Contact information
Please contact Children's Speech and Language Therapy Team Lead Clare Garner on 01977 465417 or email Clare.Garner@nhs .net
About the role
Are you looking for a new opportunity to work within our Paediatric Dysphagia Team? The post will be working with children across community and acute settings. If are wanting a new challenge and have significant experience of working in paediatric dysphagia then this may be the perfect opportunity for you. We are a forward thinking enthusiastic team working across the Mid Yorks District which covers Pontefract, Wakefield and surrounding areas.
You would be working also side other therapists and supported by the Clinical Lead for Dysphagia.
Although our main base is at Featherstone Health Centre, this post will be predominately based at Pinderfields and Pontefract Hospitals. This post will mainly focus on the community dysphagia caseloads so there will be expectation for home and nursery/school visits.
We are a friendly supportive team. You will receive regular clinical, safeguarding supervision, support from other therapists and other working within the team. You will have opportunity to work alongside OT and Physio teams as we all part of the Children's Therapy Service.
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 will be required to work independently in order to provide a seamless service to children with eating drinking and swallowing needs.
Interview date 18th July 2025 in person interviews only.
Main duties
To be able to autonomously carry out, analyse and develop complex assessment and intervention packages for this client group & carry a clinical caseload of children in the acute inpatient setting and community, as well as special schools and mainstream schools.
To receive support and leadership from the Clinical Lead Speech and Language therapist as required.
Where appropriate, to refer to, contribute and support the coordination, of instrumental assessment clinics, including videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS), including adherence and training relevant to clinical policies and procedures, such as IR(ME)R (Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations) and non-medical referring.
To provide regular and flexible input to the children’s wards and to develop working relationships, training and support to the ward staff; including supporting rota cover to the ward.
To participate in regular dysphagia team meetings and clinical supervision, including providing clinical supervision to the rest of the SLT team working with patients accessing the dysphagia service on their caseload.
To coordinate, help deliver and develop training packages to our own staff and partner agencies.
To promote high quality client-centred care ensuring clients are treated with dignity, equity and respect.
To promote effective communication and support for clients, their families and carers.
To manage own workload and coordinate that of others within the various teams.
Key requirements
To support the clinical lead in coordinating the paediatric dysphagia service for the children of Wakefield and their families.
To carry out delegated duties as directed by Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist.
To support triage of dysphagia referrals in a timely manner and accept/decline where appropriate giving reasons why, to referring areas.
To undertake dysphagia assessments in order to determine a child’s specific needs then plan, implement and evaluate care.
To be proactive in undertaking relevant CPD relating to paediatric dysphagia and cascading training to colleagues as appropriate.
To organise and participate in, clinical supervision in a timely manner, offering clinical support to the team as and when required. To ensure effective learning opportunities take place to achieve outcomes for self & the team through mentorship and formal study.
To coordinate and support running of the community feeding clinic for initial assessments.
To support triaging of referrals into the videofluoroscopy service (where appropriate), attend clinics to support assessment and support with clinical feedback following exam.
To undertake clinical audit of, such as referrals into the Service, as directed by Clinical Lead.
Initiate and promote excellence in clinical practice acting as a role model within the team you work within.
To maintain a culture which recognises and works in partnership with clients and their carers, involving them in all decisions relating to their care delivery.
To work with the Local Authority, private, third and voluntary services, ensuring effective timely communication between all agencies.
To ensure effective communication within the MDT which can include paediatric consultants, dieticians, pharmacists and other stakeholders.
To contribute to the dissemination of information between team members, using effective communication channels.
To liaise effectively with the paediatric SLT team leader & other members of the team, other agencies, clients and their carers to ensure an efficient system of communication. Be able to vary how information is communicated dependent on the recipients, this may include complex or sensitive information.
To comply with Health & Safety policies within the Trust and report any accidents or untoward incidents occurring whilst on duty in accordance with Trust policies. Providing support for the root cause analysis of any accidents or incidents.
Maintain and update skills and knowledge through life-long learning, especially within the sphere of children’s services.
Demonstrate a proactive approach to team working and a commitment to team development.
To maintain standards in ongoing health information, both electronic and paper-based, ensuring safe keeping and confidentiality, accurate record keeping of relevant data and profiling. To input clinical information onto SystmOne as per Trust policy.
To maintain confidentiality, privacy and dignity in relation to the patients and their treatment at all times.
To undertake all mandatory / essential training as required by the Trust.
Concisely record in the client’s notes all communications with relatives and other agencies to form a comprehensive record and enable consistent information to be given by members of the team.
Maintain a tidy, clear working environment, being aware of potential health and safety hazards to self, other members of staff, clients and visitors. Report any faults / breakages as they occur to the appropriate department.
To demonstrate and maintain own knowledge and awareness of recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding the needs of vulnerable children.
To adhere to infection prevention policies to reduce and minimise risks of heath care acquired infections and participate in infection prevention audits.
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.
The post holder will take responsibility for stock-control within own area of work including the ordering of thickener and utensils as needed.
To maintain the confidentiality of the Trust in respect of patient and staff information obtained at all times, and use such information only as authorised for specific purposes. Report any concerns about the use of such information to the senior manager.
The post-holder is responsible for taking reasonable care with regard to himself/herself as well as for any colleagues, patients or visitors who might be affected by any act or failure to act by the post-holder in accordance with the Trust’s policies on Health and Safety at Work.
To report any accident, untoward incident or loss relating to staff, patients or visitors according to Trust policies.
To undertake in-service training relevant to the post.
Comply with Trust Policies and Procedures.
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 .