Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust

Clinical Specialist Speech & Language Therapist

The closing date is 30 November 2025

Job summary

Are you looking for an opportunity to advance your career in children's therapies? We have a 0.6WTE post available basedin Eastbourne on the beautiful East Sussex coast.

You may be passionate about working with children with stammering, selective mutism or developing communication in young people using AAC. You may be eager for opportunities to extend your leadership skills through staff development,work-planning or innovative care. Tell us about where you see your next steps!

Whatever you choose with us, you will become part of a highly successful integrated therapy service. Although based in East Sussex, we are employed by KCHFT which is an outstanding trust. We believe that the best health care is delivered bymulti-disciplinary teams working together and in partnership to provide seamless care.

We have a strong commitment to training and development with robust supervision and shadowing opportunities across the service.

Contact Alex Storie, Operations Manager on 07471 445622 or Alexandra.storie@nhs.net or Kathryn Burbidge, Operations Manager on 07766 294763 or kburbidge@nhs.net for an informal conversation to know more about the roleand what we can offer you.

Main duties of the job

To be responsible for managing a specialist clinical caseload and to act as a specialist resource to the Children'sTherapies team and other professionals and agenciesTo support the work of SEND including completion of education, health and care needs assessments and occasionalinvolvement in SENDIST appeal hearings as an expert witnessTo be responsible for the supervision of identified staff within the team in collaboration with the Head of Service,Operational Manager and Team Co-ordinator.To contribute to the wider work of the team including initial assessment clinics, referral triage and Therapy One Point.To provide leadership to the Team in collaboration with other clinical Lead colleagues.To be responsible for ensuring the team provides a high quality and cost-effective clinical service to CYP and their familiesin collaboration with the Head of Service, Operational Manager and Team Co-ordinator.To be responsible for ensuring that all team members are working to agreed care pathways.To report to and advise the Head of Service and/or Operational Manager of the teams' development within a specialistclinical area to ensure it is in line with the organisation's business objectives.

About us

Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we've got a passion for delivering high standards of patient care and excellent services to improve the health of our communities. To do this we need outstanding people who share our values compassionate Aspirational Responsive Excellent

We know a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion leads to better patient care and a happier workforce. We pride ourselves in being diverse and welcome applications from people with varied backgrounds, perspectives and experiences

We ask for information about your protected characteristics on our application forms. This isn't visible to anyone involved with shortlisting or interviewing you, except when you choose to be considered under the guaranteed interview scheme due to disability. Short listers will see two ticks alongside your application to ensure they apply the principles of the scheme to your submission

The data we collect helps us to ensure we are attracting diversity in our applicants, that all our colleagues have equitable access to career opportunities and supports us on our journey to being a Great Place to Work

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want you to be able to work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you. Talk to us about a flexible working arrangement that won't involve sacrificing time for personal interests or family commitments. We'll support you to work flexibly in a way that will suits us both

See where you can go with KCHFTcareer pathways

Details

Date posted

03 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

846-7586682-UJ

Job locations

Chaucer

Polegate

BN26 6QH


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please note: at this stage, the role is open only to colleagues currently employed within Kent and Medway NHS Trusts and the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB).

As a community Trust many of our roles require individuals to be able to drive to perform their duties. As such you will be asked to confirm you have a full UK driving licence where driving is a requirement of the role to be able to proceed with your application. We are committed to supporting candidates with disabilities into employment, if you are unable to drive due to a disability, please contact the Recruitment Team viakentchft.recruitment@nhs.netquoting the vacancy reference number so we can support you further.

The job description and person specification gives you all the information you need about this role. Please look carefully at the criteria in the person specification and tell us what you have done that shows you meet this in your application. If you need an application form in an alternative format please let our recruitment team know. All information you supply on your application should, to the best of your knowledge, be true and accurate.

Still have questions? The recruiting manager would love to hear from you, their contact details can be found in the job advert.

We can get a lot of applications for some roles so to be in with the best chance of being shortlisted please make sure you apply as soon as possible. A vacancy may close early if there is a lot of interest in the job.

At KCHFT we strongly encourage colleagues in clinical and non-clinical roles who have direct or social contact with patients to be fully vaccinated. In this way we will be doing all we can to ensure your safety and that of your colleagues and the patients we serve.

Find out more about the community differencehere.

Good luck! We cant wait to meet you and welcome you to #teamKCHFT, #cometocommunity.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please note: at this stage, the role is open only to colleagues currently employed within Kent and Medway NHS Trusts and the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB).

As a community Trust many of our roles require individuals to be able to drive to perform their duties. As such you will be asked to confirm you have a full UK driving licence where driving is a requirement of the role to be able to proceed with your application. We are committed to supporting candidates with disabilities into employment, if you are unable to drive due to a disability, please contact the Recruitment Team viakentchft.recruitment@nhs.netquoting the vacancy reference number so we can support you further.

The job description and person specification gives you all the information you need about this role. Please look carefully at the criteria in the person specification and tell us what you have done that shows you meet this in your application. If you need an application form in an alternative format please let our recruitment team know. All information you supply on your application should, to the best of your knowledge, be true and accurate.

Still have questions? The recruiting manager would love to hear from you, their contact details can be found in the job advert.

We can get a lot of applications for some roles so to be in with the best chance of being shortlisted please make sure you apply as soon as possible. A vacancy may close early if there is a lot of interest in the job.

At KCHFT we strongly encourage colleagues in clinical and non-clinical roles who have direct or social contact with patients to be fully vaccinated. In this way we will be doing all we can to ensure your safety and that of your colleagues and the patients we serve.

Find out more about the community differencehere.

Good luck! We cant wait to meet you and welcome you to #teamKCHFT, #cometocommunity.

Person Specification

Behaviours

Essential

  • Demonstrates commitment to quality of care and promotes high standards to consistently improve outcomes for children.
  • Consistently puts children and their families at the heart of clinical decision making.
  • Values diversity and difference, operates with integrity and openness.
  • Actively develops themselves and others by showing a commitment to learning and development.
  • Demonstrates commitment to partnership working with a range of external organisations

Qualifications

Essential

  • Recognised Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent Health and Care Professions Council - Licenced to Practice.

Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge of evidence-based practice and ability to implement in clinical practice. Current knowledge of child/adult safeguarding policies and procedures
  • Knowledge of current local and national policies relevant to health, social care and education
  • Knowledge & understanding of organisational governance issues & policies.
  • Current knowledge of child/adult safeguarding policies and procedures

Skills and Abilities

Essential

  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
  • Ability to motivate and lead staff
  • Ability to develop and maintain inter-agency and inter-disciplinary links
  • Ability to develop and maintain inter-agency and inter-disciplinary links
  • Ability to prioritise and balance workload
  • Ability to negotiate and influence

Personal attribute

Essential

  • Innovative & willingness to meet new challenges and pioneer new ways of working
  • Ability to travel across a variety of sites in East Sussex within a timely manner
Person Specification

Behaviours

Essential

  • Demonstrates commitment to quality of care and promotes high standards to consistently improve outcomes for children.
  • Consistently puts children and their families at the heart of clinical decision making.
  • Values diversity and difference, operates with integrity and openness.
  • Actively develops themselves and others by showing a commitment to learning and development.
  • Demonstrates commitment to partnership working with a range of external organisations

Qualifications

Essential

  • Recognised Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent Health and Care Professions Council - Licenced to Practice.

Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge of evidence-based practice and ability to implement in clinical practice. Current knowledge of child/adult safeguarding policies and procedures
  • Knowledge of current local and national policies relevant to health, social care and education
  • Knowledge & understanding of organisational governance issues & policies.
  • Current knowledge of child/adult safeguarding policies and procedures

Skills and Abilities

Essential

  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
  • Ability to motivate and lead staff
  • Ability to develop and maintain inter-agency and inter-disciplinary links
  • Ability to develop and maintain inter-agency and inter-disciplinary links
  • Ability to prioritise and balance workload
  • Ability to negotiate and influence

Personal attribute

Essential

  • Innovative & willingness to meet new challenges and pioneer new ways of working
  • Ability to travel across a variety of sites in East Sussex within a timely manner

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

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Chaucer

Polegate

BN26 6QH


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Chaucer

Polegate

BN26 6QH


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Operations Manager

Alexandra Storie

alexandra.storie@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

03 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

846-7586682-UJ

Job locations

Chaucer

Polegate

BN26 6QH


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)