York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Speech and Language Therapy Professional Lead
The closing date is 08 April 2026
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Speech and Language Therapist to join the Professional Leadership team as the Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) Professional Lead. This pivotal role will provide strategic and visible leadership across the Trust, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, safe, and effective SLT services that enhance patient care and experience.
As the Speech and Language Therapy Professional Lead, you will:
* Drive forward the SLT agenda within the wider AHP strategy, aligning new ways of working with organisational goals.
* Lead on evidence-based practice, service improvement, and innovation to strengthen SLT's contribution to patient care.
* Provide professional leadership and support to SLT teams, fostering a culture of compassion, creativity, and continuous learning.
* Represent the profession at operational and strategic levels, offering expert advice to internal and external stakeholders.
* Collaborate closely with the Chief AHP and multidisciplinary teams to deliver national and local quality indicators.
* Contribute to workforce planning and professional development.
This is a fantastic opportunity for a dynamic leader passionate about advancing SLT practice and improving patient outcomes. If you are committed to excellence, innovation, and collaborative working, we would love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
The Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) Professional Lead is a senior role providing strategic, clinical and professional leadership to ensure safe, effective and high-quality SLT services across the Trust.
Leadership & Workforce Development: Shape the vision for SLT services, advise on service design and workforce planning, support interdisciplinary working, and promote innovation and continuous improvement.
Performance & Quality Management: Ensure compliance with governance and regulatory standards, lead quality improvement initiatives, and respond to safety alerts, complaints and best practice developments.
Policy & Service Improvement: Interpret and implement national and local policy, lead service redesign and contribute to business cases and transformation programmes.
Communication & Collaboration: Build strong internal and external networks, work with HEIs and professional bodies, and provide expert advice and representation at strategic forums.
Resource Management: Support financial planning, oversee efficient use of resources and contribute to sustainable service delivery.
Clinical Contribution: Maintain specialist clinical expertise, act as a role model, and provide advanced clinical advice, supervision and training.
Professional Development: Promote lifelong learning, research engagement and a culture that supports staff development.
This influential role drives excellence in SLT practice, improves patient outcomes and shapes future service direction.
About us
We offer a range of benefits to support our staff including:
* Access to the NHS Pension Scheme, providing generous benefits upon retirement, as well as a lump sum and pension for dependants
* 27 days holiday rising to 33 days (depending on NHS Trust service)
* A generous relocation package of up to 30% of salary (capped at £18k) to support with relocation expenses for hard to fill positions where relocation would be an expectation to undertake the role fully. If you would like to discuss a potential relocation package, please speak to the recruiting department/manager.
* A variety of different types of paid and unpaid leave covering emergency and planned leave
* Confidential advice and support on personal, work, family and relationship issues, 24/7, from our Employee Assistance Programme
* NHS Car Lease scheme and Cycle to Work scheme
* An extensive range of learning and development opportunities
* Discounts on restaurants, getaways, shopping, motoring, cinema and finance from a range of providers
For further information on the fantastic range of benefits we offer please visit the Trust's dedicated Staff Benefits pages.
Job responsibilities
A full description of the role is available in the attachment: job description.
Please note that if a high number of applications are received this advert may close early. You are advised to submit your application at the earliest opportunity.
Working for the Trust
Across our organisation, people are guided by values that were co-developed with staff: we are kind; we are open; and we pursue excellence.
Our values play into our ambition to develop a more diverse workforce, truly representative of our communities. We welcome applications from everyone, while working with our Staff Networks – including our Race Equality, LGBTQ+, Disability and Carers Networks – to increase the number of applications we receive from different backgrounds. If there is anything we can do to make our application process more accessible to you, please contact yhs-tr.recruitment@nhs.net.
As part of seeking to become more inclusive, we will consider requests for flexible working from the start of your employment. It may not be suitable for every role, but we will try and be supportive where we can. We would encourage you to speak to the recruiting manager named within this advert to discuss any requirements you may have.
Armed Forces Friendly Employer
We are holders of the Gold Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, which is helping actively promote SaBRE – Supporting Britain's Reservists and Employers. This means that we have made a statement of intent to support all Defence personnel, including with applications for employment.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
* Diploma/degree in relevant profession
* HCPC registration
* Masters Level modules relevant to Clinical Specialty / Management Responsibilities
* MSC Qualification or willingness to undertake or equivalent experience
Experience and Knowledge
* Experience of complex caseload management and discharge planning
* Extensive experience and credibility as a clinical leader and evidence of a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their registered profession
* Experience of service redesign
* Experience of report writing and presentation skills
Experience and Knowledge
* Evidence of an in-depth knowledge of NHS priorities, processes and operational issues
* Knowledge of the current workforce, quality and education agendas within the NHS
* Involvement in Clinical Education/Clinical Supervision
* Experience of user involvement
* Coaching skills
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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