Date posted: 31 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working, Annualised hours
Reference number: 267-CH8181655
Job locations: TBC Various across Oxford Health sites, Oxfordshire, OX14 1AG, United Kingdom

Job summary
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Speech and Language Therapist to join our Children's Integrated Therapies Service.

The post holder will provide highly specialist assessment, intervention and advice for children and young people with a wide range of speech, language and communication needs, including those with complex disabilities. Working across education settings and community environments, you will ensure children and families receive high-quality, evidence-based care tailored to individual needs.

As a key member of the leadership team, you will lead and develop services across a designated geographical area, promoting partnership working, integrated care and positive outcomes for children and young people. You will provide line management, clinical leadership and workforce support to colleagues, contributing to quality improvement, service innovation and the delivery of countywide priorities.

The role will play a key part in delivering the Experts at Hand programme, working with schools and education partners to strengthen inclusive mainstream education, support earlier identification of speech, language and communication needs, and improve educational participation and outcomes. You will also work collaboratively with education, local authority and SEND partners to support SEND reform, influence system-wide developments and help shape innovative, sustainable pathways of care across Oxfordshire.

Main duties of the job

• Provide highly specialist speech and language therapy assessment, intervention and advice for children and young people with a range of speech, language and communication needs, including complex and long-term conditions. Manage a designated caseload and maintain responsibility and accountability for clinical decision-making and service delivery.
• Support delivery of the Experts at Hand programme by working with schools, education settings and wider partners to strengthen inclusive mainstream education. Promote earlier identification and support for speech, language and communication needs, improving participation and outcomes for children and young people.
• Act as a strategic leader within the local SEND system, working closely with education colleagues, local authorities and partner agencies to support the delivery of SEND reforms and improve joined-up working across services.
• Lead and contribute to service improvement projects, pathway development and countywide programmes of work. Use audit, outcome measures and evaluation to support evidence-based practice, quality improvement and service transformation.
• Work collaboratively with families, education settings, health colleagues and partner agencies to deliver integrated, child-centred care. Promote co-production, respond to feedback and support the consistent delivery of high-quality speech and language therapy services across Oxfordshire.

About us
Oxford Health is a great place to work and to be able to showcase the best of yourself when making an application please read the "candidate guide to making an application" and ensure your supporting statement is tailored to the role you are applying for and addresses any essential criteria.

As a Trust we provide physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and Northeast Somerset. Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible. Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: "Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"

Our values are: "Caring, safe and excellent"

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:

• Excellent opportunities for career progression
• Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
• 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
• NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
• Competitive pension scheme
• Lease car scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Mental Health First Aiders
• Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists apply)
• Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team

Job responsibilities
We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.

The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.

We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. We kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of their experience and must take care to ensure the use of AI tools does not generate an application that does not accurately reflect their knowledge, skills and values.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Diploma / degree in Speech and Language Therapy
• HCPC registration
• Evidence of CPD maintained within a portfolio
• Relevant Band 6 experience
• Registered & practicing member of the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists
• Speciality relevant post graduate courses

Desirable

• Experience at Band 7 level
• Specialty specific post graduate courses
• MSc/post graduate diploma
• Member of RCSLT Clinical Excellence Networks

Experience
Essential

• Extensive post graduate experience of working with children and young people, including a range of clinical placements within the NHS
• Experience of working within the community including working in schools and other education settings
• Extensive use of outcome measures and specific assessment tools for children
• Experience of managing and prioritising a caseload
• Experience of contributing to education of children, young people, families, colleagues in health and education settings
• Up to date with evidence-based practice, national guidelines and new research
• Knowledge of specialist assessment tools relevant to the patient group
• Understanding of the statutory / legal requirements for working within the specialty including extensive experience working with the SEND code of practice and EHCP processes

Desirable

• Experience of line managing, supervising and appraising staff
• Involvement in research

Knowledge
Essential

• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of clinical governance/audit and risk management issues
• Excellent presentation skills to deliver reports verbal and written information including being an expert witness for SENIST appeals
• Ability to represent therapy within the wider multi-disciplinary team

Contractual Requirements
Essential

• Applicants must have a full valid driving license and have access to a vehicle for work. Adjustments can be considered in line with the Equality Act 2010 where required.

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 (opens in a new window).

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Professional & Operational Manager Children's SLT
Mary Denne
Mary.Denne@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk
07766541742