Job summary
Are you passionate about working with children with complex needs? We are looking for an experienced, ideally dysphagia qualified, Speech and Language Therapist to manage a caseload of 0-5 year olds with complex needs. You will be supporting these children with their communication development and, if appropriately qualified, their eating, drinking and swallowing skills. You will be working as part of a complex needs team with support and supervision from senior therapists.
The Children's Therapy Services identify, assess, support and manage the health needs of children and young people aged 0-18 years, working closely with children and their families in health settings and family homes; and with education colleagues in early years and school settings.
You will work across South Gloucestershire and Bristol supporting pre-school children with complex needs and their families in the community. Knowledge of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is important. Dysphagia competencies would be ideal but are not essential to apply. You will see children for uni-professional appointments and as part of our multi-disciplinary child centred assessments.
This role is offered as a fixed-term contract for 12 months to provide maternity cover.
Main duties of the job
- Dependent on experience, a specialist / highly specialist clinical practitioner, carrying your own (highly) specialist caseload.
- If employed at Band 7 being a source of expertise, providing support, supervision, teaching, advice and consultation across BNSSG. You will offer highly specialist clinical expertise within complex needs (and dysphagia) and carry your own (highly) specialist caseload.
- If employed at Band 7 you will triage new referrals to the team alongside other band 7 practitioners, according to agreed referral criteria.
- If employed at Band 7 you will be responsible for line managing junior colleagues
- This is a fixed term post for maternity leave cover.
About us
Ever dreamt about a career that sparks excitement and fosters your professional growth? Picture yourself waking up eager to make a real difference in our community, surrounded by teams who value your unique ideas. It's time to turn your dream into reality!
We are Sirona care & health - England's largest provider of Adult's and Children's Community Services and we'd love for you to join us in Bristol, North Somerset or South Gloucestershire.
Agenda for Change Salary, full NHS benefits, 27+ days' annual leave, and participation in the NHS Pension Scheme - just a glimpse of the benefits we offer.
Whether you're starting your journey in healthcare, looking for a fresh challenge within the NHS, or contemplating a career change, don't be daunted by the prospect of something different - we create development opportunities for all our colleagues and apprentices.Interested? View our benefits leaflet which you can find as an attachment on this vacancy.
Details
Date posted: 11 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £56,515 a year
per annum, pro rata
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Part-time, Job share, Flexible working
Reference number: 083-8288019-WW
Job locations: Patchway Hub, 125 Rodway Road, Patchway, Bristol, BS34 5PE, United Kingdom
Job responsibilities
See attached Job Description and Person Specification for full list of requirements before applying to this position.
Person Specification
Experience & Skills
Essential
- Experience of working with children with complex needs
Desirable
- Experience working with dysphagia
- Previous experience in clinical specialist role
- Experience of line management
- Experience working with under 1s with dysphagia
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree level qualification recognised by Professional Governing Body (Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists/Chartered Society of Physiotherapists/ Royal College of Occupational Therapists)
- HCPC Registration
Desirable
- Paediatric dysphagia competencies / qualification
- Evidence of Master Level post qualification accredited training and participation in ongoing regular CPD in area of clinical specialism (e.g. Bobath training, Post-grad accredited Dysphagia training)
- Under 1s dysphagia competencies
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
Sirona care & health CIC
Patchway Hub, 125 Rodway Road, Patchway, Bristol, BS34 5PE, United Kingdom
https://www.sirona-cic.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer contact details
Clinical Lead for Dysphagia, Fran Jones, frances.jones15@nhs.net
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.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.
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Speech & Language Therapist Early Years Complex Needs (& Dysphagia) Bristol employer: Meeveem Limited
Meeveem Limited is an excellent employer for general practitioners, offering a supportive and flexible work environment that prioritises professional growth and work-life balance. With full indemnity cover, NHS Pension, and generous leave, our team members enjoy a culture of collaboration and continuous development across our two sites, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
