Job summary
Are you passionate about working with children with complex needs? We are looking for an experienced, dysphagia qualified Speech and Language Therapist to manage a caseload of 0-5 year olds with complex eating, drinking, swallowing and communication needs. You will be supported by the Clinical Lead for Dysphagia and the School Age Complex Needs Team Lead.

The Children's Therapy Services identify, assess, support and manage the health needs of children and young people aged 0-18 years, working closely with children and their families in health settings and family homes; and with education colleagues in early years and school settings.

You will work across South Gloucestershire and Bristol supporting pre-school children with complex needs and their families in the community. The majority of the clinical work is dysphagia but there will also be some communication work, usually involving augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). You will see children for uni-professional appointments and as part of our multi-disciplinary child centred assessments.

This role is offered as a fixed-term contract for 12 months to provide maternity cover.

Main duties of the job

• A highly specialist clinical practitioner, being a source of expertise, providing support, supervision, teaching, advice and consultation across BNSSG. You will offer highly specialist clinical expertise within complex needs and dysphagia and carry your own highly specialist caseload.
• You will triage new referrals to the team alongside other band 7 practitioners, according to agreed referral criteria.
• You will be responsible for line managing junior colleagues
• This is a fixed term post for maternity leave cover.

About us
Ever dreamt about a career that sparks excitement and fosters your professional growth? Picture yourself waking up eager to make a real difference in our community, surrounded by teams who value your unique ideas. It's time to turn your dream into reality!

We are Sirona care & health - England's largest provider of Adult's and Children's Community Services and we'd love for you to join us in Bristol, North Somerset or South Gloucestershire.

Agenda for Change Salary, full NHS benefits, 27+ days' annual leave, and participation in the NHS Pension Scheme - just a glimpse of the benefits we offer.

Whether you're starting your journey in healthcare, looking for a fresh challenge within the NHS, or contemplating a career change, don't be daunted by the prospect of something different - we create development opportunities for all our colleagues and apprentices.Interested? View our benefits leaflet which you can find as an attachment on this vacancy.

Job responsibilities
See attached Job Description and Person Specification for full list of requirements before applying to this position.

Person Specification
Experience & Skills
Essential

• Experience of line management
• Experience working with children with dysphagia
• Experience of working with children with complex needs

Desirable

• Experience working with under 1s with dysphagia
• Previous experience in clinical specialist role

Qualifications
Essential

• Degree level qualification recognised by Professional Governing Body (Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists/Chartered Society of Physiotherapists/ Royal College of Occupational Therapists)
• HCPC Registration
• Evidence of Master Level post qualification accredited training and participation in ongoing regular CPD in area of clinical specialism (e.g. Bobath training, Post-grad accredited Dysphagia training)
• Paediatric dysphagia competencies / qualification

Desirable

• Under 1s competencies

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.