Childrens Speech and Language Therapist
Closing date: 22 June 2026
We are seeking a compassionate, innovative, and enthusiastic Band 5 Children’s Speech & Language Therapist to join our “Outstanding” community Children’s and Young People’s Specialist services. You will join a friendly and supportive highly specialist multidisciplinary team and contribute to the development of AHP provision within our Learning Disability Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (Starfish).
The post is 37.5 hours per week and will involve working across Norfolk, including Kings Lynn, Great Yarmouth and Norwich. The base salary is negotiable and flexible working is supported, including agile/home working where relevant.
The Starfish Team offers assessment and intervention for young people of school age (4‑18 years) with a diagnosed learning disability who are experiencing significant behavioural and/or mental health difficulties.
The Starfish team covers a large geographical area, so it is essential that you can drive and have access to a vehicle when pool cars are not available.
Main duties of the job
* Provide high‑quality support, assessment and advice to children and young people with significant learning disabilities and their families, under the support of Senior Clinicians in the team.
* Provide a range of clinical expertise and design ongoing assessment and interventions under the direction of Senior Clinicians to meet each child’s changing development needs.
* Work as part of a multi‑disciplinary team to ensure multi‑professional patient care for children and young people.
* Commit to reducing the impact of learning disabilities and mental health on the child/young person’s peer and family relationships.
* Mentor new colleagues and students in the assessment and intervention support of children and young people open to the service.
* Safeguard and apply relevant associated skills on review and agreement at PDR.
Job responsibilities
* Be professional and legally accountable for all clinical decisions and professional actions, ensuring work remains within professional standards, clinical guidelines and evidence‑based practice.
* Use effective communication skills, valuing others and recognising strengths and differences.
* Provide assessment and clearly planned intervention.
* Identify and request sufficient time to continue professional development.
* Use supervision to ensure care offered to children/young people is safe, needs‑focused and based on current evidence and best practice.
* Actively engage in monthly peer support meetings.
* Collaborate with inter‑disciplinary and multi‑agency partners.
* Mentor and report to Senior Clinicians on the progress of student nurses as allocated.
* Manage diary effectively to maximise clinical, developmental and travelling time to cover large mixed rural and urban populations.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Degree or equivalent diploma level in Speech and Language Therapy.
* HCPC registered.
* Norfolk Steps training (Step On/Up).
Experience
* Experience working with children and young people who have learning disabilities and their families.
* Experience of collaborative multi‑disciplinary and multi‑agency working.
* Clinical experience as a Speech and Language Therapist.
* Experience of caseload management.
* Post‑graduate clinical experience working with children and young people with learning disabilities.
* Experience working in the community.
Skills, Abilities and Knowledge
* Able to work in a team and independently when appropriate.
* Able to prioritise own workload.
* Able to deliver evidence‑based and outcome‑led interventions.
* Effective use of information technology.
* Knowledge of the emotional, psychological, developmental and social needs of children and young people with learning disabilities.
* Understanding of non‑verbal communication systems and their use with children and young people.
* Accurate, timely and concise recording.
* Understanding of the Common Assessment Framework.
* Understanding of behaviours that “challenge” and their impact on a child/young person’s relationships.
* Participation in group work.
* Carrying out individualised work under supervision.
* Knowledge of local statutory and non‑statutory resources available for this group.
* Ability to work in partnerships with others.
* Knowledge of current legislation and policy in Learning Disabilities and Mental Health.
* Use of SystmOne for patient records.
* Experience using standardised assessment tools.
Communication
* Able to communicate on all levels with children/young people, parents/carers and other professionals.
* Able to communicate effectively in written and verbal English.
* Able to work as part of a multi‑disciplinary team.
* Good observation, listening and empathy skills.
Personal and People Development
* Able to supervise students/non‑registered colleagues.
* Able to deliver parent training with other colleagues.
Personal Attributes/Behaviours (linked to the Trust’s Behaviour Framework)
* Commit to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults.
* Must hold a full and valid UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A submission for Disclosure will be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Trust
East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust
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