Specialist speech and language therapist-Pre-school language in Walsall

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Specialist speech and language therapist-Pre-school language

NHS AfC: Band 6

Main area Speech and Language Therapy Grade NHS AfC: Band 6 Contract Permanent Hours Part time - 0.8 session per week (8.30am -4.30pm) Job ref 407-COMMUNITY-8325589

Site Blakenall Village Centre Town Walsall Salary £39,959 - £48,117 Per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 10/11/2026 23:59

Walsall Manor Hospital is a busy district general hospital offering compete range of acute services. The Trust primarily serves the immediate population of Walsall with some patients requiring more specialised treatment at other, neighbouring Trusts. The Trust continues to invest in its facilities and services, supporting high-quality care for the communities it serves.

This role offers the opportunity to work within our integrated care model, contributing to high-quality services that help people remain independent in their own homes and communities.

We are committed to investing in our workforce and creating an environment where colleagues can learn, contribute and develop. Our new Urgent Emergency Care Centre, opened in March 2023, demonstrates our ongoing investment in facilities and services.

As an employee, you’ll benefit from an attractive salary and comprehensive benefits package (detailed in Employer Description above), plus access to NHS pension arrangements and staff accommodation where available.

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is proud to be part of the Armed Forces Covenant, currently holding the Bronze Award, underlining our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces Community.

RESPECT – COMPASSION – TEAMWORK – PROFESSIONALISM

Job overview

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust has an exciting opportunity for a part-time Band 6 Specialist Speech and Language Therapist within the Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Service.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated therapist with specialist knowledge of preschool speech, language and communication development. The successful candidate will work with preschool children and their families, delivering assessment, intervention, advice and training to improve communication outcomes and school readiness.

This role supports the development of the Best Start in Life Strategy and Family Hub programme, offering the opportunity to contribute to early intervention and prevention initiatives across Walsall. You will work across a range of community settings, including Family Hubs, nurseries and clinics, as part of a supportive multidisciplinary team.

The role involves travel across the Walsall borough, with travel expenses subsidised. Regular clinical supervision and professional development opportunities will be provided.

Walsall Speech and Language Therapy Service is a district-wide integrated service within a progressive Allied Health Professionals Care Group, committed to innovation, workforce development and high-quality care for children and families.

PLEASE NOTE, WE MAY CLOSE THIS VACANCY EARLY IF WE RECEIVE A HIGH NUMBERS OF APPLICATIONS.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will provide specialist Speech and Language Therapy assessment, diagnosis and intervention for pre-school children with speech, language and communication needs. They will deliver evidence-based, child-centred interventions that support communication development, school readiness, participation and improved outcomes for children and families.

Working as a specialist practitioner in preschool language development, the post holder will collaborate with families, Family Hubs, early years settings and multidisciplinary teams to identify needs early and provide timely support. They will offer advice, training and consultation to parents, carers and professionals, contributing to the service strategy, reducing inequalities and promoting positive developmental outcomes through early intervention and prevention.

The post holder will also contribute to service development, quality improvement, and the implementation of local and national priorities for early years and SEND services, ensuring high-quality, evidence-based care is delivered.

Working for our organisation

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is an integrated Trust and the only provider of NHS acute care in Walsall, serving a population of 284,300. It provides inpatient and outpatient services at the Manor Hospital as well as a wide range of services in the community. Walsall Manor houses the full range of district general hospital services under one roof. The £170 million development was completed in 2010, and ongoing upgrades ensure the Trust now has state-of-the-art facilities, including a Critical Care Unit, Neonatal Unit, Obstetric Theatre, and Integrated Assessment Unit. A new Urgent and Emergency Care Centre, opened in March 2023, has significantly improved emergency care facilities and capacity, providing almost 5,000 square metres of additional clinical space.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS

Communicates complex condition specific information to clients, carers and multi-disciplinary team members.

Contributes to clinical teams – both multi-disciplinary and uni-disciplinary working across organisations – through the development of appropriate care plans.

Provides specialist advice to clients, carers and multi-disciplinary team members.

Promotes the role and understanding of the profession within the local community.

Provides clear and concise written reports in line with departmental standards reflecting specialist knowledge.

Provides advice training and support to others regarding the appropriate management and care of clients.

May respond initially to complaints reporting to Head of Service on all occasions.

CLINICAL LEADERSHIP

Leads a specialist area and/or designated project

Facilitates the development of others’ problem solving/negotiation skills within peer review/support context and through supervision.

Leads the development of local clinical guidelines informed by evidence for clinical specialism

Provides mentoring and support to more junior speech and language therapists and Assistant Speech and Language Therapists

Contributes to speech and language therapy student placements.

Provides specialist training and presentation in area of clinical expertise.

Initiates and undertakes research/audit particularly in area of clinical expertise and/or designated project.

Participates and develops innovations in areas of risk management, quality standards setting and clinical effectiveness.

Represents team with multi-disciplinary systems of clinical governance within an organisation, in close liaison with line manager.

Contributes to the identification of training needs within the department with specific responsibility for designated specialist clinical area.

Directs and participates in local and national research initiatives within the specialist area.

MANAGERIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Manages caseload within departmental standards/integrated team standards.

Manages own time and prioritises workload within the specialist service

Reports to line manager on issues of concern, project progress.

Contributes to training and teaching programmes.

Contributes to the planning and delivery of specialist services working with Head of Service to co-ordinate appropriate service delivery.

Identify areas for own personal/professional development including specific objectives relating to the clinical specialism and project area

RESPONSIBILITY FOR CLIENT CARE

Uses specialist knowledge to inform clinical judgements/decision making for the management of complex cases.

Defines a differential diagnosis based on assessment findings using specialist clinical skills.

Refers client on to other services as appropriate.

Adapts management plans according to individual circumstances.

Understands and adheres to National and Local clinical guidelines.

Understands legislation as it relates to the highly specialist clinical area

Understands and adheres to Trust policies relevant to the service area.

Assesses, develops and implements specialist SLT programmes.

Negotiates with carers/clients around individual case management, recognising breakdown/conflict when this occurs and generate potential solutions.

Maintains timely and accurate client records in line with the Trust and Departmental records management policy.

Demonstrates clinical effectiveness by the use of evidence-based practice and outcome measures in relation to the specialist area.

DEPARTMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Contributes to the development of the Annual Service Development Plan regarding relevant clinical specialisms and/or designated project.

Understands and adheres to policies and professional standards.

Contributes to inter-agency team building and policy development within the integrated team.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent
• Health Professions Council – Licence to Practice
• Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapist
• Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses

Knowledge and experience

• Relevant experience as part of undergraduate/postgraduate training.
• Demonstrates advanced knowledge of assessment tools relevant to the specialist client group
• Demonstrates advanced knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions (relevant to the client group)
• Understands the principles of clinical governance /audit and how this relates to the specialist service area.
• Has an awareness of the roles of other professionals (relevant to the client group)
• Assessment of communication disorders
• Management of communication disorders
• Ability to prioritise/triage caseload

Skills and aptitudes

• Demonstrates effective negotiation and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrates good presentation skills, both written and verbal

Flexibility

• Ability to travel

Please note your application will be transferred from the NHS Jobs system to the internal Walsall Healthcare Trac System. All correspondence will be sent via Trac.

Sponsorship and Visas

We welcome applications from all candidates with the right to work in the UK, including those on Health and Care Visas, Graduate Visas, or other valid permissions. All candidates will be considered on equal terms.

This Trust currently recruits successfully from the domestic labour market and has a sufficient pool of suitably qualified candidates for Band 3 roles. Visa sponsorship is therefore not available for this role currently. Candidates who already hold the right to work in the UK, including those on an existing Health and Care Visa, Graduate Visa, or any other valid permission are welcome to apply and will be considered on equal terms. This position is reviewed regularly in line with Home Office guidance. Right to work will be verified at each stage of the recruitment and monitored throughout employment. All candidates who are offered a position will be required to provide evidence of their right to work in the UK as part of the pre-employment checks process. Where a candidates' right to work is derived from another person’s immigration permission, the Trust will discuss the implications of this with the candidate before a permanent post is confirmed, to ensure that both parties understand the terms on which employment can be sustained.

Recruitment and Selection Approach

In line with best practice and regulatory guidance, our selection process is fair, consistent and based on your ability to perform the role, contribute to the organisation and your potential for development.

What to expect:

• Application screening: Your application will be reviewed against the person specification
• Interview: Typically, a panel interview with competency-based and values-based questions
• Assessment: Role-dependent assessments may include practical tasks or presentations
• Timeline: We aim to complete the process within 47 days of the closing date. Recruitment Journey is attached to all live vacancies.

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments for disabled candidates at any stage. Please contact us to discuss your needs.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

Please note this vacancy may close early due to high volume of applications

Name Elizabeth Wassall Job title Speech and Language Therapy Service Manager Email address elizabeth.wassall@nhs.net Telephone number 07581005067 Additional information

Contact Monday to Friday between 8.30 am to 4.30 pm

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