Highly Specialist Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist

Central London Community Healthcare (CLCH) is an advanced foundation trust and one of the largest community healthcare providers in the country, employing more than 4,500 staff across London and Hertfordshire. We offer a range of rewarding career opportunities, inclusive of developmental, behavioural and health services for children and adults.

Band 7 Highly Specialist Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist - Eating and Drinking Lead Location: Merton Birches Polyclinic, Town Mitcham Contract: Permanent, full time, flexible working Hours: 37.5 hours per week (Mon Fri 9 5) Salary: £55,524 - £62,652 per annum (inclusive of HCAS) Closing date: 19/07/:59

The successful candidate will lead the provision of assessment, diagnosis and intervention for children and young people with eating, drinking and swallowing (EDS) difficulties. Working across community, clinic, education and home settings, you will support integrated care, develop pathways and deliver specialist training.

• Manage a highly specialist caseload of children and young people presenting with EDS difficulties.
• Undertake complex clinical swallowing assessments and develop appropriate management plans.
• Lead on the development and review of EDS pathways, policies and clinical guidance.
• Provide expert advice and consultation to families, education staff and multidisciplinary colleagues.
• Deliver training and competency programmes to health, education and care professionals.
• Contribute to service development, clinical governance, audit and quality improvement initiatives.
• Supervise and support junior staff, students and support workers as appropriate.
• Work closely with paediatricians, dietitians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, specialist nurses, schools and other stakeholders to deliver integrated care.

CLCH values compassion, fairness and inclusion. We support the professional development and wellbeing of our staff, offering a supportive workplace culture and competitive employment package.

• Recognised SLT degree or equivalent.
• Current HCPC registration as an AHP.
• Evidence of competence in managing complex dysphagic patients in the 0 19 age group including those requiring enteral feeding.
• Evidence of relevant post registration education and training (e.g. SCERTS, VERVE, Intensive Interaction, Attention Autism, Hanen, Gestalt Language Processing, AAC, Dysphagia, Infant Feeding, Breastfeeding, Tracheostomy).

• Extensive experience of working in a variety of clinical settings.
• Experience of working and liaising with other MDT professionals.
• Recent experience within community SLT setting, specialising in complex needs and dysphagia in a paediatric population.
• Ability to understand complex issues, problem solve and propose solutions.
• Able to communicate with families and young people in an empathetic manner regarding treatment and procedures.
• Experience of supervising/ managing junior staff and students.
• Experience working with families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
• Experience of assessing and managing patients who require AAC.
• Experience working within a community paediatric SLT service.
• Experience working through the RCSLT NQP and dysphagia frameworks with junior SLTs.

• Excellent interpersonal skills including observation, listening and empathy.
• Highly specialist knowledge of a wide range of therapeutic interventions and evidence of specialist clinical expertise.
• Independence in managing paediatric dysphagia.
• Experience of using a range of assessment techniques for managing patients with dysphagia and complex needs.
• In depth knowledge of principles of clinical governance and audit.
• Proficient in IT including PowerPoint, Excel and Word.
• Excellent presentation skills, both written and verbal.
• Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Highly developed negotiation and problem solving skills.
• Good analytical and organisational ability.
• Ability to identify and assess potential risks in work activities and processes for self and others.
• Ability to deputise for service lead as required.
• Ability to listen effectively and provide constructive feedback to families and colleagues.
• Awareness of the management and use of data in the NHS setting.
• Postgraduate research in a relevant area.
• Completion of CPD related to dysphagia management.

• Ability to work in a team and be a proactive member, engaging in change processes.
• Self organise, prioritise and delegate effectively.
• Motivate others.
• Flexible work ethic.
• Assume leadership responsibilities.
• Address sensitive issues, e.g. complex condition related information to families and carers.
• Demonstrate initiative and innovative approaches towards work.
• Hold a full, valid UK driving licence and have access to a car for business purposes, unless a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010 applies, or you can travel independently using public transport or another mode.

• Guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria.
• Provide reasonable adjustments to support diverse needs throughout the recruitment and employment process.
• Challenge misconceptions about disability and foster an inclusive culture for everyone.

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.