Band 7 Speech & Language Therapist - Dysphagia

Job Introduction

As a Band 7 Speech & Language Therapist for Dysphagia  we value you and your wellbeing, offering a range of benefits to help you feel supported and appreciated:

• Competitive Pay & Pension: Enjoy a Band 7 Agenda for Change salary and NHS pension benefits.
• Professional Growth: Join our Strive for Better networks, connecting with NHS professionals nationwide to share insights and develop leading care practices.
• Exclusive Rewards: Access discounts and premium offers at national supermarkets, well-known retailers, and indulgent treats like Virgin Experience Days through our Reward Gateway.
• Wellbeing Support: Benefit from our 24/7 free wellbeing service, offering access to counselors, career coaching, legal advice, and more.
• Flexible Pay Options: Use Wagestream to track your earnings and access your wages as you need them, without worrying about high-interest loans or overdrafts.
• Learning & Development: Advance your career with support from our Learning and Development team, who collaborate with universities and Health Education England. Access e-learning, career pathways, and funding opportunities to help you grow.
• Recognition & Involvement: Celebrate achievements with local and national awards, contribute ideas to improve services, and stay informed through regular updates from our leadership team.

Job Introduction

Our Speech & Language Dysphagia Specialist role sits within the Paediatric Therapy Team, managing a complex caseload of children aged 0–5 with feeding, eating and swallowing difficulties. 

You will provide specialist assessment, treatment and Surrey-wide expertise, including training, advice and supervision to colleagues and other professionals. 

The role leads on evidence-based therapy planning, service delivery, clinical governance, research and audits, while supporting senior clinical leadership and deputising for the Clinical Team Lead

Main Responsibilities

• Provide support, advice and accessible care programmes to children and families regarding Dysphagia needs, using clear and appropriate language.
• Communicate complex and sensitive information with empathy, supporting families managing emotional responses to their child’s condition.
• Attend and arrange multidisciplinary meetings to offer specialist therapy advice and contribute to diagnosis.
• Maintain accurate electronic records and produce high‑quality clinical reports for use across agencies.
• Interpret assessment results, set therapy goals, and make referrals to other professionals when needed.
• Supervise and support students and junior team members, including contributing to training and induction.
• Plan and deliver parent/carer and staff training, presentations, and therapy development activities.
• Manage a clinical caseload, including triaging referrals, prioritising urgent cases, and balancing clinical and professional duties.
• Carry out specialist assessments, apply clinical reasoning, and ensure consent within legal frameworks.
• Develop, implement and review individual therapy plans using evidence‑based interventions, evaluating outcomes and adapting as needed.
• Engage with clinical interest groups, support placement decisions for children with complex needs, and help develop the Surrey‑wide SLT service.
• Participate in audits, performance reporting, recruitment processes, investigations and governance activities.
• Provide operational line management to designated team members and support overall team safety and clinical governance.

The Ideal Candidate

Essential

• Degree in Speech & Language Therapy (BSc Hons or equivalent) and HCPC registration.
• Dysphagia qualification with over 2 years’ Dysphagia experience, including working with children under 12 months.
• Minimum 5 years post‑graduate SLT experience with broad knowledge of best practice.
• Experience in relevant paediatric clinical areas and multidisciplinary team working.
• Competent in using standardised assessments with strong clinical reasoning skills.
• Evidence of ongoing CPD and participation in clinical audit.
• Experience of team management, appraisals, service development, safeguarding and complaint handling.
• Ability to deliver training to parents, staff and professionals.
• Strong planning, decision‑making and problem‑solving skills; able to work autonomously.
• Ability to reflect on and evaluate own practice.
• Computer literate.

Desirable

• Membership of relevant professional body and special interest groups.
• Postgraduate study up to Master’s level or specialist short courses linked to the role.
• Leadership or management qualification.
• Experience working with children in SLT or related areas.
• Training in supervision/line management and delivering specialist training.

Other requirements: the successful applicant will need to be a car driver

Please see attached Job Description for full Personal Specification.