Job summary
Due to the promotion of the current post holder, an opportunity has arisen to join Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD) as our Principal Clinical and Professional Lead for Speech and Language Therapy.

This is an exciting time to join CFHD as we continue to transform how we support children, young people and families across Devon and Torbay. Over the last eighteen months we have worked alongside Better Communication CIC and implemented the Balanced System approach, strengthening our graduated response and improving outcomes for children and young people. We introduced Easy Access Drop-In Clinics for pre-school children and established a Link Therapist model supporting every school across Devon and Torbay. As we continue our programme of service development, we are at the beginning of the recruitment, onboarding and implementation of Experts at Hand.

This is a senior leadership position within CFHD. The successful candidate will work in partnership with the Operation Manager to lead the Speech, Language and Communication pathway, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, safe and effective services for children, young people and families across Devon and Torbay.

Relocation expenses will be considered for this post in accordance with the existing Devon Partnership NHS Relocation Policy. A copy of the policy can be provided to interested applicants on request.

Main duties of the job
The successful applicant will play a key role in shaping the future direction of Speech and Language Therapy services, working collaboratively with colleagues across health, education, social care and the voluntary sector to deliver integrated care and improve outcomes for children and young people.

The successful candidate will be supported by the Head of Service for Nursing and Therapies as well as the Clinical Director for CFHD, the Associate Clinical Directors for Allied Health Professionals and the Experts at Hand Service Lead. Peer support will be available from the Principal Clinical and Professional Leads for Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy.

Alongside pathway leadership responsibilities, the post holder will provide professional and clinical leadership for Speech and Language Therapists working across other CFHD pathways.

We Are Looking for Someone Who:

• Is a passionate and experienced Speech and Language Therapist with highly developed clinical expertise.
• Has a proven track record of clinical and professional leadership.
• Can inspire, support and develop a diverse workforce.
• Is committed to innovation, quality improvement and evidence-based practice.
• Can build strong partnerships across health, education, social care and the wider system.
• Is passionate about improving outcomes and reducing inequalities for children and young people.
• Values co-production and the voice of children, young people and families in service design and delivery.

About us
At Children and Family Health Devon, we are dedicated to improving the physical and mental health of children and young people across Devon and Torbay. We aim to create an environment where children and young people can thrive and are committed to reducing health inequalities and providing specialised support, empowering them to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.

Our children and young people say
We would like the people who work for Children and Family Health Devon to be understanding, patient and respectful. They should be trustworthy and make us feel safe and comfortable. It is important that they use their skills and experience to listen carefully in a non-patronising and non-judgemental way. When staff are positive and friendly, they help to create an environment that is informal and without pressure.

Who we are
We are an alliance of NHS organisations led by Devon Partnership Trust. We are a group of professionals including psychologists, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, physiotherapists, nurses and many other professions.

Join us in beautiful Devon
With access to moors, sea and cities, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy Devon. Whether you enjoy spending time in the cultural hub of Exeter, exploring the Jurassic coastline or discovering the world surfing reserve in North Devon there really is something for everyone.

Job responsibilities
Full vacancy details can be found on the attached Job Description/Person Specification. Please refer to your suitability to the post in your supporting information from the role requirements or person specification.

Qualifications
Essential

• Professional qualification in Speech and Language Therapy / Occupational Therapy / Physiotherapy & current professional registration
• Post Graduate Diploma level specialist training, management qualification or equivalent and experience to master's level
• Evidence of recent, relevant CPD

Experience
Essential

• Extensive knowledge of the provision of healthcare for children, young people and families within the NHS
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, NHS policy and other national policy relating to children and young people and its implications for area of specialty
• High level knowledge of health presentations in children and young people and the practice of clinical interventions within area of specialty
• Knowledge of evidence-based practice including NICE guidelines and routine outcome monitoring relating to the designated pathway
• Knowledge of risk management and ability to monitor and assess risk and act accordingly to ensure safety within area of specialty
• Knowledge of supervision, management and leadership practice
• Understanding of the quality, governance and regulatory framework within the NHS
• Understanding of the complex multi-agency systems providing health, education and social care for children and young people
• Knowledge of service and quality improvement methodologies
• Working knowledge of legislation, regulation, policy, guidance and practice relating to safeguarding children
• Knowledge of research methodology outcome research methodology and ability to critically interpret research findings and data
• Knowledge of Information Governance standards
• Experience of working collaboratively with service users and their families/carers, clinicians, managers and leaders
• Experience of Inter-agency working with a successful track record of influencing, and maintaining good working relationships
• Experience of delivering a clinical practice within the area of specialty
• Experience of clinical leadership
• Experience of supervising others, leading teams and developing positive supervisory relationships
• Experience of integrating principles of human rights diversity and inclusion in clinical and leadership practice
• Experience of managing recruitment processes including staff appraisals, performance and sickness management, investigations, recruitment processes
• Experience in providing effective supervision, teaching, training to professionals within own and partner agencies
• Experience of safeguarding children and ensuring the safety of young people in partnership with other agencies as appropriate
• Experience of using data to improve services
• Experience of initiating, organising and chairing inter-agency meetings including those related to complex clinical matters
• Experience of managing complaints, incidents, risks
• Experience of operational and / or clinical management of clinical teams in health or social care
• Experience of budgetary responsibility and effective financial management
• Experience in leadership in planning and implementing service improvement / development and change within a clinical setting
• Management of service user participation and involvement in services and implementation of service change as a result of feedback
• Experience of developing and implementing policies and strategies
• Experience of collaborative leadership and staff engagement
• Working effectively within the local and national political environment

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: Devon Partnership NHS Trust
Address: Children & Family Health Devon, Unit 1, Capital Court, Bittern Road, Sowton Industrial Estate, EXETER, EX2 7FW, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.dpt.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Head of Nursing and Therapies, Sarah Davies, s.davies71@nhs.net

Details
Date posted: 18 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8a
Salary: £57,528 to £64,750 a year pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number: C9369-26-0707
Job locations: Children & Family Health Devon, Unit 1, Capital Court, Bittern Road, Sowton Industrial Estate, EXETER, EX2 7FW, United Kingdom; Children & Family Health, Lescaze Offices, Shinners Bridge, Dartington, TOTNES, Devon, TQ9 6JD, United Kingdom; Children & Family Health Devon, Springfield Court, Fishleigh Road, Roundswell Business Park, BARNSTAPLE, Devon, EX31 3UD, United Kingdom; South Devon Healthcare, Torbay Hospital Annexe, 187 Newton Road, TORQUAY, TQ2 7BA, United Kingdom

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.
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).
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).