Specialist Speech and Language Therapist


Company:	NHS Jobs
Salary:	£47,951 - £56,863
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Islington, N7 6LB
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	27 Jul 2026
Closing date:	10 Aug 2026

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Summary

CLINICAL 1. To demonstrate specialist clinical expertise in the assessment, treatment and management of language and communication difficulties in school age children, providing appropriate intervention and evaluating outcomes 2. To demonstrate specialist knowledge in this clinical area underpinned by current evidence-based practice and outcome measures 3. To demonstrate highly developed auditory and perceptual skills in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients/clients 4. To make appropriate differential diagnoses and specialist clinical decisions based on evidence from assessment of complex cases, seeking advice as appropriate 5. To develop knowledge and skill in a range of language and communication difficulties in school age children consulting with clinical supervisor as appropriate. 6. To apply specialist knowledge to inform sound clinical judgements/decision making for case management, developing clear care plans based on best practice 7. To provide advice to others regarding the management and care of patients/clients with language and communication difficulties 8. To communicate complex condition related information from assessment to clients, carers, families and members of the multi-disciplinary team/other professions, demonstrating empathy and ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where barriers to understanding exist 9. To work closely with clients, carers and families, to agree plans of management 10. To deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible 11. To form productive relationships with others who may be under stress and/or have challenging communication difficulties 12. To employ excellent communication skills 13. To develop skills in motivating clients and /or carers to engage in the therapeutic process 14. To maintain sensitivity at all times to the emotional needs of clients and their carers in particular when imparting potentially distressing information regarding the nature of the childs difficulties and implications of the same 15. To develop the ability to manage children with challenging behaviours employing appropriate management strategies 16. To monitor and review the progress of clients against the targets set and agreed, and to modify targets as appropriate 17. To adapt practice to meet individual patient/client circumstances 18. To reflect on clinical practice both individually and with peers identifying strengths and development needs, providing evidence of sound clinical judgements, based on research and evidence-based practice. 19. To develop the ability to reflect on auditory, visual and kinaesthetic aspects of clients communication and to identify appropriate strategies to facilitate and enhance communicative effectiveness 20. To be aware of legal requirements relating to the provision of a specialist speech and language therapy service. 21. To maintain up to date and accurate case notes and write reports reflecting specialist knowledge, and ensuring that they meet departmental standards and are in line with local Trust Policy, and RCSLT professional standards 22. To demonstrate an awareness of current policies and practice in education 23. To manage and prioritise a defined caseload and workload independently, advising line manager on issues of service delivery including shortfall, service pressures etc 24. To demonstrate skills in dealing with complex issues to generate appropriate strategies for caseload management 25. To contribute to multi-agency assessments, including the statutory educational assessment procedure, as required 26. To demonstrate negotiation skills 27. To negotiate with clients, carers and others around individual case management 28. To develop negotiation skills in the management of conflict across a range of situations recognising potential breakdown and conflict when it occurs and seeking advice and support to resolve 29. To ensure that clients are referred to other services as appropriate 30. To develop a working knowledge of the principles of Clinical Governance and their application to professional practice. This will include compliance with / adherence to, and implementation of service and team plans and policies, National and Local Guidelines and RCSLT Professional and Clinical guidelines. 31. To develop a working knowledge of relevant procedures including Safeguarding Children, SEN procedures, Working with Vulnerable Adults and other legal frameworks. 32. To contribute to the local Trusts systems of clinical governance, participating in and developing innovations in areas of risk management, quality standards setting and clinical effectiveness in collaboration with others 33. To be accountable for own professional action recognising professional boundaries and working within defined departmental and national protocols/policies and professional code of conduct, seeking advice as appropriate 34. To work independently accessing appraisal within an Individual Performance Framework at pre-determined intervals For full job description and person specification, please see attached document.

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