Speech and Language Therapist Advanced

You will work closely with the Principal Speech and Language Therapist, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Educational Psychologists, Paediatricians and CAMHS colleagues, using advanced clinical expertise to assess autism and complex communication needs. The role includes supporting care pathway and clinical protocol development, delivering specialist training and supervision, and championing neuro-affirming and inclusive communication practices. We are undertaking a major redesign of our neurodevelopmental pathways to reduce waiting times and improve patient experience. We are seeking warm, empathetic, clinically confident and equity-minded SLTs with significant experience working with children with autism and complex communication needs. You will join a supportive team that values innovation and professional growth. The role includes training in gold-standard autism assessment tools, including ADOS and ADI-R, to support confident contribution to multidisciplinary assessment and differential diagnosis. If you are ready to make a meaningful impact and help shape the future of our autism service, we would love to hear from you. Main duties of the job This role supports the clinical and operational leadership for the Autism Diagnostic Pathway, working closely with the Autism Clinical Pathway AHP and MDT Lead. The post holder will support the development and implementation of efficient, NICE-compliant ways of working aligned to best practice and the local ASC core offer, in partnership with medical, nursing and AHP colleagues. They will take a delegated lead in developing care pathways, service protocols and clinical guidelines, and use advanced specialist SLT expertise to contribute to differential diagnosis within the MDT. The role involves independent assessment, diagnosis and management of children and young people with complex speech, language and social communication needs, providing second opinions where required, and ensuring care is integrated, evidence-based and population-responsive. The post holder will also provide supervision and deliver specialist training to support pathway quality and sustainability. About us Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:

• Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
• Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
• Improving the experience of staff with disability
• Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
• Making equalities mainstream
  
  Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree or equivalent
• Master's degree or successful completion of post graduate study or equivalent specialist advanced short course relevant to specialist area
• Health and Care Professions Council - Licence to Practice
• Registered as a member of The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Leadership and/or supervisory training
Desirable
• Membership of relevant Clinical Excellence Networks (CENs)
Experience Essential
• Significant post-qualification experience working with children with a wide range of speech, language and communication difficulties
• Significant experience of working with children with autism and related including referral for autism assessment
• Experience of working with families and engaging them in interventions
• Experience of multiagency and multidisciplinary collaboration and/or working
• Ability to work autonomously and as a member of a multi-professional team
• Experience of advising/providing second opinions for children with complex speech, language or communication difficulties
• Experience of developing and delivering training for others
• Experience of supervising staff
• Experience of service development
• Experience in Practice Guideline Development
• Audit and Research Experience
• Evidence of clinical leadership qualities
• Ability to prioritise and organise workload
• Ability to work autonomously and as a member of a multi-professional team
• Evidence of using primary and secondary healthcare teams and resources
• Ability to clinically lead and direct staff
• Experience in patient advocacy
Desirable
• Experience of diagnosing and/or contributing to diagnosis of autism
• Experience of methods of involving children/young people and service users in service development
• Experience of taking part in appraising and setting objectives for less experienced staff
• Experience of writing/guidelines protocols/standing operating procedures/or policies
• Experience of conducting and writing an audit
• Presentation and publishing experience
• Caseload management
• Leading a service, Understanding of National Service Frameworks and NICE guidance relevant to client group/care setting and its application across healthcare and educational settings
• Extensive knowledge of a broad range of assessment and diagnostic tools relevant to the specialist clinical area
• Comprehensive understanding of various service delivery models relevant to the specialist clinical field, with the capability to critically evaluate and compare respective advantages
• Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance, audit and research
• Understanding of the wider NHS agenda and how this influences provision of children and young people's health services/
Desirable
• Change management
• Statistics and report writing, Committed to collaborative working
• Able to communicate complex or sensitive information clearly, effectively, empathetically, and with consideration for neurodivergence
• Negotiating and influencing skills, with the ability to work in partnership with senior colleagues in other disciplines, areas, agencies and ability to facilitate these skills in other
• Analytical and reflection skills
Person Specification Qualifications and Experience Essential
• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree or equivalent
• Master's degree or successful completion of post graduate study or equivalent specialist advanced short course relevant to specialist area
• Health and Care Professions Council - Licence to Practice
• Registered as a member of The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Leadership and/or supervisory training
Desirable
• Membership of relevant Clinical Excellence Networks (CENs)
Experience Essential
• Significant post-qualification experience working with children with a wide range of speech, language and communication difficulties
• Significant experience of working with children with autism and related including referral for autism assessment
• Experience of working with families and engaging them in interventions
• Experience of multiagency and multidisciplinary collaboration and/or working
• Ability to work autonomously and as a member of a multi-professional team
• Experience of advising/providing second opinions for children with complex speech, language or communication difficulties
• Experience of developing and delivering training for others
• Experience of supervising staff
• Experience of service development
• Experience in Practice Guideline Development
• Audit and Research Experience
• Evidence of clinical leadership qualities
• Ability to prioritise and organise workload
• Ability to work autonomously and as a member of a multi-professional team
• Evidence of using primary and secondary healthcare teams and resources
• Ability to clinically lead and direct staff
• Experience in patient advocacy
Desirable
• Experience of diagnosing and/or contributing to diagnosis of autism
• Experience of methods of involving children/young people and service users in service development
• Experience of taking part in appraising and setting objectives for less experienced staff
• Experience of writing/guidelines protocols/standing operating procedures/or policies
• Experience of conducting and writing an audit
• Presentation and publishing experience
• Caseload management
• Leading a service, Committed to collaborative working
• Able to communicate complex or sensitive information clearly, effectively, empathetically, and with consideration for neurodivergence
• Negotiating and influencing skills, with the ability to work in partnership with senior colleagues in other disciplines, areas, agencies and ability to facilitate these skills in other
• Analytical and reflection skills