Job summary
We have an opportunity for an enthusiastic, motivated and
well organised 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. You will work within a designated locality team and
carry a varied caseload receiving support from clinical leads and specialists
as appropriate. This post is suitable for a newly qualified practitioners and
will provide a solid foundation for your career working with children and young
people.
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
To provide speech and languaguage therapy services to
children and young people with a range of different speech, language and
communication needs.
To be an active member of the local multi-disciplinary team
and work closely with the Childrens Therapy team to ensure continued
development of the service.
The post holder will need to be proactive, flexible and
responsive to the changing needs and demands of the organisation and will
support the smooth running of the Community Services.
Work within a dsignated locality team
As a key member of the team you will be passionate about
improving health outcomes for children and young people, and will work closely
with health colleagues, partner agencies, parents and carers. You will be an
excellent communicator and enjoy working both independently and as part of a
team in different settings.
Work within a range of community venues
including homes, clinics and education settings
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
Generate appropriate strategies to manage an individual
caseload including the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and discharge of a
diverse range of clients with a broad range of communication, eating and
drinking difficulties with supervision, support and guidance from senior
clinicians.
Design and select appropriate means of assessment, analyse
assessment data, make appropriate clinical decisions and define a differential
diagnosis regarding level of client functioning, with guidance from clinical
supervisors as required.
Structure and implement evidence-based, individually
tailored intervention programmes for children/young people, families and other
professionals based on current understanding of best practice guidelines with
support and guidance from senior clinicians.
Identify the need for second opinions in discussion with
senior clinicians.
Ensure clients are involved in the planning and
prioritisation of their care plans wherever possible.
To adapt practice to meet individual patient circumstances
including regard for cultural and linguistic differences.
Maintain contemporaneous clinical records, gather data,
provide reports, share information and give advice and recommendations to the
child/young person, carers and other involved professionals about the
child/young persons abilities and needs in line with professional standards,
local Trust policies and data protection guidelines
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.
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.
Independently supervise the work of speech and language
therapy assistants with a range of clients across acute and community settings,
including providing advice and guidance on carrying out therapy strategies,
with guidance from senior clinicians
Job description
Job responsibilities
Generate appropriate strategies to manage an individual
caseload including the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and discharge of a
diverse range of clients with a broad range of communication, eating and
drinking difficulties with supervision, support and guidance from senior
clinicians.
Design and select appropriate means of assessment, analyse
assessment data, make appropriate clinical decisions and define a differential
diagnosis regarding level of client functioning, with guidance from clinical
supervisors as required.
Structure and implement evidence-based, individually
tailored intervention programmes for children/young people, families and other
professionals based on current understanding of best practice guidelines with
support and guidance from senior clinicians.
Identify the need for second opinions in discussion with
senior clinicians.
Ensure clients are involved in the planning and
prioritisation of their care plans wherever possible.
To adapt practice to meet individual patient circumstances
including regard for cultural and linguistic differences.
Maintain contemporaneous clinical records, gather data,
provide reports, share information and give advice and recommendations to the
child/young person, carers and other involved professionals about the
child/young persons abilities and needs in line with professional standards,
local Trust policies and data protection guidelines
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.
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.
Independently supervise the work of speech and language
therapy assistants with a range of clients across acute and community settings,
including providing advice and guidance on carrying out therapy strategies,
with guidance from senior clinicians
Person Specification
Statutory Registration
Essential
Special Requirements
Essential
- Ability to travel between trust sites and community settings to meet the requirements of this post
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or equivalent qualification in Speech and Language Therapy
- Certificate to practice as a Speech and Language Therapist
Desirable
- Evidence of post graduate study relevant to the post
- Evidence of achieving clinical autonomy
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working as a Speech and Language Therapist
- Experience of working as a member of a team
- Ability to manage own time, prioritise tasks and to work independently
Desirable
- Experience of working in a range of environments, including mainstream schools
- Experience of working as a member of a multi-disciplinary team
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to analyse and make informed judgements required for the assessment of clients and selection of appropriate management strategies.
- Able to demonstrate high-level problem-solving skills.
- Flexibility able to cope with different work environments.
- Positive attitude to new challenges.
- Knowledge of current national drivers and clinical guidelines, relating to children with speech, language and communication difficulties.
- Ability to demonstrate high level written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to be assertive in relationships with other professionals, clients and carers
Desirable
- Skills in making formal presentations
Person Specification
Statutory Registration
Essential
Special Requirements
Essential
- Ability to travel between trust sites and community settings to meet the requirements of this post
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or equivalent qualification in Speech and Language Therapy
- Certificate to practice as a Speech and Language Therapist
Desirable
- Evidence of post graduate study relevant to the post
- Evidence of achieving clinical autonomy
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working as a Speech and Language Therapist
- Experience of working as a member of a team
- Ability to manage own time, prioritise tasks and to work independently
Desirable
- Experience of working in a range of environments, including mainstream schools
- Experience of working as a member of a multi-disciplinary team
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to analyse and make informed judgements required for the assessment of clients and selection of appropriate management strategies.
- Able to demonstrate high-level problem-solving skills.
- Flexibility able to cope with different work environments.
- Positive attitude to new challenges.
- Knowledge of current national drivers and clinical guidelines, relating to children with speech, language and communication difficulties.
- Ability to demonstrate high level written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to be assertive in relationships with other professionals, clients and carers
Desirable
- Skills in making formal presentations
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)
