About this role
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and clinical lead specialist Speech and Language Therapist to lead on Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) across Children's Speech and Language Therapy Services and the local area. The postholder will provide strategic, clinical and professional leadership to ensure the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based services for children and young people with DLD.
As the Clinical Lead for DLD, you will drive service development, quality improvement and innovation, while maintaining a clinical caseload of complex cases. You will provide expert assessment, diagnosis, intervention, consultation and training, support Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) processes, and work collaboratively with education, health, social care and voluntary sector partners to improve outcomes for children and families.
The role also includes providing leadership, supervision and mentorship to staff and students, contributing to research, audit and service evaluation activities, and ensuring services reflect current evidence, national guidance and professional standards. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated clinician to shape and develop specialist DLD services while supporting excellence in clinical practice across the wider service.
Main duties of the job
Core Responsibilities of the RoleProvide strategic, clinical and professional leadership for Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) services across Children's Speech and Language Therapy Services, driving service development, care pathway improvement and high-quality, evidence-based practice.
Clinical / Service DeliveryProvide highly specialist assessment, diagnosis, consultation and intervention for children and young people with DLD and complex communication needs, including contributing to EHCP and statutory assessment processes.
Operational and Administrative DutiesMaintain accurate clinical records and support service monitoring, governance, data analysis and quality improvement activities.
Leadership and Management ResponsibilitiesProvide clinical supervision, mentoring and professional leadership to staff and students, supporting workforce development and effective multi-agency working.
Research and DevelopmentLead and participate in audit, research, service evaluation and quality improvement initiatives to promote best practice and innovation.
Financial ResponsibilitySupport the effective use of staffing, equipment and service resources to ensure efficient and sustainable service delivery.
Professional DevelopmentMaintain advanced specialist knowledge in DLD through ongoing professional development and contribute to the training and development of others.
About us
Royal Free London works within the West and North London Integrated Care System (ICS)is a partnership of organisations working together to improve health and wellbeing for everyone in west and north London.
The ICS includes the NHS, local councils, voluntary groups, community organisations and many others. We join up our work so people get better care and support, wherever they live.
As with other ICS's, we are working increasingly closely with partners and many of our financial and performance objectives are measured at this system level. Whilst all organisations remain as standalone, statutory bodies we have an ICS infrastructure for making shared decisions and agreeing shared approaches.
North Middlesex University Hospital and community services (North Mid) is one of the Royal Free London's four hospitals.
The health unit provides both hospital and community care, helping to keep people in the best possible health at every stage in their lives.
Job description Job responsibilities Core Responsibilities of the Role
Act as the Clinical Lead for Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) across Children's Speech and Language Therapy Services. Provide strategic, clinical and professional leadership for the development and delivery of high-quality DLD services. Lead service developments, care pathways and quality improvement initiatives relating to children and young people with Developmental Language Disorder and associated speech, language and communication needs. Promote evidence-based practice and ensure clinical services reflect current research, national guidance and professional standards. Contribute to strategic planning and service transformation to improve outcomes for children and young people with speech, language and communication needs. Clinical / Service Delivery
Provide highly specialist assessment, differential diagnosis, consultation and intervention for children and young people presenting with Developmental Language Disorder and complex speech, language and communication needs. Provide specialist advice and second opinions for complex cases, statutory assessments and Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments. Develop and implement highly specialist intervention programmes informed by evidence-based practice and outcome measurement. Produce high-quality reports for EHCPs, annual reviews, placement consultations and tribunal proceedings as required. Support the development of communication-friendly environments within educational and community settings. Ensure delivery of safe, effective and person-centred services that promote meaningful participation and improved outcomes. Operational and Administrative Duties
Maintain accurate, contemporaneous and legally compliant clinical records in line with Trust, HCPC and RCSLT standards. Monitor and evaluate service activity, performance and outcomes and provide reports as required. Contribute to policy, protocol and pathway development within the service. Ensure compliance with safeguarding, information governance and risk management requirements. Leadership and Management Responsibilities
Provide professional leadership, clinical supervision and mentorship to therapists, assistants and students. Support workforce planning, recruitment, induction, retention and staff development. Lead and facilitate clinical networks, communities of practice and professional forums. Contribute to appraisal and performance development processes. Lead projects and working groups as delegated by the Service Manager. Develop effective partnerships with education, health, social care and voluntary sector organisations. Research and Development
Lead and participate in audit, service evaluation, quality improvement and research projects. Promote the use of outcome measures and data-driven service improvements. Disseminate research findings and learning through presentations, publications and training activities. Maintain awareness of emerging evidence and developments relating to Developmental Language Disorder. Financial Responsibility Exercise responsibility for the safe and appropriate use of clinical resources and equipment. Contribute to efficient use of staffing and service resources. Support cost-effective service delivery through service planning and evaluation. Professional Development Maintain advanced specialist knowledge in Developmental Language Disorder through continuing professional development (for example, through NAPLIC membership and conference attendance) Participate in appraisal and personal development review processes. Undertake relevant training, research, networking and leadership development activities.
Person Specification
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS Essential
Degree or recognised qualification in Speech and Language Therapy HCPC Registered. Registered Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists Evidence of substantial postgraduate training or experience relevant to Developmental Language Disorder and associated SLCN
Desirable
Leadership/management qualification or equivalent experience
EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE Essential
Significant post-registration experience working with children and young people with speech, language and communication needs Extensive experience of assessment and intervention for Developmental Language Disorder Experience of differential diagnosis and complex case management Experience contributing to EHCP assessments and statutory processes Experience providing clinical supervision,
Desirable
Experience of research, audit or service evaluation
SKILLS AND ABILITIES Essential
Advanced specialist clinical skills in Developmental Language Ability to manage highly complex cases and make autonomous clinical decisions High-quality report writing and presentation skills Ability to communicate complex information clearly to a range of audiences Strong organisational, prioritisation and project management skills
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 Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
Address St Micheal's Hospital
Gater Drive
Enfield
EN2 0JB
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.royalfreelondonjobs.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)