Job summary
We are seeking an enthusiastic, experienced and highly motivated Band 7 Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join our Children's Therapy Service in Merton, leading the provision for children and young people with Eating, Drinking and Swallowing (EDS) difficulties.

This is an exciting opportunity for a clinician with a passion for improving outcomes for children with complex feeding and swallowing needs. The successful candidate will provide specialist assessment, diagnosis and intervention for children and young people with a range of developmental, neurological and complex health conditions, working across community, clinic, education and home settings.

As the Eating and Drinking Lead, you will play a key role in service development, quality improvement and the implementation of evidence-based practice. You will work collaboratively with multidisciplinary colleagues, families, education settings and health partners to ensure safe, effective and person-centred care.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a highly specialist caseload of children and young people presenting with eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties.
• Undertake complex clinical swallowing assessments and develop appropriate management plans.
• Lead on the development and review of EDS pathways, policies and clinical guidance.
• Provide expert advice and consultation to families, education staff and multidisciplinary colleagues.
• Deliver training and competency programmes to health, education and care professionals.
• Contribute to service development, clinical governance, audit and quality improvement initiatives.
• Supervise and support junior staff, students and support workers as appropriate.
• Work closely with paediatricians, dietitians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, specialist nurses, schools and other stakeholders to deliver integrated care.

About us
We are proud to be one of the largest community healthcare providers in the country, with more than 4,500 colleagues caring for over four million people across London and Hertfordshire. Every day, our teams bring their skill, compassion, and determination to the people who depend on us.

What inspires us is at the heart of who we are: when we work together, we can help people move forward in ways that truly matter. Our teams support children as they take their first steps in life, and they stand beside adults as they rebuild strength, confidence, and independence. From newborn health visiting to community nursing, stroke rehabilitation, and palliative care, we are there for people through some of life's most important moments.

Joining Central London Community Healthcare means becoming part of a community that lifts each other up. It means working in an organisation that values compassion, welcomes new ideas, and believes in the potential of every colleague. Your development matters here. Your wellbeing matters. Your voice helps shape the future of the care we provide.

We offer a competitive employment package because the work you do matters. At Central London Community Healthcare, you will join an inclusive organisation that invests in its people, supports development, and helps you thrive while delivering high-quality care.

Details
Date posted: 03 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £55,524 to £62,652 a year per annum, inclusive of HCAS
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number: 824-SOUTH-8125268
Job locations: Merton Birches Polyclinic, 4 Birches Close, Mitcham, CR4 4LQ, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
Successful applicants will be required to demonstrate alignment with the Trusts values & the behaviours aligned to those values - Accountability, Inclusion, Compassion, and Empowerment, alongside fulfilling the duties detailed in the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Recognised SLT degree or equivalent
• Current AHP with UK HCPC registration
• Evidence of competence in managing complex dysphagic patients in the 0-19 age group including those requiring enteral feeding

Desirable

• Evidence of relevant post-registration education and training e.g. SCERTS, VERVE, Intensive Interaction, Attention Autism, Hanen, Gestalt Language Processing, AAC, Dysphagia, Infant Feeding, Breastfeeding, Tracheostomy

Experience
Essential

• Extensive experience of working in a variety of clinical settings
• Experience of working and liaising with other MDT professionals
• Recent experience within community SLT setting, specialising in complex needs and dysphagia in a paediatric population
• Ability to understand complex issues, problem solve and propose solutions.
• Able to communicate with families and young people in an empathetic manner regarding their treatment and procedures
• Experience of supervising/ managing junior staff and students
• Experience working with families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
• Experience in the assessment and management of patients who require AAC
• Participation in audit; research projects; service development

Desirable

• Experience of working within a community paediatric SLT service.
• Experience of working through the RCSLT NQP and dysphagia frameworks with junior SLTs

Skills
Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills including observation, listening and empathy skills.
• Highly specialist knowledge of a wide range of appropriate therapeutic interventions and evidence of a specialist level of clinical expertise in relevant areas.
• Independence in managing dysphagia within a paediatric population.
• Experience in using a range of assessment techniques for managing patients with dysphagia and complex needs.
• In-depth knowledge of principles of clinical governance and audit.
• Ability to use IT including PowerPoint, Excel, Word
• Excellent presentation skills, both written and verbal.
• Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Highly developed negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• Good analytical & organisational ability
• Ability to identify and assess the potential risks involved in work activities and processes for self and others.
• Ability to deputise for service lead as required.
• Ability to listen effectively and provide constructive feedback to families and colleagues.
• Awareness of the management and use of data in the NHS setting
• Ability to identify and assess the potential risks involved in work activities and processes for self and others.

Desirable

• Postgraduate research in a relevant area.
• Completion of CPD related to dysphagia management

Key attributes
Essential

• Ability to work in a team and be a proactive member and able to engage in change process in the team.
• Ability to self-organise, prioritise and delegate effectively.
• Ability to motivate others.
• Flexible work ethic
• Ability to assume leadership responsibilities.
• Ability to address sensitive issues e.g. complex condition-related information to families/carers.

Desirable

• Able to demonstrate initiative and innovative approaches towards work.
• Hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010) or be able to travel around independently using public transport or another mode or transport

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: Central London Community Health Trust
Address: Merton Birches Polyclinic, 4 Birches Close, Mitcham, CR4 4LQ, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://clch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

For questions about the job, contact:
locality Lead Merton ICN
Sheena Rufus
sheena.rufus@nhs.net
07776053505