About this role
Job summary
The Adult Speech and Language Therapy service is an integral part of the Therapies Clinical Service Unit. The post holder will work in partnership with the Therapies Clinical Leads and be accountable to the Head of Therapies to lead the service and deliver departmental and Trust objectives. We are looking for someone to continue the good leadership over the 12 months that the current service manager is on maternity leave. To continue to grow and develop the service to: - -
- Improve the access, responsiveness and quality of speech and language therapy services across all clinical areas
- Advance the level of innovation and quality within tertiary service specialty areas, such as neuroscience, head and neck, and major trauma services
- Build a comprehensive training and career progression programme for students, support workers and qualified staff to become the employer of choice for speech and language therapists
The successful candidate will be responsible for the service management and performance of adult Speech & Language Therapy Services within Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be responsible for the service management of the Acute Adult Speech & Language Therapy Service at Oxford University Hospitals Trust.
They will work in partnership with the head of therapies and therapies clinical leads and be accountable for the delivery of high quality, safe and effective speech and language therapy services.
They will be required to work collaboratively with the community S< Clinical Leads to ensure a seamless and integrated pathway across the county of Oxfordshire and beyond.
The post holder will hold a key responsibility for budget management, quality assurance, governance, people management and development, and ensuring that S< is critical in contributing to the CSU and Trusts objectives.
In addition, the post holder will deliver direct clinical care working in an area which supports their clinical competencies and the service need, offering enhanced skill and knowledge to those within that specialist area.
About us
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and most respected NHS teaching trusts, providing world-class healthcare across four hospitals: the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre and Horton General Hospital and over one hundred satellite sites. Find out more information here OUH at a Glance 2026/27
You'll become part of an organisation at the forefront of patient care, research, education and innovation. You'll have access to excellent learning and development opportunities, work alongside highly skilled multidisciplinary teams, and contribute to services that make a real difference.
Our commitment toDelivering Compassionate Excellence is at the heart of everything we do. Guided by our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence, we strive to create an environment where staff feel supported, valued and empowered to thrive. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel and the OneTeamOneOUH - LIVING OUR VALUES video.
We are committed to creating an inclusive, respectful and safe workplace for everyone. As signatories to the NHS Sexual Safety Charter, we have a zero-tolerance approach to inappropriate behaviour and are dedicated to fostering a culture where all colleagues feel welcomed, respected and able to be themselves. We pledge zero tolerance for inappropriate sexual behaviour and commit to theten core principles.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Summary of main duties and responsibilities
Professionally lead and operationally manage the Adult Speech and Language Therapy service. This includes line management of the clinical team leads and the staff who support them. Work in partnership with the Head of Therapies and other professional leads across the OUHFT Trust.
Be responsible for the overall service delivery for Acute Adult Speech and Language Therapy.
Ensure that the service to patients is effective and efficiently managed through the implementation of clinical governance programmes with regular monitoring and evaluation, and clearly demonstrated through agreed KPI and Data platforms.
Ensure effective partnership working across Trusts and agencies supporting the development of a countywide vision for Speech and Language therapy services.
Work within a delegated budget as dictated by the Head of Therapies.
Have a specialist advisory role for the Trust in this clinical area, attending forums as appropriate ensuring that the voice of Acute ASLT is recognised within the Trust.
Ensure that a good standard of undergraduate education for student Speech and Language Therapists is offered within the service.
Contribute to the development and implementation of Trust wide policies and practice, ensuring that best Speech and Language therapy practice supports integrated clinical care.
Ensure that there are clear lines of responsibility and accountability through the service, supporting the Trust business reputation at all times.
Responsible for recruitment and selection for staff that report within the service in accordance with the policy and guidance from Human Resources.
Work within the professional scope and guidance as dictated by the Royal College of Speech and Language therapists and to support the service to do the same.
Use highly specialist clinical skills to manage a specialist caseload of adults to identify, assess and manage communication/swallowing impairments and select appropriate patients and type of therapy for effective treatment
Please refer to the attached Job Pack for the full contents of the job description
Person Specification
Qualifications, skills, experience
Essential
- Speech & Language Therapy Degree qualification or equivalent HCPC registration as a Speech Therapist MSc in relevant clinical discipline or leadership or equivalent experience Has advance knowledge and skill in delivering evidence-based, person-centred therapeutic S< interventions. Considerable experience managing people and performance Evidence of significant experience of working within adult speech & language therapy services in the acute setting.
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
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address
John Radcliffe Hospital
Oxford
OX3 9DL
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)