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Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist Neurodisability Dysphagia

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Employment type not specifiedExperience not specifiedPeterlee

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation TrustPeterlee

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County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist Neurodisability Dysphagia

The closing date is 06 November 2026

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Job summary

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.

If you are passionate about making a difference for children and families and are looking for your next leadership opportunity, we would love to hear from you. Informal conversations about the role are warmly welcomed

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 Childrens 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.

About us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.

Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

Please note that we may close any vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications have been received.

Details

Date posted

30 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£49,387 to £56,515 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9439-2627-RP-N230

Job locations

Peterlee Hospital

O'neill Drive

PETERLEE

County Durham

SR8 5UQ

United Kingdom

Willington Childrens Centre

Chapel Street

Willington

CROOK

County Durham

DL15 0EQ

United Kingdom

Job description

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 specialist 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.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Provides specialist assessment and management of paediatric dysphagia, including participation in Videofluoroscopy Swallow Studies (VFSS).