Contact information
Please contact Clare Garner Team Lead Children's Speech and Language Therapist on 01977 465417 or email Clare.Garner@nhs.net for any further information or to discuss the role.
About the role
We are looking for a keen and enthusiastic person to join our Children's Speech and Language Therapy team. You will provide a key role in supporting the delivery of therapy packages and interventions to children on the Speech & Language Therapy caseloads within our Early Years Complex Needs team. You would be working under the guidance & support of the relevant qualified paediatric SLT's. Although our main base is at Featherstone Health Centre, this post will be predominately based at Pinderfields and Pontefract Hospitals and there will be home/nursery visits through out the working week. This role is temporary for 9 months to cover Maternity Leave. We are a friendly supportive team. You will receive regular clinical, safeguarding supervision, support from therapists and other Band 4 practitioners working within the team.
This post requires a self-motivated and professional individual with the confidence and ability to work on their own initiative and as part of a team within standard operating procedures. The post holder will work with and support therapists in order to provide a seamless service to young children with complex communication needs.
Interview date 1st July 2025 in person interviews only.
Main duties
The successful candidate will work under the supervision of an HCPC registered Children’s Speech & Language Therapist's working within the Early Years Complex Needs Team. The post holder will be expected to:
* Be responsible for a delegated caseload of appropriate clients
* Conduct therapy sessions with individuals or small groups of children
* Provide feedback on the efficacy & suitability of interventions to the appropriate SLT
* conduct assessments as directed by HCPC registered SLT
* support the delivery of home programmes
* support the creation of materials/programmes
* participate in regular clinical supervision
The post holder will have an understanding of the service requirements, and an appreciation of the concerns and queries of patients and carers.
Professional
* To implement Trust wide and departmental policies, procedures and guidelines.
* When required, to write departmental policies in own area of operating and to implement Trust wide/departmental policies, procedures and guidelines or partake in feedback
* Maintain a professional appearance in line with the Trust dress code
* Uphold the Trust’s values and behaviours (available on the Trust web site) and behave in a manner fitting with the responsible position of the post holder, maintaining the public confidence
* Maintain professional and courteous working relationships with staff and respect the equality and diversity of each and every person he/she comes into contact with in the course of his/her business
* Uphold the privacy and dignity of the client group and respect the equality of patients at all time
General
* To ensure children and adults are protected from abuse and avoidable harm and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.
* To understand and act appropriately on, written and verbal instruction from a practitioner to carry out specific treatment and interventions.
* To be able to identify own limitations and seek advice from a qualified therapist when appropriate.
* To use a range of verbal and non-verbal skills to establish a professional rapport with patients and encourage their interest and participation in interventions by communicating with them in a way that reflects their views, autonomy and culture.
* Work effectively as a member of the Paediatric Speech & Language Therapy Service to undertake delegated tasks to contribute to the safe and smooth running of the service.
* To liaise with other agencies e.g. multidisciplinary team and referral to other specialist services as deemed appropriate, in discussion with relevant SLT as required
* To be responsible for planning own day to day allocated workload, resources, and transportation for home visits, school visits and unaccompanied follow-up visits.
* To work across multiple sites in order to meet the needs of the team.
* To ensure all duties are undertaken to enable the achievement of Trust and Service specific Key Performance Indicators.
* Model effective communication strategies across a range of contexts according to the client’s needs
* Accurate recording of all digital patient records, updating and amending information in timely manner.
* To participate in both service and trust development plans.
* To participate in specific projects or departmental working parties as directed by the clinical/team lead.
Key requirements
Early Years Complex Needs
* To work jointly and individually with children who have complex communication needs modelling to families and education settings therapy ideas and techniques used to support early communication and interaction skills. Demonstrate and support families to access low tech AAC (alternative & augmentative communication). Provide activities to promote & develop early communication skills and language skills.
* To work with small groups of children to provide language stimulation through such things are Intensive Interaction/Attention Autism etc.
* To support other children as required under the guidance of the relevant HCPC registered SLT
Individual programmes
* Be able to monitor progress and adjust specific programmes accordingly, referring more complex issues to qualified SLT
* To conduct straightforward assessments sharing the interpreting with a qualified SLT
* To offer guidance & advice to parents/ carers/ school staff regarding treatment programmes.
Groups
* Running and managing group sessions for children with communication needs with supervision and support for other Advanced Practitioners
* Onward referral for those children not making progress
* Discharge of those where all outcomes achieved
* Providing suitable feedback on children's outcomes to the relevant therapists
* Giving appropriate feedback to parents/carers re: a child’s progress within the group, in a sensitive and informative manner, communicating at a level commensurate with the parent/carer
* Managing group waiting-lists and informing therapists as to waiting times and capacity
* Organise booking of suitable rooms/venues for group work
* Make arrangements for sending out appointments
Resources
* Make and maintain resources relating to communication programmes which might include producing symbol supported communication resources, collating or printing therapy programmes, and effectively cleaning and storing of toys, games and other equipment. Report loss or breakages in a timely manner.
* To be responsible for monitoring resources in relevant area, advising, when required, the ordering of materials/equipment needed to carry out the function of the service.
General
* To ensure children and adults are protected from abuse and avoidable harm and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.
* To understand and act appropriately on, written and verbal instruction from a practitioner to carry out specific treatment and interventions.
* To be able to identify own limitations and seek advice from a qualified therapist when appropriate.
* To use a range of verbal and non-verbal skills to establish a professional rapport with patients and encourage their interest and participation in interventions by communicating with them in a way that reflects their views, autonomy and culture.
* Work effectively as a member of the Paediatric Speech & Language Therapy Service to undertake delegated tasks to contribute to the safe and smooth running of the service.
* To liaise with other agencies e.g. multidisciplinary team and referral to other specialist services as deemed appropriate, in discussion with relevant SLT as required
* To be responsible for planning own day to day allocated workload, resources, and transportation for home visits, school visits and unaccompanied follow-up visits.
* To work across multiple sites in order to meet the needs of the team.
* To ensure all duties are undertaken to enable the achievement of Trust and Service specific Key Performance Indicators.
* Model effective communication strategies across a range of contexts according to the client’s needs
* Accurate recording of all digital patient records, updating and amending information in timely manner.
* To participate in both service and trust development plans.
* To participate in specific projects or departmental working parties as directed by the clinical/team lead
* As a competent practitioner, teach and provide supervision to appropriate staff.
Resources and Finance
* The post holder will ensure the proper use of the Trust’s resources such as stationery, telephone usage, photocopying and other consumables in the course of business, ensuring minimal waste and minimal cost.
Be part of MY team
We are an acute trust caring for over one million people in Wakefield and Kirklees. Our 10,000 staff work in patients’ homes, the community, and our three hospitals in Pontefract, Dewsbury, and Pinderfields (Wakefield). We prioritise our people and values so we can deliver the best possible care to patients. Our team is friendly, passionate, and innovative, always seeking better ways to work.
We support work-life balance and foster a diverse, inclusive environment where everyone belongs. Our staff networks offer safe spaces to share ideas and concerns so we can increase awareness and appreciation of equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and especially encourage members of the LGBTQ+ community, ethnic minority groups, and people with disabilities or neurodivergence to apply, as they are currently underrepresented in the Trust.
If you value caring, high standards, improvement, and respect, join the MY team to make a difference every day.
Application guidance:
We understand that more applicants are using AI technology to help with their applications. While these tools can be useful, they cannot fully capture your skills, knowledge, and experience. It’s important that you personalise your application. Relying solely on AI is not recommended, as it may reduce your chances of success. Our screening process is thorough, so if you have used AI, please make sure to disclose this on your application form.
Our benefits
* Access to the NHS pension plan
* Generous holiday allowance of 27 days plus bank holidays, increasing with 5 and 10 years of service
* Exceptional employee health and wellbeing services
* Extensive benefits and support, including:
* Onsite nurseries and childcare salary sacrifice scheme
* Cycle to work scheme
* Home electronics scheme
* Car lease salary sacrifice scheme
* Working carers support and advice, carers network and carers passport
* Flexible working options and family and carer-friendly policies
* Established staff networks, including LGBTQ+ and Race Equality
* Career progression, training and support
Skilled worker sponsorship
You can find out more about skilled worker and health and care visas on our careers site .