Job summary We have an exciting opportunity for a Speech and Language Therapist with highly specialist skills to work with preschool children and their families across our community settings. You will join a diverse and highly skilled team of therapists working in community settings with 0-19s. As an SLT you will work alongside Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists and have strong links with professionals in health, education and other community services. The post holder will be an autonomous practitioner, providing a highly specialist Speech and Language Therapy service primarily to children aged 0-5. The post holder will work with children with a range of speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) and Special Educational Needs (SEN) in clinic and Harrow pre-school settings. A significant proportion of these children will have languages other than English. Main duties of the job The post holder will be expected to manage their own caseload, and work alongside medical and community colleagues to ensure the communication needs are managed appropriately and that highly specialist therapy programmes and education plans are in place for the children in home/pre-school settings. The post holder will have a key role in advising, supporting and supervising other SLTs working with children with autism/neurodiversity/social communication differences. They will be expected to work collaboratively with children/young people (CYP), parents/carers and with MDT colleagues including within health, education or social services in the planning and delivery of services to these specific client groups. The post holder will contribute to departmental meetings, and lead audit and projects within the specialist area. They will be responsible for planning and delivering highly specialist training to other SLTs, professionals and parents/carers on all aspects of speech, language and communication. They will provide clinical education and training to Speech and Language Therapy students and provide clinical supervision to Speech and Language Therapy Assistants (SLTAs) and Speech and Language Therapy Associate Practitioners (SLTAPs) and SLTs developing specialist skills. About us We are: CNWL's Team of the Year 2023-24. A large supportive, sociable and friendly MDT team of over 35 Paediatric Therapists. Committed to the well-being of our staff. Easily accessible via public transport from central London and neighbouring Counties. Providing services to both community and acute settings. We can provide: A warm welcome. Flexible working. Highly structured induction. Excellent levels of support and supervision which includes regular clinical and management supervision every 8 weeks and an annual appraisal. Termly peer supervision meetings where you can discuss cases, read articles together and share your experiences. Clearly defined caseloads. A wide range of opportunities for continuing professional development. Easy access to clinical specialists in all clinical areas. Designated admin and planning time. Involvement in innovative project work in acute and community settings. Memberships at relevant CENs are supported and encouraged. Date posted 27 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 7 Salary £51,883 to £58,544 a year per annum incl HCAS (pro rata if P/T) Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 333-G-HCS-1123 Job locations Alexandra Avenue Health & Social Care Centre Primary Care Hub 275 Alexandra Avenue Harrow HA2 9DX Job description Job responsibilities To communicate highly complex patient related information effectively to ensure collaborative working with multidisciplinary team members across health, education and social services and the voluntary sector. In particular to work with education staff to ensure the use of communication systems and strategies to ensure the delivery of a well-co-ordinated care/individual education plan which facilitates the development of communications skills. To share information with others, observing confidentiality and data protection guidelines and having due regard for local guidance on sharing information with colleagues in Health, Education, Social Services, the multi-disciplinary team and with the therapy service in the childs local area. To communicate highly complex condition related information (both verbally and in the written form) from assessment to CYP, parents/carers, and members of the multi-disciplinary team/other professions. This includes child specific information as well as training packages to education staff around the management of SLCN, including the use of alternative and augmentative communication systems. To have due regard for the cultural and linguistic differences of children/families concerned. To work closely with CYP, carers and families, involving them in decision-making regarding intervention approaches, demonstrating and ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where barriers to understanding exist (i.e. hearing loss, communication difficulties, languages other than English and learning difficulties). This may involve use of signing, symbol systems, voice output communication aids and interpreters. To employ excellent communication skills such as persuasion, motivation and explanations to encourage clients and carers to undertake treatment programmes. To demonstrate established negotiation skills in the management of conflict across a range of situations. To deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible and report to senior staff. To form productive relationships with others in particular parents/carers who may be under stress and/or have challenging communication difficulties. To write clinical reports as per departmental standards reflecting highly specialist knowledge To provide written advice for statutory assessment of special educational needs describing the impact of SLCN within the childs learning environment. Job description Job responsibilities To communicate highly complex patient related information effectively to ensure collaborative working with multidisciplinary team members across health, education and social services and the voluntary sector. In particular to work with education staff to ensure the use of communication systems and strategies to ensure the delivery of a well-co-ordinated care/individual education plan which facilitates the development of communications skills. To share information with others, observing confidentiality and data protection guidelines and having due regard for local guidance on sharing information with colleagues in Health, Education, Social Services, the multi-disciplinary team and with the therapy service in the childs local area. To communicate highly complex condition related information (both verbally and in the written form) from assessment to CYP, parents/carers, and members of the multi-disciplinary team/other professions. This includes child specific information as well as training packages to education staff around the management of SLCN, including the use of alternative and augmentative communication systems. To have due regard for the cultural and linguistic differences of children/families concerned. To work closely with CYP, carers and families, involving them in decision-making regarding intervention approaches, demonstrating and ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where barriers to understanding exist (i.e. hearing loss, communication difficulties, languages other than English and learning difficulties). This may involve use of signing, symbol systems, voice output communication aids and interpreters. To employ excellent communication skills such as persuasion, motivation and explanations to encourage clients and carers to undertake treatment programmes. To demonstrate established negotiation skills in the management of conflict across a range of situations. To deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible and report to senior staff. To form productive relationships with others in particular parents/carers who may be under stress and/or have challenging communication difficulties. To write clinical reports as per departmental standards reflecting highly specialist knowledge To provide written advice for statutory assessment of special educational needs describing the impact of SLCN within the childs learning environment. Person Specification Training and Qualifications Essential Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent Health Professions Council registration - Licence to Practice Evidence of completion of specialist short courses relevant to children with complex communication difficulties/autism Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists. Membership of relevant CEN groups Experience Essential Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team Extensive post graduate experience of: o Assessment, treatment and management of children with social communication differences/autism, Experience of: o Writing advice for children with EHCPs o Managing own caseload o Teaching other professionals/parents o Clinical audits o Clinical supervision of SLTs and SLTAs o Teaching and supervising SLT students o Lead audit/research projects Desirable Supervision training Quality improvement training Knowledge and Skills Essential Well-established knowledge of assessment tools relevant to CYP and speech, language and communication. Well-established knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions relevant to the above client group including alternative/augmentative communication systems available to CYP. Good negotiation skills and problem solving skills Working knowledge of the roles: o of other professionals in the multidisciplinary team involved with the pre-school caseload. Understanding of differences of working with non English-speaking service users and those from diverse cultures Established knowledge of national policies and procedures, in particular safeguarding children, SEN and Disability Act for children, the Children and Families Act 2014 and foundation stage and National Curriculum. Desirable Well-established knowledge of assessment tools relevant to CYP with eating/drinking difficulties. Person Specification Training and Qualifications Essential Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent Health Professions Council registration - Licence to Practice Evidence of completion of specialist short courses relevant to children with complex communication difficulties/autism Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists. Membership of relevant CEN groups Experience Essential Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team Extensive post graduate experience of: o Assessment, treatment and management of children with social communication differences/autism, Experience of: o Writing advice for children with EHCPs o Managing own caseload o Teaching other professionals/parents o Clinical audits o Clinical supervision of SLTs and SLTAs o Teaching and supervising SLT students o Lead audit/research projects Desirable Supervision training Quality improvement training Knowledge and Skills Essential Well-established knowledge of assessment tools relevant to CYP and speech, language and communication. Well-established knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions relevant to the above client group including alternative/augmentative communication systems available to CYP. Good negotiation skills and problem solving skills Working knowledge of the roles: o of other professionals in the multidisciplinary team involved with the pre-school caseload. Understanding of differences of working with non English-speaking service users and those from diverse cultures Established knowledge of national policies and procedures, in particular safeguarding children, SEN and Disability Act for children, the Children and Families Act 2014 and foundation stage and National Curriculum. Desirable Well-established knowledge of assessment tools relevant to CYP with eating/drinking difficulties. 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). Additional information 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 Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust Address Alexandra Avenue Health & Social Care Centre Primary Care Hub 275 Alexandra Avenue Harrow HA2 9DX Employer's website https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/work (Opens in a new tab)