Lead Paediatric Speech & Language Therapist (AAC)

Band 7 - Permanent, Full time (37.5 hrs per week). Job ref 222-HCH-010-A.

Site: Heart of Hounslow Health Centre, Town: Hounslow.

Salary: £55,524 - £62,652 per annum.

Experienced Speech and Language Therapist seeks a leadership role as Lead for Complex Needs and Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) within the Hounslow Children's Therapies Service. The role involves developing the Complex Needs pathway, providing expert clinical support, influencing service improvement, and maintaining a small clinical caseload in collaboration with allied health and partner organisations.

• Provide highly specialist assessment, intervention and expert clinical advice, including support for children using AAC.
• Supervise, mentor and develop Speech & Language Therapists, assistants and students through clinical supervision, teaching and coaching.
• Drive service improvement, quality initiatives and innovation, shaping the future of Children's Therapies across Hounslow.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary colleagues to deliver joined up care.
• Continue personal specialist practice development through protected CPD, research, audit and evidence based practice.

Key responsibilities include: leading the Complex Needs pathway, advising and training staff, managing a small clinical caseload, participating in quality improvement projects, and establishing partnerships with education and community services.

• Degree or diploma in Speech and Language Therapy.
• Registered with HCPC.
• Postgraduate MSc or equivalent in a specialist area (e.g., complex needs or AAC) - desirable.

• Significant experience as a Speech and Language Therapist in a specialist field (e.g., complex needs or AAC).
• Experience carrying out specialist assessments and interventions for the child group.
• Extensive experience with AAC (paper based and power based) and a total communication approach.
• Experience supervising less experienced SLTs and training others including parents/caregivers.

• Extensive knowledge of AAC methods and integration of other professionals' roles.

• Clear communication of complex or sensitive advice.
• Negotiation, problem solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to manage competing demands and priorities; flexible and organised.

West London NHS Trust provides a range of mental health, community and physical healthcare services for children, adults and older people in the London boroughs of Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham and Hounslow.

The Trust employs approximately 4,500 staff, of whom 56% are from BME backgrounds, and is rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commission.

West London NHS Trust is committed to diversity and equality and encourages applications from all suitable candidates.