Speech and Language Clinical and Professional Lead – CFHD

Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD); Lead (SD); On-site; USD 76,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

Devon Partnership NHS Trust invites applications for the role of Principal Clinical and Professional Lead for Speech and Language Therapy within Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD). The post follows the promotion of the current post holder and focuses on strategic clinical leadership across CFHD pathways to improve outcomes for children and young people.

The role requires collaboration with health, education and social care, developing innovative services and leading a diverse workforce

Qualifications

• Professional qualification in Speech and Language Therapy with current registration.
• Postgraduate diploma level specialist training or equivalent with master's level experience.
• Evidence of recent, relevant CPD.

Responsibilities

• Lead and shape the future direction of Speech and Language Therapy services across CFHD.
• Provide professional and clinical leadership for SLTs across CFHD pathways.
• Collaborate with health, education, social care and voluntary sector to deliver integrated care.

Education

Professional qualification in Speech and Language Therapy / Occupational Therapy / Physiotherapy & current professional registration

Post Graduate Diploma level specialist training

Evidence of CPD

Job description

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Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Speech and Language Clinical and Professional Lead – CFHD

The closing date is 07 October 2026

Job Summary

Due to the promotion of the current post holder, an opportunity has arisen to join Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD) as our Principal Clinical and Professional Lead for Speech and Language Therapy.

This is an exciting time to join CFHD as we continue to transform how we support children, young people and families across Devon and Torbay. Over the last eighteen months we have worked alongside Better Communication CIC and implemented the Balanced System approach, strengthening our graduated response and improving outcomes for children and young people. We introduced Easy Access Drop-In Clinics for pre-school children and established a Link Therapist model supporting every school across Devon and Torbay. As we continue our programme of service development, we are at the beginning of the recruitment, onboarding and implementation of Experts at Hand.

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant will play a key role in shaping the future direction of Speech and Language Therapy services, working collaboratively with colleagues across health, education, social care and the voluntary sector to deliver integrated care and improve outcomes for children and young people.

The successful candidate will be supported by the Head of Service for Nursing and Therapies as well as the Clinical Director for CFHD, the Associate Clinical Directors for Allied Health Professionals and the Experts at Hand Service Lead. Peer support will be available from the Principal Clinical and Professional Leads for Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy.

Alongside pathway leadership responsibilities, the post holder will provide professional and clinical leadership for Speech and Language Therapists working across other CFHD pathways.

We Are Looking For Someone Who:

• Is a passionate and experienced Speech and Language Therapist with highly developed clinical expertise.
• Has a proven track record of clinical and professional leadership.
• Can inspire, support and develop a diverse workforce.
• Is committed to innovation, quality improvement and evidence-based practice.
• Can build strong partnerships across health, education, social care and the wider system.
• Is passionate about improving outcomes and reducing inequalities for children and young people.
• Values co-production and the voice of children, young people and families in service design and delivery.

About Us

At Children and Family Health Devon, we are dedicated to improving the physical and mental health of children and young people across Devon and Torbay. We aim to create an environment where children and young people can thrive and are committed to reducing health inequalities and providing specialised support, empowering them to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.

Our children and young people say

We would like the people who work for Children and Family Health Devon to be understanding, patient and respectful. They should be trustworthy and make us feel safe and comfortable. It is important that they use their skills and experience to listen carefully in a non-patronising and non-judgemental way. When staff are positive and friendly, they help to create an environment that is informal and without pressure.

Who We Are

We are an alliance of NHS organisations led by Devon Partnership Trust. We are a group of professionals including psychologists, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, physiotherapists, nurses and many other professions.

Join us in beautiful Devon

With access to moors, sea and cities, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy Devon. Whether you enjoy spending time in the cultural hub of Exeter, exploring the Jurassic coastline or discovering the world surfing reserve in North Devon there really is something for everyone.

Details

• Date posted: 18 September 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 8a
• Salary: £57,528 to £64,750 a year pro rata
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
• Reference number: C9369-26-0707
• Children & Family Health Devon
  Unit 1
  Capital Court, Bittern Road, Sowton Industrial Estate
  EXETER
  EX2 7FW
  United Kingdom
• Children & Family Health
  Lescaze Offices, Shinners Bridge
  Dartington
  TOTNES
  Devon
  TQ9 6JD
  United Kingdom
• Children & Family Health Devon
  Springfield Court, Fishleigh Road
  Roundswell Business Park
  BARNSTAPLE
  Devon
  EX31 3UD
  United Kingdom
• South Devon Healthcare
  Torbay Hospital Annexe
  187 Newton Road
  TORQUAY
  TQ2 7BA
  United Kingdom

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Professional qualification in Speech and Language Therapy / Occupational Therapy / Physiotherapy & current professional registration
• Post Graduate Diploma level specialist training, management qualification or equivalent and experience to master's level
• Evidence of recent, relevant CPD

Experience

• Extensive knowledge of the provision of healthcare for children, young people and families within the NHS
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, NHS policy and other national policy relating to children and young people and its implications for area of specialty
• High level knowledge of health presentations in children and young people and the practice of clinical interventions within area of specialty
• Knowledge of evidence-based practice including NICE guidelines and routine outcome monitoring relating to the designated pathway
• Knowledge of risk management and ability to monitor and assess risk and act accordingly to ensure safety within area of specialty
• Knowledge of supervision, management and leadership practice
• Understanding of the quality, governance and regulatory framework within the NHS
• Understanding of the complex multi-agency systems providing health, education and social care for children and young people
• Knowledge of service and quality improvement methodologies
• Working knowledge of legislation, regulation, policy, guidance and practice relating to safeguarding children
• Knowledge of research methodology outcome research methodology and ability to critically interpret research findings and data
• Knowledge of Information Governance standards
• Experience of working collaboratively with service users and their families/carers, clinicians, managers and leaders
• Experience of Inter‑agency working with a successful track record of influencing, and maintaining good working relationships
• Experience of delivering a clinical practice within the area of specialty
• Experience of clinical leadership
• Experience of supervising others, leading teams and developing positive supervisory relationships
• Experience of integrating principles of human rights diversity and inclusion in clinical and leadership practice
• Experience of managing recruitment processes including staff appraisals, performance and sickness management, investigations, recruitment processes
• Experience in providing effective supervision, teaching, training to professionals within own and partner agencies
• Experience of safeguarding children and ensuring the safety of young people in partnership with other agencies as appropriate
• Experience of using data to improve services
• Experience of initiating, organising and chairing inter‑agency meetings including those related to complex clinical matters
• Experience of managing complaints, incidents, risks
• Experience of operational and / or clinical management of clinical teams in health or social care
• Experience of budgetary responsibility and effective financial management
• Experience in leadership in planning and implementing service improvement / development and change within a clinical setting
• Management of service user participation and involvement in services and implementation of service change as a result of feedback
• Experience of developing and implementing policies and strategies
• Experience of collaborative leadership and staff engagement
• Working effectively within the local and national political environment

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.

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 (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Supporting documents

• Mindful Employer
• Careers Hub
• NHS Employment Checks
• A guide to DBS Checks
• Children and Family Health Devon is the place to be