Job Opportunity: Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist, Lead Community Clinics
Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to announce an exceptional career opportunity for an experienced Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist to join our Bexley Children’s Speech & Language Therapy service. This position offers not only professional growth but also includes certificate of sponsorship for international candidates seeking to relocate to the United Kingdom.
About Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS providers of community and mental health services in Southeast England. We offer a wide range of healthcare services to people in community and secure environment settings, serving over 125 sites across London and Kent. Our multidisciplinary teams provide exceptional care to people of all ages, working in close partnership with other NHS services, local councils, and voluntary sector organizations.
Position Overview
Are you looking for an opportunity to develop your leadership skills within an early years/community clinic service? If so, come and join Bexley Children’s Speech & Language Therapy service. We are seeking an experienced and self-motivated highly specialist speech and language therapist who enjoys working in a community clinic environment.
Role Responsibilities
Clinical Leadership
As the Lead Community Clinics therapist, you will provide leadership to the early years community clinic team, ensuring continued clinical service development. You will demonstrate and provide highly specialist knowledge in clinical specialisms underpinned by current evidence-based practice and evaluate outcomes effectively.
Caseload Management
You will manage complex and highly specialist caseloads independently and plan the workload of others. This includes making highly specialist clinical decisions in assessment of complex cases and providing expert advice to others regarding the management and care of children with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN).
Team Management
You will manage, lead and provide highly specialist supervision to therapists and assistants working within the early years’ community clinic team and other parts of the service. This includes conducting appraisals and ensuring professional development of team members.
Family Engagement
A crucial aspect of this role involves meeting with parents, children and young people, taking and responding to feedback to develop care pathways and monitor the quality of child and parent information. You will ensure that children, young people and families are involved in the planning and prioritisation of their care plans wherever possible.
Service Development
You will take a clinical specialist role in the development of local clinical guidelines informed by evidence for children and young people with SLCN. This includes involvement in all aspects of caseload management, recruitment, service development, audit, training, supervision and appraisal.
Location and Work Environment
This position is based at Erith District Hospital, Park Crescent, Erith DA8 3EE. The Bexley Children’s Speech and Language Therapy service is a dynamic and supportive team that offers many opportunities for developing clinical skills through CPD. The service has excellent internal supervision and support structures and provides the ideal environment to develop clinical and management skills.
Salary and Benefits
We offer a competitive salary ranging from £53,751 to £60,651 per year pro rata, depending on experience. This position is classified under Band 7 of the Agenda for Change pay scheme. The role is part-time and offered on an 18-month fixed-term contract.
Certificate of Sponsorship
We are pleased to announce that applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. This is an excellent opportunity for international candidates looking to relocate to the United Kingdom and develop their career within the NHS.
Essential Qualifications
Professional Registration
Applicants must possess a recognised Speech & Language Therapy degree qualification or equivalent and maintain current membership with The Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Clinical Experience
The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years of clinical experience working with children with specific speech and language difficulties in early years community clinics. Experience in coordinating service delivery and supervising staff/conducting appraisals is essential.
Desirable Qualifications
Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses up to Master’s degree equivalent and membership of relevant CEN/s is desirable. Experience in writing local policies and leading clinical development would be advantageous.
Knowledge and Skills Requirements
Essential Skills
Candidates must demonstrate well-established knowledge of a broad range of assessment tools relevant to the client groups. The ability to demonstrate flexibility and respond to workload demands as priorities arise is crucial. Highly developed negotiation and problem-solving skills in complex situations and the ability to facilitate these skills in others are essential.
Application Process
All applications must be submitted through the NHS Jobs website. The closing date for applications is 14 October 2025. Please ensure your application clearly demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the person specification.
Additional Information
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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Professional Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information, please visit the NHS Careers website.
Contact Information
For questions about this position, please contact Joanna Copp, Early Years/Community Clinic Co-ordinator, at [email protected] or by phone at 02030040092. We encourage potential applicants to contact us to discuss this job opportunity further.
Why Join Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust?
At Oxleas, we are proud of the care we provide and our people. Our purpose is to improve lives by providing the best possible care to our patients and their families. This is strengthened by our values: We’re Kind, We’re Fair, We Listen, We Care. We offer extensive opportunities to work effectively with partners in health, social care and education.
Equal Opportunities Employer
Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust is committed to equal opportunities and is an accredited Disability Confident Employer, Age Positive employer, and holds Gold status in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. We are also recognized as an HSJ Top Employer and IWP Practice Plus organization.
Supporting Documents
Detailed job description and person specification documents are available for download through the NHS Jobs website. Please review these documents carefully before submitting your application.
Privacy Notice
Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust’s privacy notice for applicants is available on our website and explains how we handle your personal data during the recruitment process.
Relocation Support
For international candidates successful in their application, we provide comprehensive support throughout the relocation process, including assistance with visa applications, accommodation guidance, and orientation to help you settle into your new role and community in the United Kingdom.
Professional Development
We are committed to the continuous professional development of our staff. The successful candidate will have access to extensive training opportunities, clinical supervision, and opportunities to contribute towards operational projects to support service development.
Application Deadline
Remember to submit your application before the closing date of 14 October 2025. We look forward to receiving your application and potentially welcoming you to our dedicated team at Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust.
