Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist
At a glance
- Band
- Band 7
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Part-time, Flexible working
- Posted
- 08/09/2026
- Closes
- 22/09/2026
Sponsorship verdict
This contract type is not eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship.
NHS Trusts cannot issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for part-time, bank, locum, zero-hours, job-share or short fixed-term (under 12 months) contracts under current Home Office rules. This applies even when the wider Trust holds a Skilled Worker licence.
Role summary
This role is for an enthusiastic and motivated Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join a paediatric Speech and Language Therapy team. You will oversee Clinic and Designated Provision services, managing queries and supporting Team Leads with service targets and development. The position involves providing highly specialist assessment and intervention for children with speech, language, and communication needs, and offering clinical support to colleagues. You will work alongside other Highly Specialist SLTs and benefit from regular support, supervision, training, and flexible working.
Key responsibilities
- Manage day-to-day clinical and operational queries, offering specialist advice and support to SLTs and SLTAs.
- Support caseload and pathway planning, monitor performance against service targets, and contribute to clinical governance and quality improvement.
- Lead service development across Clinic and Designated Provision services.
- Provide highly specialist assessment and evidence-based intervention for children accessing the Clinic and Designated Provision services.
- Provide clinical leadership for the Clinic and Designated Provision (DP) services, supporting Team Leads with service planning, targets and development.
- Deliver highly specialist assessment and intervention for children with a range of speech, language and communication needs, while providing expert clinical advice and support to colleagues.
Essential criteria
- Relevant experience at a post graduate level in early language difficulties, Social Communication difficulties (ASD), speech disorders, dysfluency, selective mutism.
- In-depth experience within preschool/ clinic service area
- Experience of managing large caseloads, prioritisation, planning workloads
- Experience of monitoring service outcomes
- Experience of supporting / mentoring less experienced staff
- Experience of managing/supporting Speech and Language Therapy assistants
Desirable criteria
- Experience assessing social communication skills and contributing to a neurodevelopmental pathway assessment for ASD diagnosis.
- Experience working in specialist provision / school setting
- Skills and Knowledge
- In depth knowledge of SEND Code of Practice and National Curriculum
- Knowledge of relevant NICE guidelines.
- Excellent interpersonal skills including observation, listening and empathy skills
- Negotiation and problem solving skills
- Demonstrates good analytical and reflection skills
- Well developed concentration skills
- Good presentation skills, both written and verbal
- Good organisational skills
- Prioritisation skills
- Good auditory skills and ability to transcribe speech phonetically
- Demonstrates ability to be a good team member
- Well established knowledge of assessment tools relevant to the client group
- Well established knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions (relevant to the client group)
- Knowledge of national policies and procedures (relevant to the client group)
- Understanding of the roles of other professionals (relevant to the client group)
- Knowledge of standards of record keeping
- IT skills
- Evidence of CPD
- Relationships
- If you are related to a director or have a relationship with a director or employee of an appointing organisation, please state the relationship.
- Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or
- Equivalent
- Health Care Professions Council registration.
- RCSLT Licence to Practice
- Evidence of additional training / continuing professional development around specialist area
- Registered member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
- Membership of relevant Clinical Excellence Networks
- Knowledge of a range of AAC including both electronic and paper-based
- Job Specific Requirements
- The ability to travel independently across North Cheshire and Mersey Trust
- The ability to work flexibly in accordance with service needs
- Right to Work
- Do you currently have the unrestricted right to work in the UK?
- If appointed, will you require sponsorship under a UK work visa route (now or in the future)?
- Please note that sponsorship is not available for all roles. Sponsorship will only be considered where the post meets the relevant UK immigration requirements and where the organisation determines that sponsorship is appropriate for the role.
- Relevant experience at a post graduate level in early language difficulties, Social Communication difficulties (ASD), speech disorders, dysfluency, selective mutism.
- In-depth experience within preschool/ clinic service area
- Experience of managing large caseloads, prioritisation, planning workloads
- Experience of monitoring service outcomes
- Experience of supporting / mentoring less experienced staff
- Experience of managing/supporting Speech and Language Therapy assistants
- Experience assessing social communication skills and contributing to a neurodevelopmental pathway assessment for ASD diagnosis.
- Experience working in specialist provision / school setting
- Skills and Knowledge
- In depth knowledge of SEND Code of Practice and National Curriculum
- Knowledge of relevant NICE guidelines.
- Excellent interpersonal skills including observation, listening and empathy skills
- Negotiation and problem solving skills
- Demonstrates good analytical and reflection skills
- Well developed concentration skills
- Good presentation skills, both written and verbal
- Good organisational skills
- Prioritisation skills
- Good auditory skills and ability to transcribe speech phonetically
- Demonstrates ability to be a good team member
- Well established knowledge of assessment tools relevant to the client group
- Well established knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions (relevant to the client group)
- Knowledge of national policies and procedures (relevant to the client group)
- Understanding of the roles of other professionals (relevant to the client group)
- Kno
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 7 at £46,148 – £52,809 a year, across England.
This advert: £49,387 – £56,515 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 1d ago · Closes in 14d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust (BCH)
Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist
The closing date is 22 September 2026
Job summary
We are seeking an
enthusiastic and motivated Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to
join our large, friendly and innovative paediatric Speech and Language Therapy
team. We can offer the opportunity to work alongside a diverse range of skilled
clinicians and support staff across a well-established service. We place equal
importance on delivering excellent outcomes for children and young people and
ensuring the wellbeing, development and support of our workforce.
In this role, you will oversee our Clinic and
Designated Provision (DP) services, managing day-to-day queries and supporting
Team Leads with service targets, planning and ongoing service development. You
will provide highly specialist assessment and intervention for children with a
range of speech, language and communication needs and provide clinical support
to your colleagues. You will work alongside other Highly Specialist SLTs and
benefit from regular support, supervision, training and flexible working.
Main duties of the job
The
postholder will manage day-to-day clinical and operational queries, offer
specialist advice and support to SLTs and SLTAs, and promote consistent,
high-quality practice. Working closely with Team Leads, they will
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