Job Description

The closing date is 7th Sep 2025

Anticipated Interview date(s) 16th September

Job summary

---------------


We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Clinical Specialist Lead - Learning Disability (LD) Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) to join our Community Team for Adults with Learning Disabilities (CTALD) within NHS Somerset Foundation Trust.


In this pivotal role, you will ensure clinical excellence in the assessment and management of communication and dysphagia (eating, drinking and swallowing) needs, including complex and chronic conditions. You will act as a source of specialist expertise for the LD SLT team, service users, care providers, students, assistant practitioners, other healthcare professionals, and stakeholders.


This is a predominantly clinical role, carrying a specialist caseload while working closely with our multi-disciplinary health team. You will also provide high-quality clinical supervision to identified specialist SLTs within CTALD and contribute to the continued development of our services for adults with learning disabilities across Somerset.

Main duties, tasks & skills required

-----------------------------------------

Deliver specialist clinical assessment, diagnosis, and intervention for adults with learning disabilities and complex communication and dysphagia needs. Work autonomously to manage your own caseload, ensuring clinical risk is effectively managed. Provide expert advice to colleagues, care providers, and other agencies to ensure co-ordinated, multi-disciplinary care. Offer high-quality clinical supervision and mentorship to SLT colleagues, assistant practitioners, and students. Lead and contribute to service development, audits, and evidence-based practice initiatives within LD SLT and CTALD. Represent the LD SLT service at relevant multi-disciplinary and multi-agency meetings. Support staff development through coaching, training, and active performance management. Maintain accurate, timely clinical records in line with Trust and professional standards.

About us

------------


At

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

Flexible working options

to help you balance work and life

NHS pension scheme

for long-term financial security

Generous annual leave allowance

to recharge and relax A strong focus on

career development

to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our

Blue Light Card

, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.


We are proud to foster a

diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce

, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset?

Somerset offers the perfect blend of

idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty

, and

breathtaking coastlines

, with vibrant cities like

Bristol

,

Bath

, and

Exeter

just a short drive away - and only two hours to

London

.


The region is home to excellent

educational facilities

, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all

- the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Job description

-------------------


As a Clinical Specialist Lead, you will be a key figure in ensuring the delivery of a high-quality, evidence-based SLT service for adults with learning disabilities in Somerset. You will:

Undertake comprehensive assessments, using advanced clinical reasoning to develop individualised treatment plans. Provide interventions that maximise communication potential and manage dysphagia needs, adapting techniques to suit service users' specific requirements. Use specialist communication strategies to work effectively with individuals who have barriers to understanding, including cognitive, sensory, and emotional factors. Work collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary team - including nurses, occupational therapists, psychologists, social workers, and other health professionals - to deliver integrated care. Contribute to policy and service development, ensuring compliance with national and local standards. Lead on the implementation of clinical guidelines and protocols for LD SLT, contributing to continuous improvement and innovation. Engage in clinical governance, audit, research, and service evaluation to maintain high professional standards. Support the professional development of the team through structured supervision, training sessions, and student placements. Travel within the Trust boundaries to deliver services in a range of settings, including service users' homes, community facilities, and care provider environments.

This is an exciting opportunity to combine clinical expertise with service leadership, shaping the future of LD SLT provision across Somerset.

Person specification

------------------------


###

Qualifications

####

Essential

Degree or equivalent professional qualifications HCPC registered



####

Desirable

Post Graduate education to Masters level and / or post graduate clinical training in relevant specialist area

###

Experience

####

Essential

Extensive proven post graduate NHS experience with extensive clinical experience relevant to the post Experience of working across organisational boundaries in a health care setting Experience of providing high quality effective services within resource limits Experience of supporting staff and developing staff members Experience of serviced based problem solving



####

Desirable

Experience of change management and of developing and implementing new models of care Experience of active performance management



###

Additional Criteria

####

Essential

Must be a car driver with a valid driving licence or have access to transport with appropriate business insurance in order to travel throughout the Trust, to meet the needs of the service.

###

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.


###

Certificate of Sponsorship

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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.


From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to 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. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.


###

UK Professional Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.


###

For help with your application, contact:

Adela Lewis


adela.lewis@somersetft.nhs.uk


07766246671


###

Pay scheme

Agenda for Change


###

Band

Band 7


###

Salary

47810.00 to 54710.00 Yearly
###

Contract

Permanent


###

Working pattern

Full-Time


###

Reference number

184-OL-GR-2734


###

Job locations

Summerlands

56 Preston Road

Yeovil

Somerset

BA20 2BN


Priory Health Park

Glastonbury Road

Wells

Somerset

BA5 1XL