Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated B6 Specialist Speech and Language Therapist within Children's Speech and Language Therapy.

The successful applicant will work with both pre school children and school age children across our Early Years and MIST caseloads but may also develop their experiences in other areas in line with the changing needs of the service.

Main duties of the job

• To provide a specialist service (including assessment, diagnosis and implementation of specialist SLT treatment) for children with a range of speech, language and communication disorders/difficulties, some that may be associated with wider complex/additional needs
• To contribute to Team working in the area of paediatric dysphagia (if appropriate training completed)
• To Liaise with and advise School and Nursery staff and other Agencies/professionals involved with children
• To provide written reports and specialist speech, language and communication programmes of advice for parents, schools and supporting professionals

About us
Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead.

Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients.

We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region.

Our values should be the 'golden thread' which runs through everything we do - they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronym ICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement.

We have a number of staff networks including the Global Ethnic Majority (GEM) network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women's Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our Armed Forces network is one of our emerging networks.

The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our 'Balance' programme balancegateshead.com to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.

Details
Date posted: 15 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 297-8327076
Job locations: Bensham Hospital, Fontwell Drive, Gateshead, NE8 4YL, United Kingdom

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Degree or equivalent in Speech and Language Therapy
• HCPC Registration
• Evidence of relevant CPD in SLCN interventions/theory preferably within a specific area of interest

Desirable

• RCSLT Membership
• Post Graduate Certificate in Paediatric Dysphagia

Experience
Essential

• Experience of working with children with the full range of SLC difficulties
• Experience of delivering a range of therapy interventions with a paediatric SLCN caseload
• Experience of working in across a range of setting e.g schools, nurseries, patient homes
• Knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice
• Experience of MDT working

Desirable

• Experience of working with paediatric dysphagia or a willingness to achieve accreditation in this area
• Experience of using alternate methods of communication e.g. symbol communication, Makaton

Skills and Attributes
Essential

• Excellent communication skills in all modalities
• Ability to work individually and as part of a Team
• Core Values: Candidates must have a willingness and be able to demonstrate the ability to work to the Trust core values
• Organisational Skills including well developed Time Management Skills
• IT Skills

Desirable

• Evidence of ability to plan and co-ordinate the work of others

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: Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Bensham Hospital, Fontwell Drive, Gateshead, NE8 4YL, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.qegateshead.nhs.uk

For questions about the job, contact:
Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist, Michelle Newton, michelle.newton6@nhs.net, 01914456667

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