Job summary
Join us as an Advanced Neonatal Speech and Language Therapist and play a pivotal role at the very start of a child's life. Working across Basildon and Southend Hospitals, you will be the specialist voice for feeding, communication and neurodevelopment within a highly skilled neonatal multidisciplinary team, supporting babies with complex needs and their families through some of their most challenging moments.

You will be part of a well-led, dynamic and friendly MSE wide Children's Therapies team, working alongside dietitians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and therapy assistants, all committed to integrated working, excellent patient care and a positive team culture.

This role is ideal for a motivated, compassionate clinician with neonatal or paediatric dysphagia skills, who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is confident working autonomously while influencing MDT practice. In return, you will have the opportunity to shape and develop a specialist service, drive innovation, and make a lasting difference to outcomes for our most vulnerable patients and their families.

If you are interested in this role and believe you have the skills and qualities we are looking for, we would love to hear from you.

**Intended start date: January 2027**

Main duties of the job
You will deliver highly specialist speech and language therapy to neonates across Basildon and Southend Hospitals, providing assessment, diagnosis and management of feeding, swallowing and early communication needs.

Working as an integral member of the neonatal multidisciplinary team, you will:

• Influence care pathways and feeding practices
• Support safe feeding progression and neurodevelopment
• Contribute to discharge planning
• Provide training and guidance to staff and families

You will work autonomously to manage a complex caseload, ensuring care is evidence-based and aligned with best practice. You will also play a key role in service development, audit and quality improvement, helping to shape a high-quality, integrated neonatal therapy service.

We are looking for a clinician who brings:

• Advanced skills in neonatal and or paediatric dysphagia and complex feeding
• Strong clinical reasoning and ability to work autonomously
• Excellent communication skills, particularly with families in sensitive situations
• Confidence to influence MDT practice and deliver teaching
• A proactive, collaborative approach with a passion for improving outcomes

About us
Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well-being of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.

Details
Date posted: 14 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 a year
Per Annum (Pro Rata for Part Time)
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 390-CSS-BA-3877
Job locations: Basildon, Nethermayne, Basildon, SS16 5NL, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
For more information on this varied and rewarding role, please see the attached Job Description.We look forward to your application!Please be aware that we reserve the right to close the vacancy early should a high number of applications be received.

**Intended start date: January 2027**

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree or equivalent
• RCSLT Registration
• HCPC Registration
• Master level or equivalent post graduate qualifications / evidence of post graduate learning relevant to the clinical field

Desirable

• Relevant specialist training courses e.g., FINE, NBO, IBCLC, SOFFI
• Completion of HEE Modules (Introduction to Neonatal Care and Speech Language Therapy modules)

Knowledge and Experience
Essential

• Significant experience in paediatric SLT post qualification
• Experience working with neonates and infants and/or children with complex needs
• Experience of independently managing feeding and swallowing difficulties associated with a neonatal or paediatric caseload
• Knowledge of assessment tools relevant to neonates in order to assess, diagnose, plan and treat neonates and infants with swallowing difficulties
• Experience working at Paediatric Dysphagia Competency Level C

Desirable

• Experience working in a neonatal or acute setting
• Knowledge of processes and policies relating to work in a neonatal setting e.g. safeguarding, developmental, educational needs, RCSLT guidelines etc.
• Experience working at Paediatric Dysphagia Competency Level D
• Experience working at Neonatal Dysphagia Competency Level C

Communication Skills
Essential

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills - including observation, listening and empathy skills

Personal and People Development
Essential

• Ability to recognise own training and supervision needs and use these to further enhance clinical skills

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: Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Basildon, Nethermayne, Basildon, SS16 5NL, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.mse.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Head of Children's Therapies
Claire Lam
claire.lam@nhs.net
03004433554

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.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.