Job Description

The Clinical Pathway Lead will provide line management and clinical leadership to the Therapy team - which includes Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy, in Barking & Dagenham, as part of the overall clinical leadership structure for Targeted Children's Services within the borough. The Clinical Pathway Lead will manage the Speech and Language pathway with line management responsibilities for the Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Leads and pathways.



The Clinical Pathway Lead will have highly specialist knowledge in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of specific disorders, communication disorders including autism, and complex learning disabilities. The Clinical Pathway Lead will lead on the speech and language pathways supporting and delivering in mainstream (and secondary) schools, ARP's, Early Years social communications and language, SSD, Stammering, Dysphagia, Deafness, Complex needs and DLD. This includes developing innovative practice and service redesign to contribute to the development and implementation of the clinical care pathways. The post holder will work closely with the Head of Service and give feedback on performance and contractual agreements of the Therapies Service - which includes Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy.



Main duties of the job



Provide clinical leadership and operational management to the Therapy team in B&D (SLT/OT/PT), supporting service delivery across both health and education settings.

To lead and develop innovative Therapy services that support clinical care pathways for children and young people

Manage staff supervision, recruitment, and professional development to build a skilled and motivated team.

Foster strong partnerships with Local Authorities, schools, and community stakeholders.



To develop systems and processes to support the delivery of the service within health and education settings within the borough of Barking & Dagenham



Engage actively with families and community networks to ensure services are responsive, inclusive, and outcome-focused.

Maintain a specialist clinical caseload, providing expert assessment, diagnosis, and intervention.

Promote ongoing service evaluation, quality improvement, and compliance with Trust policies.

Drive forward innovation in service delivery, including digital resource development and embedding research within clinical practice.

Champion culturally sensitive approaches and contribute to reducing health inequalities within the diverse communities we serve.



Our Values 2025 - 2030



Working with our colleagues, patients and carers we have co-produced three new values that we aim to embed within our culture here at NELFT.

They are:

We are kind.

We are respectful.

We work together with our communities.



These three values help us to strive to provide the best care by the best people.



Starting with NELFT

NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers, and attend a number of drop-in sessions focusing on engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.



Probationary Period

This post will be subject to a probationary period.



High Cost Area Supplement - Outer London



This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 15%of the basic salary (minimum payment of 4,714 and a maximum payment of 5,941 - per annum, pro rata for part time).



Use of AI



Please see attached document regarding acceptable use of AI

during the recruitment process.



Our service is passionate about addressing health inequalities and delivering equitable care across a multicultural community where over 130 languages are spoken. If you're ready to combine clinical excellence, leadership, and innovation in a supportive and dynamic environment, this role is for you.



Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role and working at North East London NHS Foundation Trust. We encourage you to refer to this when completing your application.