Team Lead- Adult Speech and Language Therapy in Northwood

Fixed term: 9 months (Maternity cover). Full time: 37.5 hours per week. Site: Mount Vernon Hospital Town Northwood. Salary £61,631 - £68,623 per annum (incl. HCAS).

CNWL (Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust) employs almost 8,000 staff providing integrated healthcare to a third of London’s population, Milton Keynes and surrounding areas. We involve service users, carers, the public, staff and partner organisations in how we are run. Our catchment area spans diverse communities with over 100 first languages spoken, ranging from great affluence to high deprivation. We are committed to meeting the needs of the people we serve and encourage local involvement to make a difference. We are proud of our diversity and continue to advance equality for LGBT+, BME and people with disabilities. We are recognised locally, nationally and internationally for providing high‑quality, innovative healthcare.

We aim to employ only the best people and our experts are frequently called upon to contribute to national health strategy and policy. We offer a generous relocation package (subject to eligibility assessment) and flexible working options, including bank assignments for most roles. For more information on benefits, see our Benefits, Reward and Wellbeing page. CNWL NHS Foundation Trust is committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We follow safe recruitment practices to protect children and vulnerable adults.

Exciting clinical leadership role at the forefront of the Hillingdon Adult Speech and Language Therapy service, providing clinical leadership to a team and delivering highly specialised speech and language therapy intervention in domiciliary, outpatient clinics and intermediate care units. The post holder supports the team to advance clinically and delivers evidence‑based interventions through direct care, supervision, training and education for team practitioners. The role is autonomous within professional guidelines and the service’s policies. It utilises research skills for audit to support policy and service development, and undertakes research relevant to the service and the local population.

Main duties of the job:

• Support the service manager in developing and delivering adult community services in Hillingdon.
• Operationally manage staff, caseload, treatment pathway management and monitor performance indicators.
• Ensure clinical supervision for all staff aligns with local and national protocols.
• Lead on service transformation in line with the NHS Long Term Plan, co‑produce and support pathway developments with community services.
• Coordinate quality and clinical governance frameworks, maintaining high standards of care.
• Interpret national and Trust policies, advising leadership on appropriate action.

Working for our organisation:

We are passionate about delivering first‑class patient‑centred, safe and effective care in hospital, community and home settings. Our culture embraces diversity across mental health, community services, addictions, eating disorders, learning disabilities and more. Whatever stage of your career you are at, there is always a place for you at CNWL.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities:

• Provide inspirational clinical leadership to the clinical and non‑clinical workforce.
• Manage individual and contribute to organisational performance.
• Embed Trust values in service delivery.
• Manage the operating budget, remaining within allocated resources, setting budgets and projections.
• Develop and deliver training programmes to multidisciplinary groups, including external stakeholders and GPs.
• Support reflective practice and identify learning needs in speech & language therapy and related AHPs.
• Participate in annual appraisal and maintain a personal development plan.
• Ensure policies, procedures, clinical governance, and lines of accountability are in place and communicated.
• Act in accordance with Trust policies, professional codes, and guidelines.
• Work independently, interpreting policies and advising leadership on appropriate action.

Person specification:

Experience:

• Considerable experience of clinical SLT work.
• Experience as a band 7 SLT.
• Experience supervising junior staff.
• Experience in audit and evaluation of therapy.
• Experience in recruitment.
• Working knowledge of financial spreadsheets and budget reports.
• Experience collaborating with a variety of agencies across organisational boundaries.
• Experience in community health settings.
• Experience leading a designated team of therapists.
• Experience in service evaluation, initiating and implementing change.
• Experience in performance management, leading a service to meet capacity and demand while maintaining high‑quality patient care.
• Experience in writing business cases.

Education and Qualifications:

• HCPC Registered.
• Recognised Speech & Language Therapy degree or equivalent.
• Leadership or management qualification relevant to the post.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Excellent written and spoken communication skills.
• Excellent patient assessment skills, able to formulate and develop high‑quality packages of care.
• Advanced specialist knowledge in clinical expertise area.
• Knowledge of AAC.
• Good IT skills, used EPR systems and other health‑care IT systems such as Health Roster, SBS and Tableau.
• Puts patients at the heart of decision‑making.
• Effective coaching skills.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

AI can be used as a support tool, not a replacement for the applicant’s own work. Applications must remain personal, accurate and reflective of the candidate’s real experience. AI‑generated content must not misrepresent skills, qualifications or experience. Over‑reliance on AI‑generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant’s chances of success. We monitor applications for any behaviour that could create an unfair advantage, and we check all references carefully. You are likely to be tested on your experience at interview, so be honest and ensure all information in your application is correct. Please note that the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is prohibited during the interview process.

The successful applicant may have contact with patients or service users. As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination, as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and patients and service users in our healthcare settings.

Due to high response levels, some vacancies may expire prior to the advertised closing date; apply as soon as possible. Applications from job seekers requiring sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside other applications. Check eligibility under the UKVI points‑based system before submitting. Our Agenda for Change employment contracts include a 13‑week probationary period. If you are offered a job, information will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

You must have appropriate UK professional registration. The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of normal duties and is therefore subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and must submit a Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service.