Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced, innovative and collaborative Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (Band 7) to join our Early Years team. This is an exciting opportunity for a clinician with experience of working in Early years services and with children who are deaf or hard of hearing. The role is ideally suited to someone with a particular interest and expertise in working with deaf and hard of hearing babies, children and young people with a range of speech, language and communication needs.

The post holder will manage a highly specialist Early Years caseload alongside a specialist deafness and hearing loss caseload, including providing input to a Deaf Resource Base. You will work closely with families, educational settings, Audiology Services, Teachers of the Deaf and other multidisciplinary colleagues to deliver evidence-based, child-centred interventions and support positive outcomes for children and young people.

You will provide specialist advice and training, contributing to SEND processes, supervising junior staff and students, and lead service development within the area of deafness and hearing loss. We are looking for someone who is committed to partnership working, values inclusion and equity, and is motivated to help shape and develop high-quality services for children, families and schools across Brent.

Main Duties of the Job

• To provide a highly specialist Speech and Language Therapy service within the Early Years Service, including for children with speech, language and communication needs associated with deafness and hearing loss.
• To manage a specialist caseload of deaf and hard of hearing children and young people, providing specialist assessment, intervention, consultation and advice relating to hearing loss and its impact on communication, language development, learning and social participation.
• Support members of the Early Years Speech and Language Therapy team in the day-to-day operation of the service, including responding to queries, supporting triage and referral management, contributing to team discussions and facilitating effective service delivery.
• Act as the clinical lead for deafness and hearing loss within Children's Speech and Language Therapy, providing specialist consultation, advice and support to colleagues across the service.
• Participate in multidisciplinary and multi-agency meetings, contributing specialist knowledge and chairing meetings where appropriate.
• Support the Clinical Team Lead with operational leadership and service development activities across the Early Years pathway.
• Manage competing demands and priorities effectively, maintaining a flexible approach to workload management and service delivery.
• To provide supervision, mentorship and support to junior staff and students.

About Us
We are proud to be one of the largest community healthcare providers in the country, with more than 4,500 colleagues caring for over four million people across London and Hertfordshire. Every day, our teams bring their skill, compassion, and determination to the people who depend on us.

What inspires us is at the heart of who we are: when we work together, we can help people move forward in ways that truly matter. Our teams support children as they take their first steps in life, and they stand beside adults as they rebuild strength, confidence, and independence. From newborn health visiting to community nursing, stroke rehabilitation, and palliative care, we are there for people through some of life's most important moments.

Joining Central London Community Healthcare means becoming part of a community that lifts each other up. It means working in an organisation that values compassion, welcomes new ideas, and believes in the potential of every colleague. Your development matters here. Your wellbeing matters. Your voice helps shape the future of the care we provide.

We offer a competitive employment package because the work you do matters. At Central London Community Healthcare, you will join an inclusive organisation that invests in its people, supports development, and helps you thrive while delivering high-quality care.

Details
Date posted: 31 July 2026
Closing date: 16 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £55,524 to £62,652 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 824-ONW-8178135
Job locations: Chalkhill Primary Care Centre, Chalkhill Road, London, HA9 9FX, United Kingdom

Job Responsibilities
Applicants are expected to present clear and relevant evidence of the competencies and responsibilities detailed in the attached Job Description and Person Specification, together with a demonstrated commitment to the Trusts values of Accountability, Inclusion, Compassion, and Empowerment.

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for full roles and responsibilities.

Person Specification
Education/Qualification
Essential

• Registration with Health Professions Council as a speech and language therapist
• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree qualification or equivalent.
• Registered member of RCSLT.
• Evidence of specialist training and/or experience in working with deaf and hard of hearing babies, children and young people.

Desirable

• Membership of relevant CEN
• British Sign Language (BSL) qualification or experience

Experience
Essential

• Significant experience working with children with speech, language and communication needs.
• Experience working with Early Years children presenting with a range of developmental speech, language and communication needs.
• Experience working with deaf and hard of hearing children and young people.
• Experience working collaboratively with families, educational settings and multidisciplinary teams.
• Knowledge and experience of assessment (including standardised assessments) and intervention approaches used in paediatric speech and language therapy.
• Experience contributing to SEND processes, including EHCP assessments and Annual Reviews.
• Experience of service development and quality improvement.
• Experience of providing supervision, mentoring or support to colleagues and students.

Desirable

• Experience working alongside Teachers of the Deaf
• Experience of leading clinical projects or service developments.
• Experience of undertaking appraisals and supporting the development of less experienced staff.

Skills & Knowledge
Essential

• Specialist knowledge of speech, language and communication development in deaf and hard of hearing children and young people.
• Knowledge of the impact of hearing loss on language development, learning, literacy, social communication and participation.
• Knowledge of hearing technology including hearing aids, cochlear implants and assistive listening devices.
• Understanding of the role of Audiology Services and Teachers of the Deaf.
• Knowledge of communication approaches used with deaf and hard of hearing children and young people.
• Knowledge of assessment tools, treatment techniques and therapeutic interventions
• Demonstrate clear clinical reasoning based on evidence-based practice
• Child development and its application to speech and language therapy
• Understanding of safeguarding
• Awareness of the principles of clinical governance/audit
• Understanding and application of standards of record keeping and reporting.
• Working knowledge of the roles of other professionals in Health, Education and Social Care involved with CYP.
• Demonstrates well developed ability to analyse and reflect upon complex information.
• Excellent presentation skills, both written and verbal
• Evidence of excellent organisational skills
• Prioritisation skills
• Able to work independently as an autonomous practitioner.
• Demonstrates ability to be a good team member and assume leadership responsibilities.
• Negotiation, problem solving concentration, analytical and reflection skills.
• Good Written presentation skills information in clear and logical manner
• Present information in clear and logical manner
• Excellent interpersonal skills including observation, listening and empathy.
• Good awareness of IT and IT skills

Additional Information
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.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer Details
Employer name: Central London Community Health Trust
Address: Chalkhill Primary Care Centre, Chalkhill Road, London, HA9 9FX, United Kingdom
Employer's website: Apply through our website

Employer Contact Details
For questions about the job, contact:
Principal Speech and Language Therapist
Shivani Chotai
shivani.chotai@nhs.net
07827662559