Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, motivated and well-organised Speech and Language Therapist to join our Children's SLT Service in County Durham. You will be part of a supportive and experienced team of SLTs, Assistant Practitioners and dedicated administrative staff. Working within a locality team, you will manage a varied caseload of children and young people, with access to support and supervision from Clinical Leads and Specialist Therapists as required. This post is suited to a newly qualified practitioner, providing an excellent foundation for a career in children's speech and language therapy. We offer excellent CPD, regular supervision, peer support and opportunities to develop specialist skills. In April 2025, Children's Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy services came together to form a wider Children's Therapies Service within County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust. This is an exciting time to join the team as we move towards an integrated therapies service.

If you are passionate about making a difference and developing your career within a supportive and forward-thinking team, we would love to hear from you!

Main duties of the job
To provide speech and language therapy services to children and young people with a range of different speech, language and communication needs.

To be an active member of the local multi-disciplinary team and work closely with the Childrens Therapy team to ensure continued development of the service.

The post holder will need to be proactive, flexible and responsive to the changing needs and demands of the organisation and will support the smooth running of the service.

Work within a designated locality team

As a key member of the team you will be passionate about improving health outcomes for children and young people, and will work closely with health colleagues, partner agencies, parents and carers. You will be an excellent communicator and enjoy working both independently and as part of a team in different settings.

Work within a range of community venues including homes, clinics and education settings

Job responsibilities

• Generate appropriate strategies to manage an individual caseload including the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and discharge of a diverse range of clients with a broad range of communication, eating and drinking difficulties with supervision, support and guidance from senior clinicians.
• Design and select appropriate means of assessment, analyse assessment data, make appropriate clinical decisions and define a differential diagnosis regarding level of client functioning, with guidance from clinical supervisors as required.
• Structure and implement evidence-based, individually tailored intervention programmes for children/young people, families and other professionals based on current understanding of best practice guidelines with support and guidance from senior clinicians.
• Identify the need for second opinions in discussion with senior clinicians.
• Ensure clients are involved in the planning and prioritisation of their care plans wherever possible.
• To adapt practice to meet individual patient circumstances including regard for cultural and linguistic differences.
• Maintain contemporaneous clinical records, gather data, provide reports, share information and give advice and recommendations to the child/young person, carers and other involved professionals about the child/young persons abilities and needs in line with professional standards, local Trust policies and data protection guidelines
• Continually evaluate the effectiveness of care protocols and packages of care, audit and implement changes as appropriate in conjunction with lead clinician/line manager
• Evaluate the effects of the communication difficulty on the psychological health of the client.
• Undertaking all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner.
• Liaising with parents/carers, multi-disciplinary/multi-agency teams, in the assessment, reporting and treatment programming, ensuring a holistic approach.
• Contributing to and actively participating in, In-Service training, supervision, C.P.D. and appraisal.
• Independently supervise the work of speech and language therapy assistants with a range of clients across acute and community settings, including providing advice and guidance on carrying out therapy strategies, with guidance from senior clinicians

Person Specification
Special Requirements
Essential

• Driving posts must have valid Full UK driving licence

Special Skills and Knowledge
Essential

• Ability to analyse and make informed judgements required for the assessment of clients and selection of appropriate management strategies.
• Able to demonstrate high-level problem-solving skills.
• Flexibility able to cope with different work environments.
• Positive attitude to new challenges.
• Knowledge of current national drivers and clinical guidelines, relating to children with speech, language and communication difficulties.
• Ability to demonstrate high level written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to be assertive in relationships with other professionals, clients and carers

Desirable

• Skills in making formal presentations

Statutory Registration
Essential

• HCPC registered

Desirable

• Member of RCSLT

Experience
Essential

• Experience of working as a SLT
• Experience working in partnership with children and parents
• Experience of working in a range of environments, including schools
• Ability to manage own time, prioritise tasks and to work independently

Desirable

• Experience of working in a range of environments, including mainstream schools
• Experience of working as a member of a multi-disciplinary team

Qualifications
Essential

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Speech and Language Therapy
• Certificate to practise as a Speech and Language Therapist

Desirable

• Evidence of post graduate study relevant to the post
• Evidence of achieving clinical autonomy

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.

Employer details
Employer name: County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Willington Childrens Centre, Chapel Street, Willington, CROOK, County Durham, DL15 0EQ, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/

For questions about the job, contact:
Speech and Language Therapy Operational Lead: Gayle Sumby, Gayle.sumby@nhs.net

Apply through our website.