Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist/Clinical Lead for DLD

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Please note that this vacancy may be withdrawn at any time should it be filled via the internal redeployment process

Job Overview

Are you passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)? Do you enjoy supporting others, driving clinical excellence and shaping service development? If so, we would love to hear from you.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and enthusiastic Speech and Language Therapist to join our Children's Community Speech and Language Therapy Team as our Clinical Lead for DLD.

This Band 7 role provides team and clinical leadership for the service, combining advanced clinical practice with the opportunity to influence service delivery, support workforce development and promote evidence-based practice across the team.

Main duties of the job

Provide expert assessment, intervention, advice and clinical leadership for children and young people with DLD.

• Lead on developing knowledge, confidence and competence within the wider Speech and Language Therapy workforce.
• Support colleagues to understand and navigate the Additional Learning Needs (ALN) system, ensuring children with language difficulties receive the right support at the right time.
• Promote high-quality, consistent clinical practice, including decision-making, outcome measurement and documentation.
• Work collaboratively with education, health and third-sector partners to improve outcomes for children, young people and their families.
• Contribute to service development, innovation and the implementation of evidence-based practice.

Applicants should be innovative and enthusiastic, be particularly interested in supporting evidence-based practice and committed to developing and delivering services to children and young people, their education providers and their families.

The post holder will be supported with regular clinical supervision and team meetings.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

This is a permanent post.

Please contact Rebecca Hammonds, Professional Lead for Children’s Services on 01633 431639 with any queries about the role or for further information.

Working for our organisation

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) is a multi-award-winning NHS organisation serving the communities of Gwent. With more than 14,000 staff and volunteers, we provide safe, high-quality, and compassionate care across hospitals, GP practices, community services, and mental health settings. As a University Health Board, research, education, and innovation are central to our work, supporting evidence-based practice and continuous improvement.

Our work is guided by the Gwent Strategy 2025–2035, which sets out our long-term ambition to create a fairer and healthier future for our population. We focus on prevention, reducing health inequalities, and working in partnership with local authorities, voluntary organisations, and communities to improve health and wellbeing.

We are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive workplace where people feel valued, respected, and able to develop. Our values of Kindness, Integrity, and Respect shape how we care for patients and how we treat one another.

We offer a wide range of learning and development opportunities, flexible working where possible, and a comprehensive NHS benefits package. Working for ABUHB means being part of an organisation that values its people and offers the chance to build a meaningful and rewarding career while making a real difference to the lives of others.

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Speech and Language Therapy Degree. Member of HCPC. Member of RCSLT. Awareness of NHS structures and strategies. Evidence of Appropriate CPD General department and Health Board policies and systems. Systems of prioritisation.

Desirable criteria

• Introduction to management training. Awareness of Welsh language/bilingual issues.

Experience

Essential criteria

• Significant experience in specific clinical area. Advanced specialist clinical experience. Supervision of less experienced SLTs Line management responsibilities. Involvement in innovative working practices. Contributing to development of local clinical guidelines. Involvement in planning local service delivery.

Desirable criteria

• Evidence of innovate practice in the development of SLT services. Operational responsibility for specific area. Leading the development of local clinical guidelines.

Values

Essential criteria

• Team player. Flexible and adaptable to the needs of the service. Resilience to emotionally demanding situations. Ability to accept standards of others. Sound reflective practice skills with mentors. Empathy. Personal initiative.

Desirable criteria

• Ability to motivate others. Ability to initiate process of change. Able to help juniors to reflect on practice. Excellent problem-solving skills.