Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist Neurodisability Dysphagia

Due to retirement, we are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Speech and Language Therapist to join our friendly and supportive Children's Speech and Language Therapy Team as Clinical Lead for Children's Neurodisability (Dysphagia). This is an exciting opportunity to combine specialist clinical practice with leadership, supporting children and young people (0-18 years) with eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties and/or complex communication needs. Based within our County Durham team, the role also offers opportunities to provide support to the Neonatal Ward, also to undertake and interpret Videofluoroscopy assessments.

As Clinical Lead, you will provide leadership for the dysphagia pathway, supporting colleagues, driving service development and helping to ensure high-quality, evidence-based care for children, young people and their families. We are proud to be part of a supportive Integrated Children's Therapy Service. We are committed to helping our staff thrive and offer excellent opportunities for continuing professional development, clinical supervision and leadership support.

Main duties of the job:

• Holds a highly specialist clinical caseload of children and young people with complex communication and/or dysphagia needs.
• Provides clinical leadership across Children's Speech and Language Therapy services.
• Delivers specialist advice, consultation and second opinions to speech and language therapists and other professionals.
• Supervises speech and language therapists, assistant practitioners, students and support staff as delegated.
• Leads service development, audit, quality improvement and pathway development initiatives.
• Works across health, education and partner agencies to ensure integrated care delivery.
• Contributes to workforce planning, service evaluation and performance monitoring.

Job responsibilities:

• Undertake highly specialist assessment, diagnosis and management of children and young people (0-18 years) presenting with complex speech, language, communication and/or eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties.
• Provides specialist assessment and management of paediatric dysphagia, including participation in Videofluoroscopy Swallow Studies (VFSS).
• Develop, implement and review evidence-based care plans in partnership with children, families, carers, schools and multidisciplinary colleagues.
• Manage a specialist caseload independently, prioritising clinical need and service demands.
• Provide specialist advice, consultation and second opinions regarding complex clinical cases.
• Maintain accurate, timely and legally compliant clinical records and reports.
• Lead and contribute to development of clinical pathways and service models within Children's Speech and Language Therapy.
• Identify opportunities to improve quality, access, effectiveness and patient experience.
• Support implementation of national guidance, professional standards and local policies.
• Advise service leads regarding service pressures, workforce requirements and emerging clinical priorities.
• Contribute to operational and strategic planning within Children's Therapies.
• Provide specialized training for colleagues, families, education staff and partner agencies.
• Deliver clinical supervision, support and mentorship to speech and language therapists, assistant practitioners and students.
• Promote a culture of reflective practice, lifelong learning and continuous professional development.
• Support competency development within specialist clinical pathways.
• Participate in and lead audit, service evaluation and quality improvement activity.
• Contribute to research and innovation projects relevant to Children's Speech and Language Therapy.
• Monitor clinical outcomes and use data to support service improvement.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of current evidence, legislation and professional guidance.
• Work collaboratively with professionals across health, education, social care and voluntary sector organisations.
• Develop effective working relationships that support integrated care and improve outcomes for children and families.
• Represent Children's Speech and Language Therapy within multidisciplinary and multiagency forums.

Person Specification:

Qualifications:

• Degree or equivalent qualification in SLT
• Masters degree or equivalent postgraduate knowledge
• Certificate to practise as a Speech and Language Therapist
• Post graduate qualification in dysphagia/equivalent level of experience
• Counselling qualification

Experience:

• Significant experience working as a specialist children's SLT to include working with children and young people with complex learning difficulties/dysphagia
• Experience of working with infants, children and young people who have swallowing difficulties 0-18 years.
• Specialist skills in interpreting Videofluoroscopy assessments of children
• Working as part of a MDT
• Working in partnership with clients/carers and professionals
• Experience of working in education settings and taking an active role in SEND procedures
• Experience in supporting members of a team and providing clinical supervision
• Experience of planning and coordinating across a clinical or non-clinical area of service
• Experience of planning and delivering teaching and training

Special Requirements:

• Car driver and access to car for work purposes. Ability to travel across the patch for hospital, clinic, school and home visits.
• Driving posts must have valid Full UK driving licence

Statutory Registration:

• Registered member of the Health Professions Council
• Member of the RCSLT

Special Skills & Knowledge:

• Broad knowledge of NHS and Education policies
• Highly developed knowledge and skills of current best practice relating to assessment and intervention relevant to children and young people with complex learning difficulties/Dysphagia
• High level problem solving skills.
• High level planning, organisation and evaluation skills
• Well motivated
• Flexibility in approach
• Ability to work under pressure

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.