Important Visa Information
This position is eligible for a Certificate of Sponsorship for international candidates. However, all applicants must verify their visa eligibility and requirements directly with the employer before applying. The Certificate of Sponsorship is subject to meeting UK immigration requirements.
Job Overview
We are seeking a Clinical Specialist Speech & Language Therapist to join our outstanding integrated therapy service. This is a 0.6 WTE (whole time equivalent) permanent, part-time position based in East Sussex on the beautiful East Sussex coast. You will have the opportunity to advance your career in children’s therapies while working with a highly successful team.
About the Employer
Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) is rated ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). We are passionate about delivering high standards of patient care and excellent services to improve the health of our communities. As an outstanding trust, we value compassion, aspiration, responsiveness, and excellence in all our work.
Location Details
The position is based at Chaucer in Polegate, East Sussex, with the postcode BN26 6QH. You will be working across various sites in East Sussex, requiring the ability to travel between locations in a timely manner. This beautiful coastal area offers an excellent quality of life with good transport links.
Salary and Benefits
This Band 7 position offers a salary of £47,810 to £54,710 per annum, pro-rata for part-time working. The position is part of the Agenda for Change pay scale. We offer a comprehensive benefits package including NHS pension scheme, generous annual leave, and access to various staff wellbeing programs.
Job Responsibilities
As a Clinical Specialist Speech & Language Therapist, you will be responsible for:
- Managing a specialist clinical caseload and acting as a specialist resource to the Children’s Therapies team and other professionals
- Supporting the work of SEND including completion of education, health and care needs assessments
- Occasional involvement in SENDIST appeal hearings as an expert witness
- Supervision of identified staff within the team in collaboration with the Head of Service and Operational Manager
- Contributing to the wider work of the team including initial assessment clinics, referral triage and Therapy One Point
- Providing leadership to the Team in collaboration with other clinical Lead colleagues
- Ensuring the team provides a high quality and cost-effective clinical service to children and young people
Person Specification
Essential Qualifications
You must hold a Recognised Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent and be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) with a license to practice.
Essential Experience and Behaviours
You must demonstrate commitment to quality of care and promote high standards to consistently improve outcomes for children. You should consistently put children and their families at the heart of clinical decision making and value diversity and difference, operating with integrity and openness.
Essential Knowledge
You need knowledge of evidence-based practice and ability to implement in clinical practice. Current knowledge of child/adult safeguarding policies and procedures is essential, along with knowledge of current local and national policies relevant to health, social care and education.
Essential Skills and Abilities
You must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, ability to motivate and lead staff, and ability to develop and maintain inter-agency and inter-disciplinary links. You should be able to prioritise and balance workload and demonstrate ability to negotiate and influence.
Personal Attributes
We are looking for innovative individuals with a willingness to meet new challenges and pioneer new ways of working. You must have the ability to travel across a variety of sites in East Sussex within a timely manner.
Certificate of Sponsorship Information
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. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants applying for entry clearance into the UK must present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.
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 known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council. For further information regarding professional registration, please see the NHS Careers website.
About Our Service
Whatever path you choose with us, you will become part of a highly successful integrated therapy service. Although based in East Sussex, we are employed by KCHFT which is an outstanding trust. We believe that the best health care is delivered by multi-disciplinary teams working together and in partnership to provide seamless care.
Training and Development
We have a strong commitment to training and development with robust supervision and shadowing opportunities across the service. As part of your professional development, you will have access to various training programs and continuing education opportunities to enhance your skills and expertise.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We know a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion leads to better patient care and a happier workforce. We pride ourselves in being diverse and welcome applications from people with varied backgrounds, perspectives and experiences. We ask for information about your protected characteristics on our application forms, which isn’t visible to anyone involved with shortlisting or interviewing you, except when you choose to be considered under the guaranteed interview scheme due to disability.
Flexible Working
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want you to be able to work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you. We’ll support you to work flexibly in a way that suits both parties. Talk to us about a flexible working arrangement that won’t involve sacrificing time for personal interests or family commitments.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, please submit your application via the NHS Jobs website. 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.
Application Checklist for International Candidates
- Verify your visa eligibility with the employer before applying
- Prepare your CV and a covering letter that addresses the person specification
- Gather any required documentation for your visa application
- Ensure you have current UK professional registration or equivalent
- Be prepared to undergo required criminal record checks
Contact Information
For informal discussions about this role, please contact Alexandra Storie, Operations Manager, at [email protected] or by phone at 07471 445622. You can also contact Kathryn Burbidge, Operations Manager, at [email protected] or by phone at 07766 294763.
Supporting Documents
The following supporting documents are available for this position:
- Job Description.pdf (PDF, 225 KB)
- Our Values into Action (DOCX, 150 KB)
- KCHFT Staff Journey illustration (PDF, 916 KB)
Application Deadline
The closing date for applications is 30 November 2025. We encourage early applications as vacancies may close early if there is a high level of interest in the position.
Next Steps
If you are shortlisted for this position, you will be invited to an interview. We will assess candidates against the person specification and may request references. All information you supply on your application should, to the best of your knowledge, be true and accurate.
Join Our Team
We look forward to welcoming you to #teamKCHFT, #cometocommunity. This is an excellent opportunity to advance your career in a supportive environment while making a real difference to the lives of children and young people in East Sussex. Contact us today to find out more about this exciting opportunity.
