Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (dysphagia specialist)

The closing date is 12 July 2026

• To assess and diagnose children with complex communication disorders, complex eating and drinking difficulties and severe learning disability.
• To co coordinate therapeutic support for Augmentative and Alternative Communication for children with complex needs.
• To develop and implement highly specialist speech and language therapy treatment programmes and to measure and evaluate outcomes.
• To ensure that clients/parents/teaching staff are involved in the planning and prioritisation of the treatment plans wherever possible.
• To provide highly specialist advice and programmes to parents/guardians, carers and other professionals regarding the management and care of children with complex communication disorders, complex eating and drinking difficulties, AAC needs and severe learning disability.
• To demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence-based practice and outcome measures.
• To produce detailed reports reflecting specialist knowledge, regarding clients' needs and summarising proposed treatment plans.
• To contribute to legal documents such as Education Health and Care Plans, Individual Education Plans and Annual Reviews, as appropriate.
• To adapt practice to meet individual client circumstances, including due regard for cultural and linguistic differences.
• To maintain up to date and accurate case notes in line with RCSLT professional standards and local trust policies.
• To share information with clients, carers and other professionals, observing data protection guidelines.
• To contribute highly specialist knowledge to multidisciplinary teams to ensure a client focused approach to treatment.
• To communicate complex information from specialist assessment and treatment to clients, carers and other professionals.
• To represent at health panels where required.
• To work closely with clients, carers and other professionals to negotiate and agree on client management.
• To demonstrate empathy with clients, carers and colleagues, ensuring effective communication is achieved, particularly where significant barriers to understanding exist.
• To respond sensitively at all times, especially when imparting potentially distressing information regarding the nature of the clinical difficulties and their implications.
• To demonstrate expert skills in motivating clients, carers and other professionals to engage in the therapeutic process.
• To demonstrate expert skills in managing conflict within the clinical specialist area.
• To deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible, in line with organisational policy.
• To foster productive relationships with others who have challenging communication difficulties and who may be under stress.
• To apply expert strategies to facilitate and enhance the effectiveness of communication, both verbal, non verbal and environmental, including the use of high and low tech AAC where required.
• To provide highly specialist assessment and advice on optimising the client's communicative environment, taking into consideration the communication skills of parents/guardians, carers and other professionals.
• To provide specialist clinical advice, support and second opinions for therapists and other professionals working with children with complex communication disorders, complex eating and drinking difficulties, AAC needs and severe learning disability, offering case discussions, joint assessments, joint intervention and therapy programmes as appropriate.
• To demonstrate independence in dealing with complex issues related to caseload management.
• To employ counselling skills with parents and clients with highly complex needs.
• To discharge appropriately, agreeing a point of closure with the parents and child and informing other professionals as appropriate.

• To develop and deliver specialist training to others in the area of complex communication disorders, behavioural, emotional, and social difficulties and special needs.
• To demonstrate the ability to target training appropriately to the needs of course participants.
• To demonstrate the ability to reflect on and evaluate training provided.

• To gather statistical data punctually.
• To participate in departmental research as required.
• To undertake Clinical Governance / audit projects within the local service as required.
• To develop a working knowledge of relevant procedures including safeguarding children, SEN procedures, working with vulnerable adults and other legal frameworks.

• To identify personal/professional development needs and evidence in a Personal Development Plan or Professional Portfolio within an appraisal framework.
• To participate in individual performance review, ensuring that the objectives set reflect the service and trust plans, including objectives relevant for complex learning difficulties and emotional behavioural disorders.
• To attend relevant special interest groups, specialist short courses and advanced training to develop and maintain skills and knowledge required of a highly specialist therapist and to maintain up to date HCPC and RCSLT registration.
• To demonstrate knowledge of and adhere to RCSLT Professional and Local Clinical Guidelines and develop local guidance in the specialist area for the department.
• To attend relevant in service training and meetings.
• To demonstrate knowledge of, and adherence to, RCSLT Professional and Local Clinical Guidelines and best practice.

• To supervise the work of specialist, generalist therapists, newly qualified therapists and assistants.
• To participate in student placements as appropriate.
• To explain the role of Speech and Language Therapists to visitors, students and volunteers.

• To demonstrate the ability to reflect on practice independently, with peers and mentors to identify own strengths and development needs.
• To demonstrate a well developed ability to integrate information, taking account of all aspects of the client's communication including verbal, non verbal and environmental.
• To anticipate and take appropriate steps to prevent the breakdown of relationships with parents/guardians and other professionals.
• To make appropriate clinical decisions following assessment, seeking support and advice from a specialist as appropriate.
• To make a differential diagnosis on the basis of evidence from specialist assessment, seeking support from internal and external sources as appropriate.

• To demonstrate the well developed ability to manage people with communication disorders and challenging behaviour, including the application of appropriate management strategies.
• To work within infection control and health and safety guidelines in order to deal appropriately with unpleasant conditions related to client contact as they arise, for example exposure to body fluids, infectious conditions encountered on a regular basis.

• The ability to travel independently across the Trust.
• The ability to work flexibly in accordance with service needs.

• If you are related to a director or have a relationship with a director or employee of an appointing organisation, please state the relationship.

• Significant experience of working within client group including education.
• Knowledge of AAC including Makaton and PECS.
• Experience of a range of relevant paediatric communication disorders.
• Experience of student training.
• Experience working in a multi disciplinary team.
• Experience in supporting other SLTs.
• Experience supporting other Therapists.
• Organisation, preparation and presentation of training courses for teachers and parents.

• Please confirm your Right to Work status (share codes will be checked where applicable).

• Qualified Speech & Language Therapist. Registered with HCPC.
• Attended post graduation courses / significant experience relating to Dysphagia and children with complex communication disorders.
• Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

• Knowledge of Code of Practice and National Curriculum.
• Knowledge of a wide range of therapeutic interventions for SLT disorders and delay.
• Highly competent with AAC.
• High standard of report writing.

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.