Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced, innovative and passionateSpeech and Language Therapist to lead a school based communication and dysphagia service for Children and Young People with a range of severe learning difficulties including profound and multiple learning difficulties within a school in Hammersmith and Fulham.
The post holder will work in partnership with the school staff and the multi-disciplinary team to deliver a high quality service to Children and Young People and their families. As well as being experienced in delivering a range of communication interventions (including AAC), the post holder should have knowledge and skills in paediatric dysphagia equivalent to level C or above of the RCSLT dysphagia competencies
Main duties of the job
- Providing highly specialist assessment, diagnosis and intervention to children and young people with complex needs, dysphagia (eating, drinking and swallowing disorders) and/or speech language and communication needs as relevant to the role.
- Understanding and meeting professional and legal SEND responsibilities outlined in the Children and Families Act 2014 including contributing to statutory assessments of special educational needs and delivery of Speech and Language Therapy provision as specified in children's Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
- Having accountability for own professional actions and recognising own professional boundaries, seeking advice from senior colleagues as appropriate
- Providing highly specialist clinical supervision, line management and peer review to other speech and language therapists and students and support in the training and development of junior dysphagia therapists in the team.
- Contributing to developments within the Dysphagia and Education teams and to the broader service including in the development of policies and procedures relating to clinical care, evidence-based practice, care pathways and outcome development. You will contribute to Trust, service and professional wide initiatives.
- Delivering training/courses to staff as relevant to the post e.g. specific in-service training across settings to a variety of audiences
- Liaising with other colleagues across a range of statutory and non-statutory agencies.
About us
We are proud to be one of the largest community healthcare providers in the country, with more than 4,500 colleagues caring for over four million people across London and Hertfordshire. Every day, our teams bring their skill, compassion, and determination to the people who depend on us.
What inspires us is at the heart of who we are: when we work together, we can help people move forward in ways that truly matter. Our teams support children as they take their first steps in life, and they stand beside adults as they rebuild strength, confidence, and independence. From newborn health visiting to community nursing, stroke rehabilitation, and palliative care, we are there for people through some of life's most important moments.
Joining Central London Community Healthcare means becoming part of a community that lifts each other up. It means working in an organisation that values compassion, welcomes new ideas, and believes in the potential of every colleague. Your development matters here. Your wellbeing matters. Your voice helps shape the future of the care we provide.
We offer a competitive employment package because the work you do matters. At Central London Community Healthcare, you will join an inclusive organisation that invests in its people, supports development, and helps you thrive while delivering high-quality care.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Successful applicants will be required to demonstrate alignment with the Trusts values & the behaviours aligned to those values - Accountability, Inclusion, Compassion, and Empowerment, alongside fulfilling the duties detailed in the attached Job Description and Person Specification.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Successful applicants will be required to demonstrate alignment with the Trusts values & the behaviours aligned to those values - Accountability, Inclusion, Compassion, and Empowerment, alongside fulfilling the duties detailed in the attached Job Description and Person Specification.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or equivalent and Licence to Practice - Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
- Current registered membership of HCPC and RCSLT
- Further study in clinical field, including completion of short courses and additional study
- Evidence of competency level C or above of the RCSLT Dysphagia Competency Framework
Desirable
- Advanced dysphagia qualification /post graduate paediatric dysphagia training e.g. Manchester Post Basic Dysphagia Course
- Evidence of completion of highly specialist short courses in dysphagia management
- Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses up to Masters degree or equivalent
- Membership of relevant Clinical Excellence Networks (CENs)
Experience
Essential
- Work with children with a wide range of speech, language and communication difficulties including those associated with complex needs
- Post graduate paediatric dysphagia experience (4 years) including non-oral feeding
- Collaborative work with parents and other professionals, across settings
- Experience of multi-disciplinary and inter agency working
- Experience of training others
- Training/experience of supporting others including more junior therapists
- Experience of supporting children, families and schools in line with the Children and Families Act 2014 including contribution to statutory assessments (Education Health and Care Plan Needs Assessments), contribution to the annual review process and delivery of SLT provision as specified in Education health and Care Plans (EHCPs)
Skills
Essential
- Knowledge of development of eating, drinking and swallowing skills, potential risks associated with eating, drinking and swallowing skills and related management strategies
- Knowledge of typical child development of Speech & Language and general developmental milestones
- Advanced knowledge of appropriate range of assessments and interventions for education and an ability to compare and contrast relative benefits to individual children
- Knowledge of Education Practice and Policy
- Principles and models of Adult-Child Interaction
- In-depth knowledge of national policies and procedures relevant to education including the Children and Families Act 2014 and education practice and policy
- Excellent presentation skills, both written and verbal
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or equivalent and Licence to Practice - Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
- Current registered membership of HCPC and RCSLT
- Further study in clinical field, including completion of short courses and additional study
- Evidence of competency level C or above of the RCSLT Dysphagia Competency Framework
Desirable
- Advanced dysphagia qualification /post graduate paediatric dysphagia training e.g. Manchester Post Basic Dysphagia Course
- Evidence of completion of highly specialist short courses in dysphagia management
- Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses up to Masters degree or equivalent
- Membership of relevant Clinical Excellence Networks (CENs)
Experience
Essential
- Work with children with a wide range of speech, language and communication difficulties including those associated with complex needs
- Post graduate paediatric dysphagia experience (4 years) including non-oral feeding
- Collaborative work with parents and other professionals, across settings
- Experience of multi-disciplinary and inter agency working
- Experience of training others
- Training/experience of supporting others including more junior therapists
- Experience of supporting children, families and schools in line with the Children and Families Act 2014 including contribution to statutory assessments (Education Health and Care Plan Needs Assessments), contribution to the annual review process and delivery of SLT provision as specified in Education health and Care Plans (EHCPs)
Skills
Essential
- Knowledge of development of eating, drinking and swallowing skills, potential risks associated with eating, drinking and swallowing skills and related management strategies
- Knowledge of typical child development of Speech & Language and general developmental milestones
- Advanced knowledge of appropriate range of assessments and interventions for education and an ability to compare and contrast relative benefits to individual children
- Knowledge of Education Practice and Policy
- Principles and models of Adult-Child Interaction
- In-depth knowledge of national policies and procedures relevant to education including the Children and Families Act 2014 and education practice and policy
- Excellent presentation skills, both written and verbal
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
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).
