Make a Difference Where It Matters Most
Are you a passionate and experiencedSpeech and LanguageorOccupational Therapistready to lead and inspire? Hampshire County Council is seeking a dynamicHead of Serviceto oversee and develop our Speech and Language and Occupational Therapy provision for children and young people with educational needs.
This is a unique opportunity to shape services that directly impact lives, working in a collaborative, forward-thinking environment that values innovation, inclusion, and holistic care.
The Role:
As Head of Service, you will:
* Lead and manage the countywide Therapies Service, ensuring effective delivery of Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) and Occupational Therapy (OT) to children with complex needs.
* Oversee strategic planning, governance, and quality assurance of both internal and commissioned therapy services.
* Manage a £1.5M+ budget and develop a sustainable sold service model.
* Provide professional supervision and clinical leadership to therapy staff.
* Collaborate with schools, families, health professionals, and key stakeholders to ensure holistic, child-centred care.
* Represent the service at tribunals and contribute to departmental and inter-agency policy development.
* Be committed to the development and continuous improvement of a high-quality service
* Develop an effective early intervention sold service
What you’ll do:
* Lead service development and innovation aligned with national and local priorities.
* Ensure compliance with professional standards and safeguarding policies.
* Monitor and evaluate service performance using data and stakeholder feedback.
* Develop and implement individualised plans for children with the most complex needs.
* Support the professional development of therapy staff and wider education professionals.
What we’re looking for:
Essential Qualifications and Registration:
* A recognised degree in Speech and Language Therapy or Occupational Therapy (or equivalent).
* Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
* Full membership of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) or equivalent professional body.
Skills and Experience:
* Significant post-qualification experience working with children with severe and complex needs.
* Proven experience in strategic and operational leadership, including budget and resource management.
* In-depth knowledge of clinical governance, risk assessment, and therapy service standards.
* Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to manage complex relationships and represent the service professionally.
* Experience in developing and delivering training to build capacity across the education workforce.
* Competence in IT systems and report writing.
* Evidence of managing complex relationships and potential conflicts
* Experience of developing efficient and effective processes to ensure cost effective service management
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