Job summaryWe are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Speech and Language Therapist to join our large, friendly and innovative paediatric Speech and Language Therapy team. We can offer the opportunity to work alongside a diverse range of skilled clinicians and support staff across a well-established service. We place equal importance on delivering excellent outcomes for children and young people and ensuring the wellbeing, development and support of our workforce.
As a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist you will provide assessment, diagnosis and treatment for children with complex communication disorders. This includes children across a range of settings (e.g., mainstream schools, special schools, designated provisions), but in particularly pre-school age children known to our Child Development Centre (CDC). You will work closely with a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist within this role.
Main duties of the jobThe postholder will provide specialist assessment, diagnosis and intervention for children and young people with speech, language and communication needs, in particularly those with complex developmental needs. They will manage an independent paediatric caseload, develop and evaluate evidence-based therapy programmes, and work closely with families, education staff and multidisciplinary teams to achieve positive outcomes.
The role includes providing advice, training and support to parents, carers and professionals, producing clinical reports and contributing to statutory processes such as Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). The postholder will use advanced clinical reasoning to inform decision-making, communicate complex and sensitive information effectively, and ensure care is child-centred and tailored to individual needs.
The postholder will contribute to service development, clinical governance, audit and quality improvement activities, while maintaining accurate records and complying with professional, safeguarding and information governance requirements. They will also support the development of colleagues, students and support staff through supervision, training and mentorship, and maintain their own continuing professional development in line with HCPC and RCSLT standards.
About usFlexible working will be considered for all roles.
North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust (NCM) serves more than one million residents across the Halton and Warrington boroughs and the wider North West region.
Bringing together community and out-of-hospital services (formerly provided by Bridgewater Community Healthcare) with inpatient and elective care (formerly Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals) we provide services at two hospital sites and more than 70 community hubs and facilities.
Our mission, vision and values are at the heart of North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust (NCM).
They underpin everything we do and everything we aspire to be as an organisation.
Our mission
We will be exceptional for our patients, our communities and each other
Our vision
We will be a great organisation providing excellent healthcare and opportunities to work and learn
Our values
- Kind: We are caring, supportive and respectful to everyone
- Open: We are honest, transparent and open to new ways of working
- Fair: We listen, value our differences and are inclusive to all
- One team: We work well together and with our communities
DetailsDate posted05 August 2026
Pay schemeAgenda for change
BandBand 6
Salary£39,959 to £48,117 a year
ContractPermanent
Working patternPart-time,
Flexible working
Reference numberC9835-WA26-087
Job locationsHealth Services at Wolves
Halliwell Jones Stadium
Martin Dawes Stand, Winwick Road
Warrington
Cheshire
WA2 7NE
United Kingdom
Job descriptionJob responsibilitiesAs a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist you will provide assessment, diagnosis and treatment for children with complex communication disorders. This includes children across a range of settings (e.g., mainstream schools, special schools, designated provisions), but particularly pre-school age children known to our Child Development Centre (CDC).
Duties and ResponsibilitiesClinical Skills- To assess and diagnose children with communication disorders, including those with special needs. May be required to take a lead role in the day to day running of a community caseload and/or mainstream schools and support a Highly Specialist SLT working with children with complex needs at the Child Development Centre.
- To develop and implement Speech and Language Therapy programmes for school staff and parents to implement and to evaluate outcomes for children with communication difficulties.
- To take clinical responsibility for a varied paediatric caseload of differing complexities and to organise this effectively regarding clinical priorities and use of time.
- To ensure that clients are involved in the planning and prioritisation of their treatment plans wherever possible.
- To provide advice and coaching to others regarding the management and care of clients with communication difficulties
- To provide advice and coaching to others regarding the management and care of clients with communication difficulties through case discussions, joint intervention and assessment and therapy programmes as appropriate
- To demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence-based practice and outcome measures
- To produce reports regarding clients needs and summarising proposed treatment plans
- To contribute to legal documents such as Education Health & Care Plans, Individual Education Plans and Annual Reviews
- To adapt practice to meet individual clients circumstances, including due regard for cultural and linguistic differences
- To maintain up to date and accurate case notes in line with RCSLT professional standards and local trust policies
- To share information with clients, carers and other professionals, observing data protection guidelines
- To contribute to multi and uni-disciplinary teams to ensure a client focused approach to treatment
- To communicate complex information from assessment and treatment to clients, carers and other professionals
- To communicate effectively with the child or young person and their carers to maximise treatment potential and ensure understanding of their condition. Addressing physical, psychological and emotional barriers to effective communication will be regularly required.
- To work closely with clients, carers and other professionals to negotiate and agree client management
- To demonstrate empathy with clients, carers and colleagues, ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where significant barriers to understanding exist
- To respond sensitively at all times particularly when imparting potentially distressing information regarding the nature of the clinical difficulties and their implications
- To demonstrate skills in motivating clients, carers and other professionals to engage in the therapeutic process
- To demonstrate negotiation skills in the management of conflict across a range of situations
- To deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible, in line with North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust policy
- To foster productive relationships with others who have challenging communication difficulties and may be under stress
- To employ excellent communication skills
- To identify appropriate strategies to facilitate and enhance the effectiveness of communication, both verbal, non- verbal and environmental
- To assess and advise on optimising the clients communicative environment, taking into consideration the communication skills of carers and other professionals
- To assess the capacity of the child or young person to give valid, informed consent. To be able to work within a legal framework with children and parents for consent to treatment.
Teaching Skills- To participate in the development and delivery of training/coaching to others with and without support.
- To demonstrate the ability to target training appropriately to the needs of course participants.
- To demonstrate the ability to reflect on and evaluate training provided
Please see attached full Job Description and Person Specification.
Person SpecificationRight to WorkEssential- Do you currently have the unrestricted right to work in the UK?
- If appointed, will you require sponsorship under a UK work visa route (now or in the future)?
- Please note that sponsorship is not available for all roles. Sponsorship will only be considered where the post meets the relevant UK immigration requirements and where the organisation determines that sponsorship is appropriate for the role.
RelationshipsEssential- If you are related to a director or have a relationship with a director or employee of an appointing organisation, please state the relationship.
QualificationsEssential- Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or Equivalent
- Health Care Professions Council registration.
- RCSLT Licence to Practice
- Postgraduate training in complex communication difficulties.
- Evidence of additional training / continuing professional development around specialist area e.g. AAC
Desirable- Registered member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
- Membership of relevant Clinical Excellence Networks
Skills and KnowledgeEssential- In depth knowledge of SEND Code of Practice and National Curriculum
- Knowledge of relevant NICE guidelines.
- Excellent interpersonal skills including observation, listening and empathy skills
- Negotiation and problem solving skills
- Demonstrates good analytical and reflection skills
- Well developed concentration skills
- Good presentation skills, both written and verbal
- Good organisational skills
- Prioritisation skills
- Good auditory skills and ability to transcribe speech phonetically
- Demonstrates ability to be a good team member
- Knowledge of assessment tools relevant to the client group
- Knowledge of national policies and procedures (relevant to the client group)
- Well established knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions (relevant to the client group)
- Understanding of the roles of other professionals (relevant to the client group)
- Knowledge of standards of record keeping
- IT skills
- evidence of CPD
Desirable- Understanding of the principles of clinical governance/audit
- previous experience of NHS IT systems
Job Specific RequirementsEssential- The ability to travel independently across the Trust
- The ability to work flexibly in accordance with service needs, including on occasions evenings
ExperienceEssential- xperience of supporting young people with communication disorders & coexisting conditions such as Downs Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, ASD, ADHD.
- Experience of independently managing a wide range of communication disorders including communication linked to ASD, DLD Fluency, Speech disorders, disorders existing alongside learning difficulties,
- Experience working in collaboration, sharing strategies and implementing programmes and advice and coaching staff in mainstream / special schools
- Experience in day to day running of a community / mainstream /special school caseload and supporting newly qualified staff and assistants
- Involvement in training/coaching other professionals / parents
- Experience in designing and providing training
- Significant relevant post graduate clinical experience
Desirable- Experience of using a range of AAC including both electronic and paper-based
- Experience assessing social communication skills and contributing to a neurodevelopmental pathway assessment for ASD diagnosis.
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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 SponsorshipApplications 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 RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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).Employer detailsEmployer nameNorth Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust (BCH)
AddressHealth Services at Wolves
Halliwell Jones Stadium
Martin Dawes Stand, Winwick Road
Warrington
Cheshire
WA2 7NE
United Kingdom
Employer's websitehttps://northcheshireandmersey.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer contact detailsFor questions about the job, contact:Debbie Gould
deborah.gould@nhs.net
DetailsDate posted05 August 2026
Pay schemeAgenda for change
BandBand 6
Salary£39,959 to £48,117 a year
ContractPermanent
Working patternPart-time,
Flexible working
Reference numberC9835-WA26-087
Job locationsHealth Services at Wolves
Halliwell Jones Stadium
Martin Dawes Stand, Winwick Road
Warrington
Cheshire
WA2 7NE
United Kingdom
Supporting documentsPrivacy noticeNorth Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust (BCH)'s privacy notice (opens in a new tab)
