County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Speech and Language Therapist
The closing date is 13 November 2026
Anexciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, motivated andwell-organised Speech and Language Therapist to join our Children's SLT Servicein County Durham. You will be part of a supportive and experienced team ofSLTs, Assistant Practitioners and dedicated administrative staff. Workingwithin a locality team, you will manage a varied caseload of children and youngpeople, with access to support and supervision from Clinical Leads andSpecialist Therapists as required. This post is suited to a newly qualifiedpractitioner, providing an excellent foundation for a career in children'sspeech and language therapy. We offer excellent CPD, regular supervision, peersupport and opportunities to develop specialist skills. In April 2025,Children's Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapyservices came together to form a wider Children's Therapies Service withinCounty Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust. This is an exciting time tojoin the team as we move towards an integrated therapies service.
Ifyou are passionate about making a difference and developing your career withina supportive and forward-thinking team, we would love to hear from you!
Main duties of the job
To provide speech and language therapy services to childrenand young people with a range of different speech, language and communicationneeds.
To be an active member of the local multi-disciplinary teamand work closely with the Childrens Therapy team to ensure continueddevelopment of the service.
The post holder will need to be proactive, flexible andresponsive to the changing needs and demands of the organisation and willsupport the smooth running of the service.
Work within a designated locality team
As a key member of the team you will be passionate aboutimproving health outcomes for children and young people, and will work closelywith health colleagues, partner agencies, parents and carers. You will be anexcellent communicator and enjoy working both independently and as part of ateam in different settings.
Work within a range of community venues including homes,clinics and education settings
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.
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For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
Job responsibilities
Generate appropriate strategies to manage an individualcaseload including the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and discharge of adiverse range of clients with a broad range of communication, eating anddrinking difficulties with supervision, support and guidance from seniorclinicians.
Design and select appropriate means of assessment, analyseassessment data, make appropriate clinical decisions and define a differentialdiagnosis regarding level of client functioning, with guidance from clinicalsupervisors as required.
Structure and implement evidence-based, individuallytailored intervention programmes for children/young people, families and otherprofessionals based on current understanding of best practice guidelines withsupport and guidance from senior clinicians.
Identify the need for second opinions in discussion withsenior clinicians.
Ensure clients are involved in the planning andprioritisation of their care plans wherever possible.
To adapt practice to meet individual patient circumstancesincluding regard for cultural and linguistic differences.
Maintain contemporaneous clinical records, gather data,provide reports, share information and give advice and recommendations to thechild/young person, carers and other involved professionals about thechild/young persons abilities and needs in line with professional standards,local Trust policies and data protection guidelines
Continually evaluate the effectiveness of care protocolsand packages of care, audit and implement changes as appropriate in conjunctionwith lead clinician/line manager
Evaluate the effects of the communication difficulty on thepsychological health of the client.
Undertaking all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomouspractitioner.
Liaising with parents/carers,multi-disciplinary/multi-agency teams, in the assessment, reporting andtreatment programming, ensuring a holistic approach.
Contributing to and actively participating in, In-Servicetraining, supervision, C.P.D. and appraisal.
Independently supervise the work of speech and languagetherapy assistants with a range of clients across acute and community settings,including providing advice and guidance on carrying out therapy strategies,with guidance from senior clinicians
Special Requirements
- Driving posts must have valid Full UK driving licence
Special Skills & Knowledge
- Ability to analyse and make informed judgements required for the assessment of clients and selection of appropriate management strategies.
- Flexibility able to cope with different work environments.
- Positive attitude to new challenges
- Ability to analyse and make informed judgements required for the assessment of clients and selection of appropriate management strategies.
- Flexibility able to cope with different work environments.
- Positive attitude to new challenges.
- Knowledge of current national drivers and clinical guidelines, relating to children with speech, language and communication difficulties.
- Ability to demonstrate high level written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to be assertive in relationships with other professionals, clients and carers
- Skills in making formal presentations
Statutory Registration
- HCPC registered
- Member of RCSLT
Experience
- Experience of working as a SLT,
- Experience working in partnership with children and parents
- Experience of working in a range of environments, including schools
- ability to manage own time, prioritise tasks and to work independently
- Experience of working in a range of environments, including mainstream schools
- Experience of working as a member of a multi-disciplinary team
Qualifications
- Degree or equivalent qualification in Speech and Language Therapy
- Certificate to practise as a
- Speech and Language Therapist
- Evidence of post graduate study relevant to the post
- Evidence of achieving clinical autonomy
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.
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
£32,073 to £39,043 a yearper annum, pro rata
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