Speech & Language Therapist Lead Band 7

Integrated Care System; Leatherhead; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialist health service provider in Leatherhead is seeking a motivated Speech and Language Therapist Lead to manage a dedicated team and provide specialized services. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Speech and Language Therapy, experience in neurological impairments, and a commitment to high-quality care. Competitive salary ranging from £46,148 to £52,809 plus excellent benefits is offered.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Pension and Life Assurance

Health cash back scheme & shopping discounts

Free on-site parking

Training opportunities

Qualifications

• Degree in Speech & Language Therapy.
• Additional training in Dysphagia.
• Ongoing CPD record relevant to TBI.

Responsibilities

• Hold accountability for SLT provision in the rehabilitation centre.
• Leading and managing a specialist SLT team.
• Provide specialist dysphagia assessment and intervention.

Job description

Go back Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People

Speech & Language Therapist Lead Band 7

The closing date is 17 August 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 language, speech, swallowing, and cognitive communication disorders.
• Offering training and guidance to colleagues, families, and carers for holistic client care.
• Collaborating with CRC's specialist multi-disciplinary team to deliver effective speech and language therapy services.

We are able to offer a tier 2 visa sponsorship (for applicants that are 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 post-graduate 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 post-graduate 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 multi-disciplinary 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 on 01372 841 144.

Job responsibilities

• Reporting to the Head of Clinical Services, you will hold accountability and responsibility for the SLT provision to all clients within our rehabilitation centre.
• Leading and managing a specialist SLT team in a brand new state-of-the-art rehabilitation centre. The team comprises Band 6 and Band 5 SLTs, an SLT assistant, and we are proactive about having students.
• To contribute to the continued development of a high-quality SLT therapeutic service.
• To provide specialist dysphagia assessment and intervention to clients who require it, utilizing competencies and experience at a senior practitioner level.
• To provide highly skilled communication assessment and intervention to all our clients with acquired brain injury, such as stroke, ABI, and other neurological conditions, utilizing competencies and experience at a senior practitioner level.
• Delivering 1:1 and group SLT sessions to a range of clients and creating accessible communication and swallowing guidance for the wider MDT.
• Conducting skilled mental capacity assessments independently or jointly with other professionals, as appropriate.
• Having a key-worker role managing and overseeing a specific client's whole journey at QEF, liaising with families, being a single point of contact for all queries, and coordinating care and discharge packages.
• Advocating on clients' behalf in various situations, such as when writing reports, CHC forms, and participating in complex DST meetings where highly skilled reporting and questioning are necessary.
• Working closely with the wider multidisciplinary team including PTs, OTs, Psychology team, dietitian, nursing, carers, kitchen staff, activity coordinators, and outside agencies such as social workers, safeguarding, expert witnesses, lawyers, neuro-navigators, DST assessors.
• Collaborating with the Head of Clinical Services and senior management on service development, quality improvement projects, and clinical audit.
• Providing clinical supervision and expert advice to SLT staff and SLT students on placement.
• Responsible for recruitment within the SLT department, with opportunities to support the recruitment process of the wider CRC staffing remit.
• Managing the Speech and Language Therapy team, including sickness absence, performance, appraisals, and probationary periods in line with QEF policy.
• Supporting and leading on learning and reflective practice within the SLT and wider team, providing and participating in training and learning.
• Working jointly with our catering company, manager, and dietitian to provide high standards of catering in line with the IDDSI framework.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Degree in Speech & Language Therapy.
• Additional training in Dysphagia.
• Ongoing CPD record relevant to TBI.
• Ongoing membership with the RCSLT.
• Registration with HCPC

Experience

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

Knowledge and skills

• A good standard of literacy and numeracy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Competent in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Good decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent clinical skills.
• Ability to manage a small team of Speech and Language Therapists.
• Excellent knowledge of neuro speech and language therapy.
• Knowledge of augmentative and alternative communication.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, and as such, a submission for Disclosure must be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People

£46,148 to £52,809 a year plus excellent benefits