Job summary
We have an opportunity for an experienced therapist to join
our Children's Speech and Language Therapy team in County Durham. The service comprises qualified therapists
and assistant practitioners, as well as full administrative support. The role
of locality specialist will provide the opportunity for a clinician to retain
their broad based skills working within a community setting, working within a
dynamic, supportive and friendly team. Clinical specialisms covered within the
team include, Developmental language and communication needs, eating, drinking
& swallowing, speech sound disorders, stammering. You will have a varied
caseload and we will provide you with excellent support &supervision from
clinical/locality leads and specialists.
In April 2025, Children's Speech and Language Therapy,
Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy came together to create a wider
children's therapies team within CDDFT. This is an exciting time to join our
team as we move towards an integrated therapies service for children in County
Durham.
Main duties of the job
Partnership working with both professionals and families.
The opportunity to work with children with a range of
different speech, language and communication needs.
Work within a designated locality, being part of a close
knit team.
The opportunity to be involved in developing the children's
workforce with support from our clinical leads in workforce development.
Work within a range of community settings including clinics,
homes and education settings.
Provide supervision and support to assistant
practitioners, generalist therapists and students
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.
Over reliance on
AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of
success.
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have a minimum of two years
of experience working within the NHS as a HCA for the Trust to consider
sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and
have a current visa expiring within 3 months).
Job description
Job responsibilities
Independently
manage and negotiate the management of complex cases with others e.g. onward
referral to highly specialist clinicians or other specialist support agencies
e.g. consultants, Educational Psychologists.
Continually
evaluate the effectiveness of care protocols and packages of care, audit and
implement changes as appropriate in conjunction with lead clinician/line
manager
Evaluate
the effects of the communication difficulty on the psychological health of the
client.
Contribute
to the planning, implementation and evaluation of teaching and training in the
specialist area to parents, carers, volunteers and professionals involved in
the care of the client group with support from the lead clinician.
Undertaking
all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner.
Liaising
with parents/carers, multi-disciplinary/multi-agency teams, in the assessment,
reporting and treatment programming, ensuring a holistic approach.
Contributing
to and actively participating in, In-Service training, supervision, C.P.D. and
appraisal.
Maintaining
clinical and statistical records, including high quality written reports for a
variety of required purposes.
Work with
the locality lead to develop and coordinate service provision and policy
development for children with speech, language and communication difficulties
Provide
supervision to assistant Speech and Language Therapy staff, generalist
therapists and students
Job description
Job responsibilities
Independently
manage and negotiate the management of complex cases with others e.g. onward
referral to highly specialist clinicians or other specialist support agencies
e.g. consultants, Educational Psychologists.
Continually
evaluate the effectiveness of care protocols and packages of care, audit and
implement changes as appropriate in conjunction with lead clinician/line
manager
Evaluate
the effects of the communication difficulty on the psychological health of the
client.
Contribute
to the planning, implementation and evaluation of teaching and training in the
specialist area to parents, carers, volunteers and professionals involved in
the care of the client group with support from the lead clinician.
Undertaking
all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner.
Liaising
with parents/carers, multi-disciplinary/multi-agency teams, in the assessment,
reporting and treatment programming, ensuring a holistic approach.
Contributing
to and actively participating in, In-Service training, supervision, C.P.D. and
appraisal.
Maintaining
clinical and statistical records, including high quality written reports for a
variety of required purposes.
Work with
the locality lead to develop and coordinate service provision and policy
development for children with speech, language and communication difficulties
Provide
supervision to assistant Speech and Language Therapy staff, generalist
therapists and students
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working as a SLT, which must include working with clients with a wide range of speech, language and communication difficulties
- Working in partnership with children and parents
- Supporting less experienced staff
Desirable
- Experience of working in a range of environments, including mainstream schools
- Experience of planning and delivering teaching and training
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or equivalent qualification in Speech and Language Therapy
- Certificate to practise as a
- Speech and Language Therapist
Desirable
- Evidence of post graduate study relevant to the post
- Evidence of leadership training
- Training in clinical supervision
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- High-level problem-solving skills Planning, organisation and evaluation skills Flexibility in approach Ability to work under pressure
- Knowledge of NHS, National and Education policies
- Able to motivate others
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills Computer literate High level written communication skills
Desirable
- Skills in making formal presentations
- Leadership skills
Special Requirements
Essential
- Ability to travel between trust sites and community settings to meet the requirements of this post
Statutory Registration
Essential
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working as a SLT, which must include working with clients with a wide range of speech, language and communication difficulties
- Working in partnership with children and parents
- Supporting less experienced staff
Desirable
- Experience of working in a range of environments, including mainstream schools
- Experience of planning and delivering teaching and training
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or equivalent qualification in Speech and Language Therapy
- Certificate to practise as a
- Speech and Language Therapist
Desirable
- Evidence of post graduate study relevant to the post
- Evidence of leadership training
- Training in clinical supervision
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- High-level problem-solving skills Planning, organisation and evaluation skills Flexibility in approach Ability to work under pressure
- Knowledge of NHS, National and Education policies
- Able to motivate others
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills Computer literate High level written communication skills
Desirable
- Skills in making formal presentations
- Leadership skills
Special Requirements
Essential
- Ability to travel between trust sites and community settings to meet the requirements of this post
Statutory Registration
Essential
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).
Employer details
Employer name
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Willington Childrens Centre
Chapel Street
Willington
Crook
County Durham
DL15 0EQ
Employer's website
https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
