NELFT North East London Foundation Trust

Clinical Pathway Lead - Therapies

The closing date is 09 January 2026

Job summary

The Clinical Pathway Lead will provide line management and clinical leadership to the Therapy team - which includes Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy, in Barking & Dagenham, as part of the overall clinical leadership structure for Targeted Children's Services within the borough. The Clinical Pathway Lead will manage the Speech and Language pathway with line management responsibilities for the Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Leads and pathways.

The Clinical Pathway Lead will have highly specialist knowledge in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of specific disorders, communication disorders including autism, and complex learning disabilities. The Clinical Pathway Lead will lead on the speech and language pathways supporting and delivering in mainstream (and secondary) schools, ARP's, Early Years social communications and language, SSD, Stammering, Dysphagia, Deafness, Complex needs and DLD. This includes developing innovative practice and service redesign to contribute to the development and implementation of the clinical care pathways. The post holder will work closely with the Head of Service and give feedback on performance and contractual agreements of the Therapies Service - which includes Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy.

Main duties of the job

Main duties of the job

  • Provide clinical leadership and operational management to the Therapy team in B&D (SLT/OT/PT), supporting service delivery across both health and education settings.
  • To lead and develop innovative Therapy services that support clinical care pathways for children and young people
  • Manage staff supervision, recruitment, and professional development to build a skilled and motivated team.
  • Foster strong partnerships with Local Authorities, schools, and community stakeholders.
  • To develop systems and processes to support the delivery of the service within health and education settings within the borough of Barking & Dagenham

  • Engage actively with families and community networks to ensure services are responsive, inclusive, and outcome-focused.
  • Maintain a specialist clinical caseload, providing expert assessment, diagnosis, and intervention.
  • Promote ongoing service evaluation, quality improvement, and compliance with Trust policies.
  • Drive forward innovation in service delivery, including digital resource development and embedding research within clinical practice.
  • Champion culturally sensitive approaches and contribute to reducing health inequalities within the diverse communities we serve.

About us

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 to strive to provide the best care by the best people. Starting with NELFT NELFT 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 on 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. High Cost Area Supplement - Outer London This post also 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 for part time).Use of AI

Please see attached document regarding acceptable use of AIduring the recruitment process.

Details

Date posted

24 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

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

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

395-BD121-25

Job locations

The Child and Family Centre

79 Axe Street

Barking

IG11 7LZ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Our service is passionate about addressing health inequalities and delivering equitable care across a multicultural community where over 130 languages are spoken. If youre ready to combine clinical excellence, leadership, and innovation in a supportive and dynamic environment, this role is for you.Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role and working at North East London NHS Foundation Trust. We encourage you to refer to this when completing your application.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Our service is passionate about addressing health inequalities and delivering equitable care across a multicultural community where over 130 languages are spoken. If youre ready to combine clinical excellence, leadership, and innovation in a supportive and dynamic environment, this role is for you.Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role and working at North East London NHS Foundation Trust. We encourage you to refer to this when completing your application.

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.

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).

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.

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).

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).

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)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Assistant Director

Jagdish Kaur

jagdish.kaur@nelft.nhs.uk

07764971153

Details

Date posted

24 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

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

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

395-BD121-25

Job locations

The Child and Family Centre

79 Axe Street

Barking

IG11 7LZ


Supporting documents

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