About this role
Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for a Band 7 Early Years Speech and Language Therapy Operational Lead to join Children and Young People's Integrated Therapies. This role will provide day-to-day operational leadership for the West Early Years SLT service, supporting delivery for pre-school children with speech, language and communication needs.
You will work closely with the CYPIT leadership team, operational colleagues, clinicians, early years partners and local authority colleagues to plan, coordinate, monitor and develop services. The post includes line management responsibility for defined staff, contribution to performance and quality reporting, and opportunities to shape service improvement.
This is a varied role requiring strong clinical knowledge, confident communication skills and the ability to support safe, effective and responsive service delivery.
We are looking for someone who can combine clinical expertise with operational oversight, partnership working and a commitment to continuous improvement across children's therapy services.
Our core working hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00-17:00, with flexibility where service needs allow. The role will involve travel across Trust and community settings, with opportunities for some home working. This is a part-time role with a minimum commitment of 3 days (22.5 hours) per week. Additional working hours may be considered.
Main duties of the job
Provide day-to-day operational management of the CYPIT West Early Years SLT service, coordinating clinical delivery for pre-school children with speech, language and communication needs.
Line manage defined staff, supporting recruitment, induction, supervision, appraisal, absence management and performance in line with Trust policies.
Work with the CYPIT leadership team, clinicians and operational partners to plan, deliver, monitor and evaluate services, ensuring performance targets and quality standards are met.
Use service data, outcome measures, audit, feedback and incident learning to inform service planning, clinical effectiveness and risk management.
Build effective relationships with early years, education, health, social care and local authority partners, including support for SEND processes and tribunal-related work where required.
Maintain an appropriate clinical role, where needed, and provide advice and support to staff on complex clinical and service delivery issues.
Deputise for CYPIT Early Years, Early Help EAS or school age leads as required.
About us
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.
Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:
Caring for and about you is our top priority Committed to providing good quality, safe services Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:
Flexible working options to support work-life balance 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell Generous NHS pension scheme Excellent learning and career development opportunities 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave Free parking across Trust sites
Job description Job responsibilities
The must have's for this role:
1. A recognised Speech and Language Therapy qualification, HCPC registration and significant experience within children's therapy services, including early years or complex needs.
2. Evidence of leadership experience, including staff management, supervision, mentoring, service development or leading change in practice.
3. Strong knowledge of children's health services, SEND, early help, relevant legislation and best practice, with the ability to work collaboratively across agencies.
4. Ability to use performance information, audit, outcome measures and service data to monitor delivery, manage risk and support continuous improvement.
For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.
Your application is your opportunity to demonstrate to us how you meet the requirements of the role. We recognise that AI tools can support accessibility, equity and confidence for applicants. However, its important that examples and responses given in your supporting statement genuinely reflect your own experience and abilities, as these will be explored further during the selection process. AI must not be used to provide misleading or false information during any stage of the application journey.
In addition to explaining how you meet the person specification, you must complete your employment history for at least the last five years. Any experience, skills or responsibilities referenced in your supporting statement should be evidenced within your employment history. Applications that do not include sufficient employment history to support the experience claimed may not be shortlisted.
We're committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Stonewall Proud Employer, Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.
We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don't hesitate to call: Gemma West on 07789741450 or email: [email protected] who'll be delighted to help.
Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.
Person Specification
Education, qualifications or training Essential
AHP qualification degree HCPC registration
Continuous Professional Development Essential
Completion of post-graduate education relevant to clinical role of post Care Aims training
Desirable
Management or leadership training QMIS training
Previous Experience Essential
Evidence of experience in clinical work in children's services to a level of in depth knowledge and expertise Contribution to clinical supervision or mentoring less experienced staff, students or assistants Evidence of leadership, e.g. leading a project, change in practice
Desirable
Experience of organising team objectives and workplans in order to create efficient team practice
Knowledge, skills and abilities Essential
High level of knowledge of service provision within children's therapy services Ability to pass on skills/knowledge to others within both formal and informal environments Understanding of data in performance monitoring and delivery of services Efficient, effective and diplomatic communication skills both written and verbal Awareness of community working and structures Competent use of Microsoft packages, e.g. Word, Excel, Powerpoint Working knowledge of arrangements for children's health services and early help including knowledge of legislation, SEND, statutory guidance, government policy, practice guidance and best practice. Ability to self-manage workload and work using own initiative. Ability to identify and use outcome measures to inform performance and productivity
Desirable
Awareness of budget management
Additional Requirements Essential
Car driver with access to own car and ability to travel to multiple sites
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.
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 Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust
Address CYPIT West Berkshire, Erlegh House, University of Reading, Earley Gate, Whiteknights Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 6BZ
Whiteknights Road
Reading
RG6 6BZ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)