About this role
Job summary
We are seeking experienced and innovative Speech and Language Therapists to provide locality leadership for the new Experts at Hand model across Bedfordshire and Luton. Working across education, early years and community settings, you will help develop an integrated universal, targeted and specialist offer that strengthens early identification, builds workforce capability and supports inclusive practice for children and young people with speech, language and communication needs.
Combining specialist clinical expertise with consultation, coaching, supervision, service improvement and system leadership, you will support EaH practitioners and the wider Speech and Language Therapy workforce to embed new ways of working. You will also maintain a small targeted-plus and specialist caseload for children and young people with more complex needs.
Should we receive a high number of applications we reserve the right to close this vacancy at any point after 17th August 2026
Main duties of the job
Working with the Experts at Hand Strategic Lead and wider Speech and Language Therapy service, the post holder will:
Provide clinical and locality leadership for implementation of the Experts at Hand model within a defined area.
Work with SaLT Locality Leads and multidisciplinary partners to develop an integrated universal, targeted and specialist offer across education, early years and community settings.
Act as a senior clinical resource, providing specialist advice, consultation, second opinions and collaborative problem-solving.
Lead consultation, coaching, training and communication-environment audits to strengthen the graduated response and build workforce capability.
Coproduce, implement and evaluate targeted interventions at individual, group and whole-setting level.
Provide clinical supervision and competency development for SaLTs, Support Practitioners and apprentices.
Maintain a small targeted-plus and specialist caseload, undertaking assessment, differential diagnosis, intervention and outcome evaluation for children and young people with complex communication needs.
Participate in locality multidisciplinary and Team Around the School arrangements, working with children, families and partners.
Contribute to workforce planning, quality improvement and service evaluation, using activity and outcome data to demonstrate impact and develop the model.
About us
Rated 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission, we are proud to provide high quality innovative services across most of the east of England that enable people to receive care closer to home and live healthier lives.
There's one reason why our services are outstanding - and that's our amazing staff who, for the seventh year running, rated us incredibly highly in the national staff survey.
If you share our passion for innovative and high-quality care delivery, then please submit your application and join us on our exciting journey as a leading-edge specialist community provider. All are welcome to apply and our promise to you is a culture which prioritises staff engagement and development.
Please be aware that East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust will never ask applicants to pay fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including job applications, sponsorship arrangements, or employment offers. All recruitment communications and job applications should only be made through our official careers website and published contact details.
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Job description Job responsibilities
Job Purpose
We are excited to introduce an innovative Experts at Hand (EaH) model supporting children and young people across education and early years settings within Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes, with a focus on strengthening universal and targeted provision and improving outcomes for children and young people with speech, language and communication needs.
The EaH model builds on local and national learning from ELSEC, Team Around the School (TAS), Partnership for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) and SEND reforms. It aims to improve early identification, reduce escalation to specialist services, build workforce capability and support more inclusive educational environments.
The post holder will provide locality leadership for implementation of the Experts at Hand model within a defined geographical area. Working collaboratively with the Strategic Lead, Speech and Language Therapy Locality Leads and wider multidisciplinary partners, the post holder will support the development of an integrated universal, targeted and specialist speech, language and communication offer across education and community settings.
The role combines specialist clinical expertise with workforce development, consultation, coaching, service improvement and system leadership. The post holder will provide leadership and supervision to EaH practitioners whilst supporting the wider Speech and Language Therapy workforce to embed new ways of working that increase capacity, improve inclusion and strengthen early intervention.
The post holder will maintain a small targeted-plus and specialist clinical caseload, providing specialist consultation, assessment and intervention for children and young people with more complex speech, language and communication needs where required.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Clinical and Locality Leadership
The role combines highly specialist clinical practice with locality leadership responsibilities, supporting implementation of the Experts at Hand model and development of a sustainable universal, targeted and specialist offer within the locality, with approximately a 50:50 division of time.
Work alongside Speech and Language Therapy Locality Leads to support delivery of an integrated universal, targeted and specialist model of care.Act as a senior clinical resource within the locality, providing specialist advice, consultation and second opinions to colleagues and partner agencies.
Support the development of communication-supportive environments across education, early years and community settings.
Support implementation of the graduated response through consultation, coaching, modelling and collaborative problem solving.
Participate in locality-based multidisciplinary meetings and Team Around the School meetings.
Contribute to strategic discussions regarding service demand, workforce planning and service development within the locality.
Universal and Targeted Offer
Lead the development and delivery of evidence-based training programmes for education staff, early years practitioners, parent carers and wider partners.
Coproduce the targeted offer with clusters of neighbourhood settings.Deliver consultation and coaching to increase workforce confidence and capability in supporting children and young people with speech, language and communication needs.
Undertake communication environment audits and support settings to implement recommendations.
Develop, implement and evaluate targeted intervention programmes at individual, group and whole-setting level.
Support the development of communication champions and sustainable workforce capacity within schools and settings.
Work collaboratively with parent carer forums and wider community partners to promote understanding of speech, language and communication needs.
Workforce Development and Leadership
Provide clinical leadership, supervision and support to Band 6/5 Speech and Language Therapists, Band 4 Support Practitioners and apprentices working within the EaH model.
Support induction, competency development and ongoing professional development of EaH staff.
Lead and support implementation of new ways of working across the wider locality workforce, including increased use of consultation, coaching, training and targeted interventions.
Identify workforce development needs and contribute to the planning and delivery of training programmes across the service.
Support recruitment, retention and workforce development initiatives as delegated by senior leaders.
Act as a role model for collaborative, strengths-based and inclusive practice.
Specialist Clinical Practice
Maintain a small targeted-plus and specialist clinical caseload.Undertake specialist assessment, differential diagnosis and intervention for children and young people presenting with complex speech, language and communication needs.Provide specialist consultation to support decision making regarding escalation into specialist services.Develop highly individualised intervention plans based on assessment findings and evidence-based practice.Utilise outcome measures to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of intervention.Maintain professional registration and practice in accordance with HCPC and RCSLT standards.
Service Development and Governance
Contribute to the ongoing development, implementation and evaluation of the Experts at Hand model. Support collection, analysis and interpretation of activity, outcome and impact data.
Participate in audit, quality improvement and service evaluation activities.
Contribute to the development of policies, pathways, clinical guidance and standard operating procedures.
Support implementation of local and national priorities relating to SEND reform, inclusion and speech, language and communication.
Promote evidence-based practice and contribute to the development of innovative models of service delivery.
Communication
Communicate complex clinical information clearly to parents, carers, education staff and professionals.
Provide clinical leadership, supervision, and support to Band 4 and Band 6/5 therapists, while coordinating the day-to-day delivery of the service.Build strong relationships across education, health and SEND partnerships.
Provide professional advice to support decision-making regarding childrens needs.
Maintain clear and accurate clinical records in line with service standards.Communicate professionally as an expert representative within the Multi-Disciplinary Team around the school with SALT, Education Psychologists, Education staff and CAMHS.
Maintain clear and accurate outcome measures for intervention, training and delivery of the EAH model.
Budgetary Responsibility
To monitor stock levels in own service area and request new equipment as appropriate.
Does not hold budgetary responsibility but is aware of the need to plan non- pay expenditure.
People Management
Provide line management, supervision, and support to Band 6/5 Therapists and Band 4 Support Practitioners/Apprentices, including responsibility for recruitment, attendance management, wellbeing, performance management, capability, and disciplinary processes.Lead on the induction, appraisal and development of team members, ensuring regular review and support of individual objectives and professional development.
Provide supervision, support, and coaching to students within the Occupational Therapy Service, facilitating their learning and professional development.
Provide mentoring, guidance, and professional support to junior colleagues to support their development and clinical practice.Promote and maintain mandatory training compliance across the team in line with Trust requirements.
Identify learning and development needs within the service and develop and deliver training plans to address knowledge and skills gaps.
Research & Development Activity
To participate in development of policy, clinical guidelines, clinical governance and service development through discussion, including innovative practice, in collaboration with colleagues.
Responsibility for specific, clearly defined projects as delegated by EaH lead.
To develop care protocols and innovative practice in area of clinical specialism.
To be familiar with local and national standards and to work in line with these.
To initiate and undertake research/audit/outcome measures to develop the evidence base and improve the effectiveness of the service to children.
Clinical and Practice Governance
Maintain confidentiality and comply with Information Governance policies.
Adhere to safeguarding policies and procedures.
Participate in supervision, audit and pathway development.
Work within professional and organisational guidelines.
Maintain own mandatory training and monitor compliance across the team.
Support development of Standard Operating Procedures and Policy.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training Essential
Evidence of successful completion of short specialist courses Leadership gained through experience Degree or Post graduate equivalent in Speech and Language Therapy Registered Member of HPC
Desirable
ELKLAN training Leadership training/qualification
Experience Essential
Experience working with children and young people in education or community settings Experience working at universal and targeted levels of intervention Experience of multi-agency working Experience of co-production with children and young people, families and key stakeholders
Desirable
Experience of managing people and performance including implementing improvement plans Experience in service development or quality improvement Experience working in high deprivation / diverse communities
Knowledge and skills Essential
Knowledge of national SEND reforms and inclusion agenda Knowledge of universal, targeted and specialist approaches to meeting speech, language and communication needs within education, early years and community settings Knowledge of outcome measurement, quality improvement and evaluation approaches relevant to integrated service development Knowledge and experience of co-production with parents/carers and other key stakeholders Ability to provide consultation, coaching, training and constructive challenge. Ability to influence, negotiate and build effective relationships across organisational boundaries.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check 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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust (Cambridge)
Address Woburn Court
2 Railton Road
Bedford
MK427PN
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.eastofenglandcommunityhealthandcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)