Job Summary
Are you a passionate and experienced Speech and Language Therapist looking for an exciting leadership opportunity? We are seeking a compassionate and dynamic Head of Service for Speech and Language Therapy, where your expertise and strategic vision will shape the delivery of care for children, young people, adults and families across South Tyneside and Sunderland.
In this role, you'll provide guidance, leadership, and support to a talented team, helping to deliver high quality Speech and Language Therapy, Childrens Occupational Therapy and Childrens Physiotherapy Services.
We need a passionate, dynamic and motivated clinical leader with a strong knowledge of the Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) and Childrens Integrated Therapies (CIT) landscape. The candidate will be a visible and compassionate leader, solution-focused, able to work effectively as part of a team, and able to identify and lead change to maximise opportunities.
They will be a voice and champion for the SaLT and CIT team, working with other Heads of Service to ensure close integration with other clinical teams, supporting senior leadership tasks.
Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.
Main Duties
* Provide strategic and professional leadership across Speech and Language Therapy (Adults and Children) and Childrens Integrated Therapies for South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT).
* Have professional responsibility and accountability for Speech & Language Therapists.
* Represent Speech and Language Therapy and Childrens Therapies in all relevant internal meetings with Senior Managers, Clinical Directors and externally including partner organisations, HEIs, commissioners and the wider South Tyneside and Sunderland footprint.
* Maintain a clinical role as an expert practitioner in the specialist clinical area, level of practice (specialist, advanced practice, consultant level).
* Contribute to the achievement of the trust vision of delivering Excellence in All That We Do. STSFT is a thriving Foundation Trust at the heart of an integrated healthcare system delivering improved patient care at community and hospital settings.
Core Responsibilities
* Overall management, leadership, strategic planning and development and delivery of Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) and Children’s Therapies within and outside the organisation.
* Role model compassionate and inclusive leadership along with professional clinical leadership.
* Partner with key managers/staff within and outside the Directorate to ensure quality patient services.
* Be professionally accountable for the direct delivery of clinical services and for the continuous professional development of the service.
* Provide advice and expertise to Therapy Services and the Trust to enable the delivery of appropriate and effective services.
* Provide clear professional leadership to staff to enable patient‑centred delivery of care, modernisation and service development.
* Develop safe, evidence based working practices and policies for an area within Therapy Services.
* Formulate long‑term strategic plans for an area within Therapy Services addressing local, regional and national influences.
* Prepare realistic and achievable forward looking business plans in line with the strategic planning of the Trust.
* Develop new ways of working and new roles to develop the capacity and capability of the workforce.
* Ensure and facilitate a culture of research and development activity.
* Work with and influence a range of organisations to ensure partnership working.
* Ensure the delivery of a programme of undergraduate and post‑graduate education.
* Implement Clinical Governance within the service and develop an annual forward plan.
* Work as an autonomous practitioner, devising and delivering specialised programmes of care.
* Maintain registration with the Health Care Professions Council.
* Motivate and encourage staff particularly in times of sustained pressure (e.g., equipment breakdowns, staff shortages and capacity shortages).
* Lead workforce and service developments and redesign to ensure service to patients is delivered to highest professional standards and in line with best practice.
* Ensure that all practices, legal, ethical and professional are adhered to within the service and where necessary appropriately challenge these practices.
* PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.
Person Specification
Skills (Essential)
* Innovative problem solving/analytical skills.
* Excellent interpersonal skills; able to communicate effectively across all disciplines, clinical and managerial, and at all levels.
* Strategic vision and planning skills and the ability to explore imaginative ways of optimising use of resources.
* Ability to lead and embed change.
* Visible and supportive leadership style with the capability, confidence, temperament and self‑motivation to see projects through to completion.
* Experience of planning and service development in a complex organisation resulting in improvements in delivery or practice.
* Able to negotiate, persuade and influence at a senior level with executive management, consultants, external stakeholders and other groups on highly complex, sensitive and contentious issues.
Desirable
* Project Management experience.
Experience (Essential)
* Experience, knowledge and proven track record of delivery in managing and developing a range of diverse and complex operational services.
* Experience of managing a complex and demanding workload.
* Ability to translate strategic plans into operational reality.
* Experience of successfully leading professional groups.
* Able to condense multiple and often conflicting information sources into simple formats.
* Experience of effective partnership and collaborative working.
* Experience of workforce planning and development.
Physical Skills (Essential)
* Ability to meet the travel requirements of the role.
Qualifications (Essential)
* Possess highly developed specialist knowledge acquired through formal qualifications and/or relevant specialist experience in practice equivalent to Masters level.
* Relevant degree in Speech and Language Therapy.
* Registration with HCPC.
* Proven management experience at a senior level including dealing with a range of HR matters, financial management, project management, change management, management information systems, governance and recognised leadership qualification or willingness to work towards one.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A submission for Disclosure will be required to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.
Job Details
Reference Number: C9155-CSAHP-0226-35
Date Posted: 24 February 2026
Pay Scheme: Agenda for Change
Band: Band 8b
Salary: £64,455 to £74,896 a year (26/27 Pay award pending £66,582 - £77,368)
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full‑time
Job Locations: Sunderland Royal Hospital, Kayll Road, Sunderland, SR4 7TP
Employer Details
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
Sunderland Royal Hospital
Kayll Road
Sunderland
SR4 7TP
Website: https://www.stsft.nhs.uk
Contact
Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.
Additional Information
One Team One Trust – There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award‑winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness, civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture and working environment.
We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under‑represented groups. Looking after our workforce health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high‑quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.
If you have questions, do not hesitate to contact the Trust.
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