Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

The closing date is 31 August 2025

Job summary

The post holder will provide specialist assessment and intervention to children and young people referred to the service, with areas of clinical specialism in developmental speech disorders and developmental language disorder (DLD).

They will deliver intervention and provision to commissioned EHCP care packages. They will be part of the multidisciplinary team (London Borough of Bexley SEND team) contributing to the co-ordination and delivery of SEND services across Bexley. They will assess the need for, develop and implement evidence-based speech and language therapy interventions to children with a wide range of speech, language and communication difficulties, including their areas of specialisms. They will provide specialist second opinions to other speech and language therapists /external professionals and support in the training and development of colleagues within the team. They will support outreach support to therapists working in other Bexley SLT teams - clinic, mainstream settings to support children achieve the best possible communication and mental health outcomes. They will provide group/ 1:1 supervision to Speech and Language assistants.

Main duties of the job

To provide an assessment, diagnostic and treatment service for children referred to the school aged service within the Borough of Bexley.

They will understand and meet 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). They will contribute to Trust, service and professional wide initiatives.

To demonstrate specialist clinical skills in the assessment and intervention of speech sound disorders, providing second opinions and supervision to other members of the team.

To be responsible for the planning, delivery, and evaluation of evidence-based therapy interventions.

To demonstrate specialist clinical skills in the assessment and intervention of language disorders, providing second opinions and supervision to other members of the team.

To reflect on own clinical practice identifying strengths and needs and providing evidence of sound clinical practice.

About us

Oxleas offers a wide range of NHS healthcare services to people in community and secure environment settings. Our services include community health care such as district nursing and speech and language therapy, care for people with learning disabilities and mental health care such as psychiatry, nursing and therapies. Our multidisciplinary teams look after people of all ages and we work in close partnership with other parts of the NHS, local councils and the voluntary sector and through our new provider collaboratives. Our 4,300 members of staff work in many different settings including hospitals, clinics, prisons, secure hospitals, children's centres, schools and people's homes.We have over 125 sites in a variety of locations in the South of England. In London we operate within the Boroughs of Bexley, Bromley Greenwich and into Kent. We manage hospital sites including Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup and Memorial Hospital, Woolwich, as well as the Bracton Centre, our medium secure unit for people with mental health needs. We are the largest NHS provider of prison health services providing healthcare to prisons within Devon, Dorset, Bristol, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, Kent and South London. We are proud of the care we provide and our people.

Our purpose is to improve lives by providing the best possible care to our patients and their families. This is strengthened by our new values:

  • We're Kind
  • We're Fair
  • We Listen
  • We Care

Details

Date posted

15 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£44,485 to £52,521 a year pro rata pa inc

Contract

Secondment

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

277-7414848-CYP

Job locations

Erith District Hospital

Erith

DA8 3EE


Job description

Job responsibilities

To demonstrate specialist clinical skills in the assessment and intervention of speech sound disorders, providing second opinions and supervision to other members of the team.

To demonstrate specialist clinical skills in the assessment and intervention of language disorder which may include Developmental Language Disorder / Language Disorder associated with a bio-medical condition e.g., Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy.

To contribute to the formulation and review/update of clinical care pathways.

To make a differential diagnosis on the basis of evidence from assessment, seeking advice when appropriate. Written reports / care plans will be completely in a timely manner to service users and appropriate agencies.

To demonstrate high level of clinical effectiveness by use of evidence-based practice and outcome measures. To be a source of expertise and hold knowledge of best evidence-based practice in a specialist clinical area that will be shared with other team members.

To monitor and review the progress of therapy programmes and care plans implemented and facilitate modifications of interventions/targets as appropriate.

To demonstrate skills in dealing with complex issues to generate appropriate strategies for caseload and workload management.

To adapt practice to meet individual clients circumstances, including due regard for cultural and linguistic differences.

To maintain intense concentration in all aspects of patient management for prolonged periods. In particular, to monitor auditory, visual and kinaesthetic aspects of clients communication, adapting and facilitating according to perceived client needs including cultural and linguistic differences.

To ensure maximum involvement of the family / carer, education staff and other professional staff and where appropriate the client in the therapy programme. To provide therapy intervention as part of an integrated team.

To work alongside school aged educators and SLT assistants in delivering jointly planned programmes of intervention for speech, language, communication, and educational achievement.

To maintain and develop effective and innovative partnership arrangements with other agencies to ensure care pathways for clients are integrated.

To maintain a clinical caseload in accordance with priorities of service.

To participate in the co-ordination, development and delivery of training programmes and information packages for colleagues in health, education, voluntary sector organizations and parents / carers.

To respond to the requirements of relevant legislation by providing advice and a detailed report as part of proceedings including such as Education Health Care Plans, Individual Integrated Care Plans, Annual Reviews and transition planning.

To recognise potential breakdown and conflict when it occurs and seeks advice and support to resolve.

To supervise the work of newly qualified therapists, assistants/therapy support staff/administration, clerical staff, learning support assistants and SLT students.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To demonstrate specialist clinical skills in the assessment and intervention of speech sound disorders, providing second opinions and supervision to other members of the team.

To demonstrate specialist clinical skills in the assessment and intervention of language disorder which may include Developmental Language Disorder / Language Disorder associated with a bio-medical condition e.g., Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy.

To contribute to the formulation and review/update of clinical care pathways.

To make a differential diagnosis on the basis of evidence from assessment, seeking advice when appropriate. Written reports / care plans will be completely in a timely manner to service users and appropriate agencies.

To demonstrate high level of clinical effectiveness by use of evidence-based practice and outcome measures. To be a source of expertise and hold knowledge of best evidence-based practice in a specialist clinical area that will be shared with other team members.

To monitor and review the progress of therapy programmes and care plans implemented and facilitate modifications of interventions/targets as appropriate.

To demonstrate skills in dealing with complex issues to generate appropriate strategies for caseload and workload management.

To adapt practice to meet individual clients circumstances, including due regard for cultural and linguistic differences.

To maintain intense concentration in all aspects of patient management for prolonged periods. In particular, to monitor auditory, visual and kinaesthetic aspects of clients communication, adapting and facilitating according to perceived client needs including cultural and linguistic differences.

To ensure maximum involvement of the family / carer, education staff and other professional staff and where appropriate the client in the therapy programme. To provide therapy intervention as part of an integrated team.

To work alongside school aged educators and SLT assistants in delivering jointly planned programmes of intervention for speech, language, communication, and educational achievement.

To maintain and develop effective and innovative partnership arrangements with other agencies to ensure care pathways for clients are integrated.

To maintain a clinical caseload in accordance with priorities of service.

To participate in the co-ordination, development and delivery of training programmes and information packages for colleagues in health, education, voluntary sector organizations and parents / carers.

To respond to the requirements of relevant legislation by providing advice and a detailed report as part of proceedings including such as Education Health Care Plans, Individual Integrated Care Plans, Annual Reviews and transition planning.

To recognise potential breakdown and conflict when it occurs and seeks advice and support to resolve.

To supervise the work of newly qualified therapists, assistants/therapy support staff/administration, clerical staff, learning support assistants and SLT students.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential

  • Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree qualifications or Equivalent
  • Registration with HCPC-Licence to Practice
  • Registered Member of Royal College of Speech & Language Therapist
  • Evidence of successful completion of a range of short courses at post graduate level

Experience

Essential

  • Clinical experience of at least 18 months for a range of paediatric speech and language needs in paediatric/school settings.

Skills

Essential

  • Excellent presentation skills, both verbal and written, of complex information to professionals and carers.
  • Demonstrates excellent analytical and reflection skills at clinical levels.
  • Fluent spoken and written skills in English.
Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential

  • Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree qualifications or Equivalent
  • Registration with HCPC-Licence to Practice
  • Registered Member of Royal College of Speech & Language Therapist
  • Evidence of successful completion of a range of short courses at post graduate level

Experience

Essential

  • Clinical experience of at least 18 months for a range of paediatric speech and language needs in paediatric/school settings.

Skills

Essential

  • Excellent presentation skills, both verbal and written, of complex information to professionals and carers.
  • Demonstrates excellent analytical and reflection skills at clinical levels.
  • Fluent spoken and written skills in English.

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

Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Erith District Hospital

Erith

DA8 3EE


Employer's website

http://oxleas.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Erith District Hospital

Erith

DA8 3EE


Employer's website

http://oxleas.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Coordinator of School aged service& External Cont.

Clare Brightwell

clare.brightwell@nhs.net

02030040092

Details

Date posted

15 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£44,485 to £52,521 a year pro rata pa inc

Contract

Secondment

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

277-7414848-CYP

Job locations

Erith District Hospital

Erith

DA8 3EE


Supporting documents

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