Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity to join our Complex Needs team. As a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist you will make a leading contribution to the development and delivery of the service for Autistic children and those with complex needs (including dysphagia & AAC) within a specialist educational setting. You will closely with other Band 7 therapists leading in these areas and be supported by clinical lead SALTs.
You will lead a small team of SALTs providing highly specialist support and advice in a highly respected special school in Hackney (Ickburgh school) that benefits from MDT input.
You will have opportunities to take part in training the wider children's workforce (health and education professionals) in a range of topics to increase awareness and skill development in the area of complex needs, autism and dysphagia to improve outcomes for these children/young people.
Main duties of the job
The service for Autism, Complex Needs and Dysphagia is overseen by Clinical Lead Specialists.
You will have a thorough knowledge of Autism, Learning Disabilities, Complex Needs and Dysphagia as well as working in education settings. Excellent interaction and problem-solving skills are required.
You will be well supported via robust clinical supervision and have access to excellent CPD opportunities. You will also be responsible for supervising band 5 and 6 therapists across the service.
- Work in partnership with children and young people, engaging them in their intervention and ensuring they are involved at each step and are well informed.
- To work as in integral member of multi-agency, multi-disciplinary teams around the child that include parents and may also include Paediatricians, Dietitians, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Psychologists, Early Years workers, Teachers and others.
- To manage a community caseload independently.
- To advise the wider SaLT and related teams on all aspects of communication pertaining to Autistic and Complex Needs children/young people.
- To provide advice to non-specialists and other specialists/ professionals within the clinical field.
About us
Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a high performing and flourishing organisation serving the population of Hackney, East London, The City and beyond.
We are extremely proud of the fact that Homerton Hospital has recently attained the highest possible rating of "Outstanding" from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Our integrated Trust provides comprehensive hospital and community health services for its local population and a range of specialist services for a wider group of patients. In addition, the Trust manages services out of St Leonard's Hospital and the Mary Seacole Nursing Home.
Homerton aims to ensure equality and value diversity, and we are committed to inclusion for all of our staff. This is reflected in our policies, procedures and People Plan. All of our staff are expected to embody our Trust values at all times.
We are also committed, through our Fair Recruitment Standards, to ensuring all applicants are treated fairly.
Homerton has a proud tradition of supporting and developing its staff, including its well regarded and valued nursing community, and all staff are able to take advantage of a great range of benefits.
Homerton is proud to have been included on the HSJ & Nursing Times Best Places to Work list.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both documents please view the attachment/s on this page
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both documents please view the attachment/s on this page
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- Successful completion of specialist courses relevant to the specialism e.g. Autism, AAC
- Evidence of successful completion of intermediate post graduate dysphagia course(s)
- HCPC qualification
- Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent (Post-Graduate Diploma or MSc in Speech and Language therapy)
Desirable
- Relevant Master's degree
- First line management course
- Clinical supervisors course for staff and students
- RCSLT registration
- Advanced dysphagia course or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- In-depth experience in relevant specialist area (Autism, dysphagia, AAC, learning disabilities) including active networking with other specialists regionally and nationally
- Experience of providing clinical supervision to SLT students
- Experience of instigating and managing change
- Evidence of having provided mentoring support in the relevant specialist area
Desirable
- Experience of managing a team within a defined service area
- Experience of providing clinical supervision to SLTs
- Experience of working in schools and collaborating with school staff
Knowledge
Essential
- In depth knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions (relevant to the client group) and an ability to compare and contrast relative benefits
- Understanding of the principles of clinical governance /audit
- In depth knowledge of national policies and procedures (relevant to the specialist client group)
- In depth knowledge of assessment tools relevant to the client group
- Knowledge of standards of record keeping
Desirable
- Knowledge and experience of the SCERTS framework
Other Requirements
Essential
- Ability to initiate as well as respond well to change
- Passion for the clinical area and for the educational context
- Demonstrating an understanding of Trust Values
- Demonstrates ability to be a good team member
Skills / abilities
Essential
- Established skills with managing complex dysphagia independently; Specialist (RCSLT 2014) or Enhanced (RCSLT 2025) Dysphagia Practitioner competency level
- Ability to work collaboratively with children, parents and colleagues
- Established skills in assessing and providing intervention for children/young people requiring low/high tech AAC
- Demonstrates good analytical and reflection skills
- Ability to use and interpret assessment tool of choice for particular client/s
- Ability to lead a small team
- Excellent interpersonal skills - including observation, listening tact, persuasion and empathy skills
- Established skills in assessing and providing intervention for children/young people requiring AAC
- Ability to work within an MDT
- Ability to manage complaints
- Able to recognise and seek advice appropriately.
Desirable
- Speaker of other relevant community language
- Consultant (RCSLT 2014) or Advanced/Expert (RCSLT 2025) Dysphagia Practitioner competence
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- Successful completion of specialist courses relevant to the specialism e.g. Autism, AAC
- Evidence of successful completion of intermediate post graduate dysphagia course(s)
- HCPC qualification
- Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent (Post-Graduate Diploma or MSc in Speech and Language therapy)
Desirable
- Relevant Master's degree
- First line management course
- Clinical supervisors course for staff and students
- RCSLT registration
- Advanced dysphagia course or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- In-depth experience in relevant specialist area (Autism, dysphagia, AAC, learning disabilities) including active networking with other specialists regionally and nationally
- Experience of providing clinical supervision to SLT students
- Experience of instigating and managing change
- Evidence of having provided mentoring support in the relevant specialist area
Desirable
- Experience of managing a team within a defined service area
- Experience of providing clinical supervision to SLTs
- Experience of working in schools and collaborating with school staff
Knowledge
Essential
- In depth knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions (relevant to the client group) and an ability to compare and contrast relative benefits
- Understanding of the principles of clinical governance /audit
- In depth knowledge of national policies and procedures (relevant to the specialist client group)
- In depth knowledge of assessment tools relevant to the client group
- Knowledge of standards of record keeping
Desirable
- Knowledge and experience of the SCERTS framework
Other Requirements
Essential
- Ability to initiate as well as respond well to change
- Passion for the clinical area and for the educational context
- Demonstrating an understanding of Trust Values
- Demonstrates ability to be a good team member
Skills / abilities
Essential
- Established skills with managing complex dysphagia independently; Specialist (RCSLT 2014) or Enhanced (RCSLT 2025) Dysphagia Practitioner competency level
- Ability to work collaboratively with children, parents and colleagues
- Established skills in assessing and providing intervention for children/young people requiring low/high tech AAC
- Demonstrates good analytical and reflection skills
- Ability to use and interpret assessment tool of choice for particular client/s
- Ability to lead a small team
- Excellent interpersonal skills - including observation, listening tact, persuasion and empathy skills
- Established skills in assessing and providing intervention for children/young people requiring AAC
- Ability to work within an MDT
- Ability to manage complaints
- Able to recognise and seek advice appropriately.
Desirable
- Speaker of other relevant community language
- Consultant (RCSLT 2014) or Advanced/Expert (RCSLT 2025) Dysphagia Practitioner competence
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.
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).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (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).
Additional information
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.
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).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (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).
