therapy Lead to manage specialized services for clients with complex disabilities. In this senior role, you will lead a team, provide evidence-based interventions, and contribute to the development of high-quality therapeutic services, ensuring patient-centered care in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Pension and Life Assurance

Westfield Healthcare Cash back scheme

Free on-site parking

Blue Light Card

Training opportunities for career development

Qualifications

• Qualified Speech & Language Therapist with up-to-date HCPC registration.
• Postgraduate experience in therapeutic interventions for neuro-rehabilitation.
• Membership in RCSLT and commitment to continuous professional development.

Responsibilities

• Lead a specialist SLT team within a rehabilitation center.
• Conduct specialized assessments and interventions for clients with neurological conditions.
• Oversee the quality of SLT services and provide supervision to staff.

Skills

Good literacy and numeracy skills

Excellent communication skills

Decision-making and problem-solving skills

Excellent clinical skills

Ability to manage a small team of SLTs

Knowledge of neuro speech and language therapy

Knowledge of augmentative and alternative communication

Education

Degree in Speech & Language Therapy

Additional Dysphagia training

Ongoing CPD relevant to TBI

Membership with RCSLT

HCPC registration

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Go back Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People

Speech & Language Therapist Lead Band 7

The closing date is 13 July 2025

Join Our Team as a Speech and Language Therapy Lead

At QEF, we provide specialized speech and language services for clients with complex disabilities under the care of CRC. You will be responsible for:

• Assessing and treating speech, language, swallowing, and cognitive communication disorders.
• Offering training and guidance to colleagues, families, and carers for holistic client care.
• Collaborating with CRC's multidisciplinary team to deliver effective speech and language therapy services.

We are able to offer tier 2 visa sponsorship (for applicants already in the UK)

Main duties of the job

ABOUT YOU

• You are passionate about speech and language therapy.
• Our Values and Behaviours inspire you.
• You hold a degree or diploma in Speech and Language Therapy with up-to-date HCPC registration.
• You are a member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy, adhering to professional guidelines.
• You have postgraduate experience and knowledge of therapeutic interventions for physical and neuro-rehabilitation, as well as experience in dysphagia, communication, and voice management.
• You maintain an up-to-date professional portfolio with relevant postgraduate courses and CPD.

About us

Step into a leadership role in our state-of-the-art 48-bed rehab unit! We're looking for a dynamic, motivated, and enthusiastic Speech and Language Therapist to lead our team.

We are committed to providing top-tier, evidence-based rehabilitative care. You'll work with a diverse range of clients, many with complex neurological disabilities, as part of a large multidisciplinary team where your role as Speech and Language Therapy Lead is pivotal. Reporting to the Head of Clinical Services, you'll be a key player in our senior leadership team, dedicated to delivering the highest standards of patient-centered care.

BENEFITS

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing with service)
• Pension and Life Assurance (4 times basic salary)
• Westfield Healthcare Cash back scheme & shopping discounts
• Free on-site parking
• Blue Light Card
• Range of training opportunities provided to ensure career development.

BEING PART OF QEF MEANS

• Being an active team player.
• Being an ambassador of QEF's Values and Behaviours:
• Everyone Matters,
• Everyone Works Together,
• Everyone Makes a Difference.

DISABILITY CONFIDENT EMPLOYER

QEF is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We guarantee to interview all applicants who meet the criteria for a vacancy and to consider each applicant on their ability to do the job. Please contact HR if you require any reasonable adjustment(s) for the application process or interview stage at [e-mail] or 01372 841 144.

Job responsibilities

• Reporting to the Head of Clinical Services, you will hold accountability for SLT provision to all clients within our rehabilitation centre.
• Leading and managing a specialist SLT team in a new state-of-the-art rehabilitation centre, comprising band 6 and band 5 SLTs, an SLT assistant, and students.
• Contributing to the development of a high-quality SLT therapeutic service.
• Providing specialist dysphagia assessment and intervention, utilizing competencies and experience at a senior level.
• Delivering communication assessment and intervention for clients with acquired brain injury, stroke, ABI, and other neurological conditions.
• Conducting 1:1 and group SLT sessions, creating accessible communication and swallowing guidance for the wider MDT.
• Performing mental capacity assessments independently or jointly with other professionals.
• Managing a specific client's journey as a key-worker, liaising with families, and coordinating care and discharge plans.
• Advocating for clients in reports, CHC forms, and DST meetings requiring skilled reporting and questioning ability.
• Collaborating with the multidisciplinary team and outside agencies.
• Working on service development, quality improvement, and clinical audits with senior management.
• Providing clinical supervision and advice to SLT staff and students.
• Supporting recruitment within the SLT department and wider staffing remit.
• Managing team performance, sickness, appraisals, and probation in line with QEF policy.
• Promoting learning and reflective practice, and participating in training.
• Working with catering and dietetics staff to ensure high standards of catering aligned with IDDSI framework.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Degree in Speech & Language Therapy.
• Additional Dysphagia training.
• Ongoing CPD relevant to TBI.
• Membership with RCSLT.
• HCPC registration.

Experience

• Experience with adult neurological impairments.
• Experience working with carers.

Knowledge and Skills

• Good literacy and numeracy skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent clinical skills.
• Ability to manage a small team of SLTs.
• Knowledge of neuro speech and language therapy.
• Knowledge of augmentative and alternative communication.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This position is subject to DBS checks under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975. Applicants will need to undergo a DBS check for any criminal convictions.

Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People

£46,148 to £52,809 annually plus excellent benefits