NELFT North East London Foundation Trust

Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist

The closing date is 22 September 2025

Job summary

The post holder will provide line management and clinical leadership to the Speech and Language Therapy team within the BHR Neurodevelopmental service as part of the overall clinical leadership structure in the Directorate.

The clinical lead will ensure safe, high-quality evidence-based services are available to children and young people referred onto the neurodevelopmental pathway; developing and delivering a comprehensive specialist service that is child-centred and works in partnership with families and other agencies. The post holder will independently manage a caseload of clients with moderate/complex/profound communication needs. The post holder will provide high quality speech and language therapy supporting the neurodevelopmental pathway in close conjunction with families and other professionals.

The clinical lead will have highly specialist knowledge in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of specific disorders, communication disorders on the neurodevelopmental pathway including autism. This includes developing innovative practice and service redesign to contribute to the development and implementation of the integrated clinical neurodevelopmental pathways.

Main duties of the job

This role provides clinical leadership and operational management to the Speech and Language Therapy team, supporting service delivery across health and education settings. It involves developing and leading innovative, evidence-based therapy services that align with integrated care pathways for children and young people with complex communication needs. Responsibilities include staff supervision, recruitment, professional development, and managing service level agreements with local authorities and schools.

The role works collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to design and deliver coordinated care within neurodevelopmental pathways. It requires strong engagement with families, schools, and wider stakeholders to ensure the service is responsive, inclusive, and outcome-focused. The postholder also supports systems and processes to improve service delivery and manages demand and capacity across the team.

Alongside leadership duties, the postholder maintains a specialist clinical caseload, delivering expert assessment and intervention. They ensure compliance with Trust policies, manage clinical risk, and contribute to training, supervision, and service evaluation. The role supports a high standard of care while promoting ongoing development across the team and wider workforce.

About us

Starting with NELFTNELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers and attend a number of drop in sessions focusing in engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.

Probationary Period

This post will be subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or currently a bank member of staff).High Cost Area Supplement - London

This post attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (minimum payment of £4,714 and a maximum payment of £5,941 per annum pro rata).

Our Values 2025 - 2030

Working with our colleagues, patients and carers we have co-produced three new values that we aim to embed within our culture here at NELFT.

They are:

We are kind.
We are respectful.
We work together with our communities.

These three values help us tostrive to provide the best care by the best people.

Date posted

12 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year plus HCAS per annum pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

10 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

395-BD066-25

Job locations

The Child and Family Centre

79 Axe Street

Barking

IG11 7LZ

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description and person specification for further details on this vacancy.

Use of AI

Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description and person specification for further details on this vacancy.

Use of AI

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Degree or equivalent in Speech and Language Therapy
HCPC registration
Successful completion of leadership courses or evidence of management skills.
Show active interest in CPD - specifically in the areas of complex communication - in line with RCSLT guidelines

Desirable

Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy
MSc in Speech and Language Therapy or a relevant clinical field

Experience

Essential

Ability to organise and chair meetings at a departmental and MDT level
Ability to manage a high number of referrals and an ongoing complex caseload
Understanding of the roles of other professionals and the principles of partnership working with key stakeholders in the service areas
Experience of paediatric therapy and management of communication difficulties
Developing CPD programme for service/team with experience of offering clinical supervision
Working with multi-agency and/or within an MDT
Working with clients who have a range of speech, language, and communication needs

Knowledge

Essential

An in-depth knowledge of theory and practice in child development and its applications to speech and language therapy
Advanced clinical knowledge of the impact of specific developmental disabilities on the development of the child or young person
Knowledge of developmental and acquired communication disorders
In depth knowledge of a range of therapeutic interventions and ability to compare and contrast relative benefits and outcomes
Knowledge of a broad range of assessment tools relevant to the specialist patient group, treatment techniques and therapeutic interventions
Understanding of safeguarding

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Degree or equivalent in Speech and Language Therapy
HCPC registration
Successful completion of leadership courses or evidence of management skills.
Show active interest in CPD - specifically in the areas of complex communication - in line with RCSLT guidelines

Desirable

Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy
MSc in Speech and Language Therapy or a relevant clinical field

Experience

Essential

Ability to organise and chair meetings at a departmental and MDT level
Ability to manage a high number of referrals and an ongoing complex caseload
Understanding of the roles of other professionals and the principles of partnership working with key stakeholders in the service areas
Experience of paediatric therapy and management of communication difficulties
Developing CPD programme for service/team with experience of offering clinical supervision
Working with multi-agency and/or within an MDT
Working with clients who have a range of speech, language, and communication needs

Knowledge

Essential

An in-depth knowledge of theory and practice in child development and its applications to speech and language therapy
Advanced clinical knowledge of the impact of specific developmental disabilities on the development of the child or young person
Knowledge of developmental and acquired communication disorders
In depth knowledge of a range of therapeutic interventions and ability to compare and contrast relative benefits and outcomes
Knowledge of a broad range of assessment tools relevant to the specialist patient group, treatment techniques and therapeutic interventions
Understanding of safeguarding

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.

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

UK Registration

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

Employer details

Employer name

NELFT North East London Foundation Trust

Address

The Child and Family Centre

79 Axe Street

Barking

IG11 7LZ

Employer's website

https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

NELFT North East London Foundation Trust

Address

The Child and Family Centre

79 Axe Street

Barking

IG11 7LZ

Employer's website

https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)