Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Job summary Based at a large Special School in Crawley, we are looking for an enthusiastic and committed Band 7 to lead our Complex Needs Team of Speech and Language Therapists and Speech and Language Therapy Assistants. The role has a high clinical component and excellent clinical skills with at least 2 years experience in complex needs are required. Experience in dysphagia is desirable, and training in this area could be funded and supported. Some previous experience of supervision & management would be an advantage. There is a strong and supportive Band 7 Speech and Language Therapy network in the locality - and across the wider Trust. Main duties of the job This is a Clinical Lead role for Complex Needs in the Central Area of West Sussex, the applicant would work in conjunction with the Clinical Leads from neighbouring Brighton and Hove, as well as West Sussex. There are regular county wide meetings to review cases and opportunities to be part of a wider multi-disciplinary team ensuring a high quality service is delivered to children across the CDCs The ideal candidate be able write complex clinical reports based on assessment findings. They will have knowledge and skills suitable to be able to contribute to projects, data collection and strategic developments within the Complex Needs Pathway. They will have a solid understanding of universal, targeted and specialist service offers and how this is managed within a special school environment. Some experience of managing or supervising a small team would be an advantage. The Trust has an extensive Leadership Programme and is supportive of staff training and development. There will be opportunities to further skills and knowledge through CPD: in house management skills, access to colleagues across West Sussex Brighton & Hove as well as an Education and Training Department for funding external courses and other opportunities for development. About us We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex, with 6,000 staff serving 1.3 million people. We deliver essential care to adults and children, helping them manage their health, avoid hospital admissions, and reduce hospital stays. Our Trust vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community. We offer opportunities across medical, clinical, support, and corporate services. Why work for us? o Positive 2023 NHS Staff Survey results, highlighting compassionate leadership and wellbeingo Varied environments: community hospitals, patients' homes, and bases across Sussexo Flexible working options: part-time, flexi-time, annualised hours, and flexi-retiremento Excellent training, development, and research opportunitieso Cost-effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove, and Brightono Active EMBRACE, Disability & Wellbeing, LGBTQIA+, and Religion & Belief networkso Level 3 Disability Confident Leader and Veteran Aware Trusto Beautiful Sussex location near the South Downs and coast Our values -- Compassionate Care, Working Together, Achieving Ambitions, Delivering Excellence--guide everything we do. We embrace diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from ethnically diverse, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. We aim to create an inclusive environment and support reasonable adjustments during recruitment. This post may close early if sufficient applications are received. Details Date posted 11 July 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 7 Salary £46,148 to £52,809 a year per annum pro rata Contract Permanent Working pattern Part-time Reference number 150-MM1850-PC Job locations Manor Green Special School Lady Margaret Road Crawley RH11 0DUJob description Job responsibilities To provide assessment, diagnosis and management to children within the designated caseloads, providing highly specialist care plans. To provide advice to other professionals and parents in order to support the needs of children with speech, language and communication delay and disorder in specialist area. To provide advice to other professionals and parents in order to support the needs of children with Eating and Drinking difficulties. To organise caseloads within the scope of the highly specialist post advising the Team Lead of shortfalls and difficulties as they arise. To negotiate with parents, carers and others Multi-Disciplinary team members around individual case management, demonstrating compassion and empathy alongside well developed negotiation skills and management of conflict. To be responsible for administration and record keeping conforming to Departmental and Trust regulations concerning the format and security of patient records and the Data Protection Act. To be aware of, and adhere to, legal requirements relating to the provision of a Speech and Language Therapy Service and of procedures relating to Child Protection. To recognise own professional boundaries and seek advice and support as appropriate. To lead in the development of innovative practices, projects and therapy packages in specialist area in collaboration with SLT management team To participate in the development of Team and Service clinical policies and plans as directed by SLT management team. To provide timely and accurate statistics as required by the Department. To provide appropriate and timely reports and other client related correspondence, according to service standards and requirements of other agencies. Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for more details Job description Job responsibilities To provide assessment, diagnosis and management to children within the designated caseloads, providing highly specialist care plans. To provide advice to other professionals and parents in order to support the needs of children with speech, language and communication delay and disorder in specialist area. To provide advice to other professionals and parents in order to support the needs of children with Eating and Drinking difficulties. To organise caseloads within the scope of the highly specialist post advising the Team Lead of shortfalls and difficulties as they arise. To negotiate with parents, carers and others Multi-Disciplinary team members around individual case management, demonstrating compassion and empathy alongside well developed negotiation skills and management of conflict. To be responsible for administration and record keeping conforming to Departmental and Trust regulations concerning the format and security of patient records and the Data Protection Act. To be aware of, and adhere to, legal requirements relating to the provision of a Speech and Language Therapy Service and of procedures relating to Child Protection. To recognise own professional boundaries and seek advice and support as appropriate. To lead in the development of innovative practices, projects and therapy packages in specialist area in collaboration with SLT management team To participate in the development of Team and Service clinical policies and plans as directed by SLT management team. To provide timely and accurate statistics as required by the Department. To provide appropriate and timely reports and other client related correspondence, according to service standards and requirements of other agencies. Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for more details Person Specification Qualifications EssentialDegree / Diploma in Speech and Language Therapy HCPC Registration A masters level qualification or equivalent knowledge and skills demonstrated through wide range of paediatric experience and training DesirableMembership of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists Experience EssentialWide ranging paediatric SLT experience significant experience as a Specialist SLT (normally band 6 or above) Assessment, diagnosis and independent management of a wide range of paediatric caseload Clinical supervision of students, support staff and assistants Skills and Knowledge EssentialExtensive knowledge of assessments and therapy techniques and of different models and frameworks of working In-depth knowledge of issues relating to differential diagnosis and aetiology in a range of speech, language and communication difficulties Working knowledge of government policies, including Education systems, National Curriculum and National Service Framework for Children Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills Competent IT skills Highly developed auditory skills for assessing speech and language Car owner/driver or suitable alternative Person Specification Qualifications EssentialDegree / Diploma in Speech and Language Therapy HCPC Registration A masters level qualification or equivalent knowledge and skills demonstrated through wide range of paediatric experience and training DesirableMembership of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists Experience EssentialWide ranging paediatric SLT experience significant experience as a Specialist SLT (normally band 6 or above) Assessment, diagnosis and independent management of a wide range of paediatric caseload Clinical supervision of students, support staff and assistants Skills and Knowledge EssentialExtensive knowledge of assessments and therapy techniques and of different models and frameworks of working In-depth knowledge of issues relating to differential diagnosis and aetiology in a range of speech, language and communication difficulties Working knowledge of government policies, including Education systems, National Curriculum and National Service Framework for Children Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills Competent IT skills Highly developed auditory skills for assessing speech and language Car owner/driver or suitable alternative 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit theUK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab) . From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab) . UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please seeNHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit theUK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab) . From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab) . UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please seeNHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust Address Manor Green Special School Lady Margaret Road Crawley RH11 0DUEmployer's website(Opens in a new tab) Employer details Employer name Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust Address Manor Green Special School Lady Margaret Road Crawley RH11 0DUEmployer's website(Opens in a new tab)#J-18808-Ljbffr

Created: 2025-07-21