Job summary
The Team Leader will provide operational and clinical leadership for the Children's Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) and Neurodevelopmental Pathway team. This role ensures high-quality, safe, and effective services for children and young people with speech, language, communication needs (SLCN) and neurodevelopmental conditions, in line with national guidance, Trust priorities, and integrated care system objectives.
Main duties of the job
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- Lead and motivate a multidisciplinary team of SLTs and Neurodevelopment staff and support staff, fostering a culture of excellence, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
- Manage day-to-day operations including caseload allocation, rota planning, and resource deployment.
- Provide line management, supervision, and appraisal for team members, ensuring compliance with mandatory training and professional standards.
- Support staff wellbeing and professional development through coaching, mentoring, and peer supervision.
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- Ensure adherence to clinical guidelines, safeguarding standards, and Trust policies.
- Oversee audit, service evaluation, and quality improvement projects within the SLT and neurodevelopmental pathways.
- Champion evidence-based practice and contribute to local and system-wide initiatives to improve outcomes for children with complex needs.
- Collaborate with Service Manager and ICS partners to implement service specifications and pathway improvements (e.g., Lancashire SLCN Improvement Group actions).
- Drive innovation in care delivery, including digital solutions and integrated models across health, education, and social care.
- Monitor activity, capacity, and demand using job planning tools and SPA allocations for CPD, supervision, and governance tasks.
- Ensure timely triage, referral management, and discharge processes to maintain safe waiting times.
Contribute to workforce planning and recruitment strategies for specialist roles.
About us
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is ideally situated just a forty five minute drive from Manchester. The Trust provides services to the 440,000 residents of Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre and North Lancashire, as well as specialist tertiary care for Cardiac and Haematology patients.
As one of the United Kingdom's largest coastal resort, Blackpool has plenty to offer its residents - it's not just a good place to work; it's a great place to live. In addition to its bustling centre and historic seafront, the town is world famous for its many attractions, including the famous Blackpool Tower. Blackpool also offers a number of scenic cycling routes round our local parks and across the surrounding countryside, as well as boasting panoramic views of the coast on its picturesque Promenade. Further afield, Blackpool also benefits from less than three-hour connections via rail to Edinburgh in the north and London in the south.
Job description
Job responsibilities
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership and Operational Management
Responsible for the day to day management of the Speech and Language Therapy and Neurodevelopment Pathway Team, ensuring systems are in place to provide strong and effective clinical and managerial leadership, advice, support and supervision.
- Respond to day to day issues within the services to ensure these are resolved as swiftly as possible to ensure safe/continued delivery of service to Children, Young People and their Families.
- Ensure the provision of evidence based clinical advice is implemented and monitored within the service.
- Manage in conjunction with the Service Manager, performance issues relating to the teams.
- Develop and maintain effective mechanisms for seeking staff contributions to relevant strategies, service delivery, national and local guidance.
- Promote the development of current and future clinical leaders by facilitating and encouraging staff within the teams to develop professionally.
- To develop effective links with Managers/Leads within other Trusts sharing good practice to ensure continue to provide an efficient and effective service to Children, Young People and their Families.
- Work with the Service Manager to ensure the Speech and Language and Neurodevelopment services make effective use of resources ensuring value for money.
Ensure all services are delivered in line with Service Level Agreements (SLAs) or specifications.
- Ensure facilities and resources meet the needs of the service, advising the Service Manager/ Clinical Directorate Manager of deficiencies.
- Lead and support staff in implementing change to ensure service delivery meets the needs of service users, commissioners of services, staff, Provider managers and partner agencies.
- Ensure all operational services are delivered in a manner which supports equality and diversity.
- Promote the SEND statutory duties and responsibilities within the teams.
Service Planning and Development
- Working in collaboration with the Service Manager and other partner agencies develop services to meet the needs of the local population, local and national targets.
- Working in collaboration with the Service Manager and Clinical Directorate Manager contribute to proposals/business plans which develop service improvements which reflect changing local and national priorities.
- Implement and support staff in the utilisation of tools and techniques which improve service delivery.
- Develop networks and partnerships across primary care teams and partner agencies, establishing forums for discussion, setting agendas and mechanisms for communications.
- Communicate resource implications of practice developments to Service Manager.
- Actively promote and raise the profile of the service and promote opportunities for joint working and integrated service provision.
- Work with the Service Manager to implement the latest National publications and NICE guidance.
- Work closely with independent contractors and their employees, charitable trusts and the voluntary sector to influence the development and improvement in services for Children, Young People and their families.
Service Quality and Clinical Governance
- Ensure a high standard of clinical care is provided to clients implementing evidence based care, tools and techniques.
- Work with staff to ensure that service users are able to communicate and provide feedback on quality, effectiveness and appropriateness of services, reporting on issues raised to the Service Manager/ Clinical Directorate Manager.
- In collaboration with the Service manager plan and implement the annual audit calendar to include client satisfaction, record and clinical audits.
- Work with the Service Manager to ensure outcomes from audits are used to improve service delivery.
- Ensure all staff work to organisational Policies and Procedures.
- Ensure all staff work to current Safeguarding Children Procedures.
- Support the Service Manager in achieving directorate objectives relative to the school based vaccination programme.
- Ensure the service meets Clinical Governance Standards, identifying the need for developing, implementing and monitoring standards and protocols.
- Ensure that all staff within the service are aware of and compliant with all health and safety requirements and responsibilities.
- Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of and support staff in implementing Gillick competent practices.
- Work with the Service Manager to investigate and resolve service complaints in accordance with the complaints procedure.
- Support the Service Manager in the investigation of serious untoward incidents, liaising with client, relatives and staff as necessary.
- Undertake appraisals for the team, identify and working with staff to resolve capability issues.
- Develop Personal Development Plans with the staff which support individual, team, service and Directorate objectives.
- Support staff to undertake Personal Development Review and Planning with the skill mix teams.
- Responsible for reviewing untoward incident reports ensuring timely and appropriate action is taken. Investigate high risk untoward incident reports through root cause analysis.
- Write report and action plan. Monitor and ensure all actions are completed in a timely manner
Job description
Job responsibilities
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership and Operational Management
Responsible for the day to day management of the Speech and Language Therapy and Neurodevelopment Pathway Team, ensuring systems are in place to provide strong and effective clinical and managerial leadership, advice, support and supervision.
- Respond to day to day issues within the services to ensure these are resolved as swiftly as possible to ensure safe/continued delivery of service to Children, Young People and their Families.
- Ensure the provision of evidence based clinical advice is implemented and monitored within the service.
- Manage in conjunction with the Service Manager, performance issues relating to the teams.
- Develop and maintain effective mechanisms for seeking staff contributions to relevant strategies, service delivery, national and local guidance.
- Promote the development of current and future clinical leaders by facilitating and encouraging staff within the teams to develop professionally.
- To develop effective links with Managers/Leads within other Trusts sharing good practice to ensure continue to provide an efficient and effective service to Children, Young People and their Families.
- Work with the Service Manager to ensure the Speech and Language and Neurodevelopment services make effective use of resources ensuring value for money.
Ensure all services are delivered in line with Service Level Agreements (SLAs) or specifications.
- Ensure facilities and resources meet the needs of the service, advising the Service Manager/ Clinical Directorate Manager of deficiencies.
- Lead and support staff in implementing change to ensure service delivery meets the needs of service users, commissioners of services, staff, Provider managers and partner agencies.
- Ensure all operational services are delivered in a manner which supports equality and diversity.
- Promote the SEND statutory duties and responsibilities within the teams.
Service Planning and Development
- Working in collaboration with the Service Manager and other partner agencies develop services to meet the needs of the local population, local and national targets.
- Working in collaboration with the Service Manager and Clinical Directorate Manager contribute to proposals/business plans which develop service improvements which reflect changing local and national priorities.
- Implement and support staff in the utilisation of tools and techniques which improve service delivery.
- Develop networks and partnerships across primary care teams and partner agencies, establishing forums for discussion, setting agendas and mechanisms for communications.
- Communicate resource implications of practice developments to Service Manager.
- Actively promote and raise the profile of the service and promote opportunities for joint working and integrated service provision.
- Work with the Service Manager to implement the latest National publications and NICE guidance.
- Work closely with independent contractors and their employees, charitable trusts and the voluntary sector to influence the development and improvement in services for Children, Young People and their families.
Service Quality and Clinical Governance
- Ensure a high standard of clinical care is provided to clients implementing evidence based care, tools and techniques.
- Work with staff to ensure that service users are able to communicate and provide feedback on quality, effectiveness and appropriateness of services, reporting on issues raised to the Service Manager/ Clinical Directorate Manager.
- In collaboration with the Service manager plan and implement the annual audit calendar to include client satisfaction, record and clinical audits.
- Work with the Service Manager to ensure outcomes from audits are used to improve service delivery.
- Ensure all staff work to organisational Policies and Procedures.
- Ensure all staff work to current Safeguarding Children Procedures.
- Support the Service Manager in achieving directorate objectives relative to the school based vaccination programme.
- Ensure the service meets Clinical Governance Standards, identifying the need for developing, implementing and monitoring standards and protocols.
- Ensure that all staff within the service are aware of and compliant with all health and safety requirements and responsibilities.
- Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of and support staff in implementing Gillick competent practices.
- Work with the Service Manager to investigate and resolve service complaints in accordance with the complaints procedure.
- Support the Service Manager in the investigation of serious untoward incidents, liaising with client, relatives and staff as necessary.
- Undertake appraisals for the team, identify and working with staff to resolve capability issues.
- Develop Personal Development Plans with the staff which support individual, team, service and Directorate objectives.
- Support staff to undertake Personal Development Review and Planning with the skill mix teams.
- Responsible for reviewing untoward incident reports ensuring timely and appropriate action is taken. Investigate high risk untoward incident reports through root cause analysis.
- Write report and action plan. Monitor and ensure all actions are completed in a timely manner
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- 1st level Registered Nurse, Midwife or Registered Allied Health Professional Degree Level Qualification
- Degree Level Qualification
Desirable
- Leadership qualification
- Degree Level Qualification
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
- Minimum of 5 years experience at Band 6 or above
- Evidence of leading change in practice
- Evidence of implementing change
- Evidence of multi-agency working.
- Strong Understanding of neurodevelopmental pathways and SEND Frameworks
- Experience of working with Children.
- Experience of working across professional Boundaries.
Desirable
- Experience of effective team leadership
- Knowledge of Data Reporting and Report Writing
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills
- Commitment to safeguarding, equality, and NHS values.
- Resilient and Adaptable, Able to manage competing priorities and remain calm under pressure in a dynamic healthcare environment.
- Innovative and Solution-Focused: Seeks creative approaches to service challenges and embraces change for improvement.
- Professional Integrity: Upholds confidentiality, ethical standards, and acts as a role model for Trust values.
- Organised and Detail-Oriented: Maintains accurate records, ensures compliance, and delivers high-quality outcomes within deadlines.
Skills & Ability
Essential
- IT literate and able to use all Microsoft applications.
- Organisational skills.
- Ability to work flexibly.
- Appraisal And Supervision Skills
- Knowledge of safeguarding issues.
- Experience of managing staffs HR issues.
- Experience of developing staff to fulfil their potential
- Understanding local and National policy.
- Ability to travel across sites, access to car and full UK driving licence.
- Working with EMIS and ability to use Microsoft office, word, excel and PowerPoint as minimum.
Desirable
- Ability to Manage Budgets
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- 1st level Registered Nurse, Midwife or Registered Allied Health Professional Degree Level Qualification
- Degree Level Qualification
Desirable
- Leadership qualification
- Degree Level Qualification
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
- Minimum of 5 years experience at Band 6 or above
- Evidence of leading change in practice
- Evidence of implementing change
- Evidence of multi-agency working.
- Strong Understanding of neurodevelopmental pathways and SEND Frameworks
- Experience of working with Children.
- Experience of working across professional Boundaries.
Desirable
- Experience of effective team leadership
- Knowledge of Data Reporting and Report Writing
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills
- Commitment to safeguarding, equality, and NHS values.
- Resilient and Adaptable, Able to manage competing priorities and remain calm under pressure in a dynamic healthcare environment.
- Innovative and Solution-Focused: Seeks creative approaches to service challenges and embraces change for improvement.
- Professional Integrity: Upholds confidentiality, ethical standards, and acts as a role model for Trust values.
- Organised and Detail-Oriented: Maintains accurate records, ensures compliance, and delivers high-quality outcomes within deadlines.
Skills & Ability
Essential
- IT literate and able to use all Microsoft applications.
- Organisational skills.
- Ability to work flexibly.
- Appraisal And Supervision Skills
- Knowledge of safeguarding issues.
- Experience of managing staffs HR issues.
- Experience of developing staff to fulfil their potential
- Understanding local and National policy.
- Ability to travel across sites, access to car and full UK driving licence.
- Working with EMIS and ability to use Microsoft office, word, excel and PowerPoint as minimum.
Desirable
- Ability to Manage Budgets
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).
