Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to work as a Clinical Lead in Early Years, in Ceredigion.
As part of this role, there are opportunities to work as a Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist within the Early Years and be the Line Manager for the Early Years team in Ceredigion.
The post holder will be responsible for all elements of operational line management of staff members working within their team (including but not limited to day-to-day support and queries, carrying out regular management supervision with staff members, supporting the team and service to develop).
The clinical aspect of the post will involve holding a highly specialist clinical caseload within the early years' service in Ceredigion, which may include supporting children who present with complex needs, as well as managing waiting times and triaging new referrals. The successful applicant will also be responsible for identifying opportunities for service development to meet the population need. This will be in line with national Flying Start guidelines and Talk with Me delivery plan.
The post holder will be a member of the friendly and supportive SLT Service in Hywel Dda University Health Board. A full range of support and training will be available.
Main duties of the job
- Directly line manage staff working for the SLT service, working together with Service Leads and colleagues to support equitable service provision and development.
- Using demonstrable coaching and facilitative skills to enable the team to provide high quality clinical services and to think outside of traditional boundaries of service provision and development.
- Woking with other SLT staff to ensure operational and clinical service development are joined together.
- Responding innovatively to service pressures and prioritising service activities according to local needs.
- Leadership and strategic oversight of service areas to provide equitability and accessibility of support and timely intervention.
- Work with commissioners and partners to provide reports and data as required for Flying Start and Families First workbooks.
- Manage a highly specialist clinical caseload, which may include supporting children who present with complex needs, manage waiting times and triage new referrals.
- To provide supervision, advice and second opinions to more junior colleagues.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.
About us
Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.
We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.
We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.
Our services are provided in:
- Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
- Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
- Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
- 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
- Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Interviews will be held on 25.11.25
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Interviews will be held on 25.11.25
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- Degree in Speech & Language Therapy
- Evidence of successful completion of training/specialist short courses up to Masters Degree or equivalent level, and relevant to area of clinical expertise
- Understanding of implications of bilingualism on language use and development
- Knowledge of a wide range of paediatric or adult specialist assessment tools and procedures to evaluate communication skills, particularly relevant to area of clinical expertise
- Knowledge of key characteristics leading to a specialist differential diagnosis relevant to area of clinical expertise
- Knowledge of selecting, setting and evaluating specialist treatment goals
- Knowledge of a highly specialist range of therapeutic interventions relevant to specialist clinical area, and able to demonstrate the evidence base for these approaches
- Well established knowledge of legal and professional issues of confidentiality
- Knowledge of record keeping standards, data protection / Caldicott guidelines
- Knowledge of health and safety issues
- Knowledge of national policies and procedures relevant to area of clinical expertise
Desirable
- Basic Counselling
- Knowledge of a range of research approaches
- Understanding of principles of change management
- Accredited postbasic dysphagia training
Experience
Essential
- Extensive post registration clinical experience relevant to the post including
- Experience of audit and service evaluation
- Delivering highly specialist training to a range of audiences
- SLT Student placement, inclusive of assessment up to and including final year
- Supporting less experienced staff
- Supervision of associate practitioners/support workers.
- Experience of providing second opinions to SLTs and other professionals
Desirable
- Management of change
- Demonstrable leadership experience
- Delivering therapy through the medium of Welsh
- Supervision/line management SLTs
Language Skills
Desirable
Other
Essential
- HCPC registration
- RCSLT Membership
- Member of Relevant CEN/SIG/PPG
- Able to work in a variety of sites based upon service need
- Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- Degree in Speech & Language Therapy
- Evidence of successful completion of training/specialist short courses up to Masters Degree or equivalent level, and relevant to area of clinical expertise
- Understanding of implications of bilingualism on language use and development
- Knowledge of a wide range of paediatric or adult specialist assessment tools and procedures to evaluate communication skills, particularly relevant to area of clinical expertise
- Knowledge of key characteristics leading to a specialist differential diagnosis relevant to area of clinical expertise
- Knowledge of selecting, setting and evaluating specialist treatment goals
- Knowledge of a highly specialist range of therapeutic interventions relevant to specialist clinical area, and able to demonstrate the evidence base for these approaches
- Well established knowledge of legal and professional issues of confidentiality
- Knowledge of record keeping standards, data protection / Caldicott guidelines
- Knowledge of health and safety issues
- Knowledge of national policies and procedures relevant to area of clinical expertise
Desirable
- Basic Counselling
- Knowledge of a range of research approaches
- Understanding of principles of change management
- Accredited postbasic dysphagia training
Experience
Essential
- Extensive post registration clinical experience relevant to the post including
- Experience of audit and service evaluation
- Delivering highly specialist training to a range of audiences
- SLT Student placement, inclusive of assessment up to and including final year
- Supporting less experienced staff
- Supervision of associate practitioners/support workers.
- Experience of providing second opinions to SLTs and other professionals
Desirable
- Management of change
- Demonstrable leadership experience
- Delivering therapy through the medium of Welsh
- Supervision/line management SLTs
Language Skills
Desirable
Other
Essential
- HCPC registration
- RCSLT Membership
- Member of Relevant CEN/SIG/PPG
- Able to work in a variety of sites based upon service need
- Ability to travel between sites in 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.
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).
Employer details
Employer name
Hywel Dda University Health Board
Address
Ceredigion - base to TBC
Cardigan Integrated Care Centre, Rhodfa'r Felin
Cardigan
SA43 1JX
Employer's website
https://hduhb.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)
