Speech and Language TherapistNHS

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, motivated and well-organised Speech and Language Therapist to join our Children's SLT Service in County Durham. You will be part of a supportive and experienced team of SLTs, Assistant Practitioners and dedicated administrative staff. Working within a locality team, you will manage a varied caseload of children and young people, with access to support and supervision from Clinical Leads and Specialist Therapists as required. This post is suited to a newly qualified practitioner, providing an excellent foundation for a career in children's speech and language therapy. We offer excellent CPD, regular supervision, peer support and opportunities to develop specialist skills. In April 2025, Children's Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy services came together to form a wider Children's Therapies Service within County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust. This is an exciting time to join the team as we move towards an integrated therapies service.

If you are passionate about making a difference and developing your career within a supportive and forward-thinking team, we would love to hear from you!

Main duties of the job

To provide speech and language therapy services to children and young people with a range of different speech, language and communication needs.

To be an active member of the local multi-disciplinary team and work closely with the Childrens Therapy team to ensure continued development of the service.

The post holder will need to be proactive, flexible and responsive to the changing needs and demands of the organisation and will support the smooth running of the service.

Work within a designated locality team

As a key member of the team you will be passionate about improving health outcomes for children and young people, and will work closely with health colleagues, partner agencies, parents and carers. You will be an excellent communicator and enjoy working both independently and as part of a team in different settings.

Work within a range of community venues including homes, clinics and education settings

Job description

Generate appropriate strategies to manage an individual caseload including the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and discharge of a diverse range of clients with a broad range of communication, eating and drinking difficulties with supervision, support and guidance from senior clinicians.

Design and select appropriate means of assessment, analyse assessment data, make appropriate clinical decisions and define a differential diagnosis regarding level of client functioning, with guidance from clinical supervisors as required.

Structure and implement evidence-based, individually tailored intervention programmes for children/young people, families and other professionals based on current understanding of best practice guidelines with support and guidance from senior clinicians.

Identify the need for second opinions in discussion with senior clinicians.

Ensure clients are involved in the planning and prioritisation of their care plans wherever possible.

To adapt practice to meet individual patient circumstances including regard for cultural and linguistic differences.

Maintain contemporaneous clinical records, gather data, provide reports, share information and give advice and recommendations to the child/young person, carers and other involved professionals about the child/young persons abilities and needs in line with professional standards, local Trust policies and data protection guidelines

Continually evaluate the effectiveness of care protocols and packages of care, audit and implement changes as appropriate in conjunction with lead clinician/line manager

Evaluate the effects of the communication difficulty on the psychological health of the client.

Undertaking all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner.

Liaising with parents/carers, multi-disciplinary/multi-agency teams, in the assessment, reporting and treatment programming, ensuring a holistic approach.

Contributing to and actively participating in, In-Service training, supervision, C.P.D. and appraisal.

Independently supervise the work of speech and language therapy assistants with a range of clients across acute and community settings, including providing advice and guidance on carrying out therapy strategies, with guidance from senior clinicians

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.

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