Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist in Chelmsford

Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist – Neurodevelopmental Service

This role supports the Speech and Language Therapy team within the Barking & Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge (BHR) Neurodevelopmental Service, located in one of London’s most culturally rich and diverse areas.

You will play a pivotal part in delivering evidence‑based care for children and young people with complex communication needs, including autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions.

Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of evidence‑based therapy services that align with integrated care pathways for children and young people with complex communication needs.
• Deliver high‑quality neurodevelopmental assessments in line with NICE guidelines and DSM‑V/ICD‑11 diagnostic criteria.
• Foster strong partnerships with local authorities, schools and community stakeholders.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team—including paediatricians, psychologists, assistant psychologists and child and adolescent psychiatrists—to design and deliver coordinated neurodevelopmental care.
• Engage actively with families and community networks to ensure services are responsive, inclusive and outcome‑focused.
• Maintain a specialist clinical caseload, providing expert assessment, diagnosis and intervention.
• Promote ongoing service evaluation, quality improvement, and compliance with Trust policies.
• Drive forward innovation in service delivery, including digital resource development and embedding research within clinical practice.
• Champion culturally sensitive approaches and contribute to reducing health inequalities within the diverse communities served.

Essential Criteria

• Degree or equivalent in Speech and Language Therapy and HCPC registration.
• Ability to manage a high number of referrals and an ongoing complex caseload.
• Understanding of the roles of other professionals and principles of partnership working with key stakeholders.
• Experience of paediatric therapy and management of communication difficulties.
• Experience developing a CPD programme for the service/team and offering clinical supervision.
• Experience working with multi‑agency and/or within an MDT.
• Experience working with clients who have a range of speech, language and communication needs.
• In‑depth knowledge of theory and practice in child development and its application to speech and language therapy.
• Advanced clinical knowledge of the impact of specific developmental disabilities on the development of the child or young person.
• Knowledge of developmental and acquired communication disorders.
• In‑depth knowledge of a range of therapeutic interventions and ability to compare and contrast relative benefits and outcomes.
• Knowledge of a broad range of assessment tools relevant to the specialist patient group, treatment techniques and therapeutic interventions.
• Understanding of safeguarding.
• Active interest in CPD, specifically in complex communication, in line with RCSLT guidelines.

Desirable Criteria

• Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy.
• MSc in Speech and Language Therapy or a relevant clinical field.
• Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) training certification.

Benefits

• Probationary period applies (internal applicants exempt unless currently within a probationary period).
• High Cost Area Supplement: 15% of the basic salary (minimum £4,714 to maximum £5,941 per annum pro rata for part‑time).
• #J-18808-Ljbffr