Based at in the recently completed Child Development Centre (CDC) at Crawley Hospital, we are looking for an enthusiastic and committed Band 7 to lead our Pre-School Complex Needs Team of Speech and Language Therapists and Speech and Language Therapy Assistants.

The role has a high clinical component and excellent clinical skills with at least 2 years experience in complex needs are required. Experience in dysphagia is desirable, and training in this area could be funded and supported. Some previous experience of supervision & management would be an advantage.

The new CDC offers an excellent environment for multidisciplinary working, and the SLT team, which also covers Crawley, Horsham and Mid-Sussex, has several new members of staff with more starting imminently. Joining at this point offers the new leader the perfect opportunity to grow and learn with their team.

This role dovetails with those of the Early Years and SALSS (Speech and Language Setting Support) B7s to provide a comprehensive preschool offer. It also works closely with The Social Communication Diagnostic team B7s to provide clinical observations of children going through the diagnostic pathway. There is a strong and supportive Band 7 Speech and Language Therapy network in the locality - and across the wider Trust.

Main duties of the job

This is a Clinical Lead role for Preschool Complex Needs in the Central Area of West Sussex, the applicant would work in conjunction with the Clinical Leads from neighbouring Brighton and Hove, as well as West Sussex. There are regular county wide meetings to review cases and opportunities to be part of a wider multi-disciplinary team ensuring a high quality service is delivered to children across the CDCs

The ideal candidate be able write complex clinical reports based on assessment findings. They will have knowledge and skills suitable to be able to contribute to projects, data collection and strategic developments within the Preschool Complex Needs Pathway.

Some experience of managing or supervising a small team would be an advantage.

The Trust has an extensive Leadership Programme and is supportive of staff training and development we have access to funding from Education and Training as well as funding at locality level. There will be opportunities to further skills and knowledge through CPD: in house management skills, access to colleagues across West Sussex Brighton & Hove as well as an Education and Training Department for funding external courses and other opportunities for development.

About us

We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex. Our 6,000 staff serve a population of 1.3 million providing essential medical, nursing, and therapeutic care to adults and children.

Our Trust vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community, helping people plan, manage, adapt to changes in their health, supporting avoidable hospital admissions and reducing hospital stay times.

We have opportunities for everyone across our wide variety of services including medical, clinical, support and corporate services.

Why work for us?

• Positive 2022 NHS Staff Survey results, scoring highly in compassionate culture & leadership, and staff wellbeing support
• Variety of working environments across the community, in patients' homes, within our community hospitals and bases across the county
• Supportive flexible working patterns such as: part time, flexi time, annualised hours, and flexi retirement options
• Excellent training and development opportunities
• Research opportunities
• Cost-effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove and Brighton
• Thriving BAME, Disability and Wellbeing, LGBT+ and Religion and Belief staff networks
• Level 3 accredited Disability Confident Leader, committed to creating inclusive workplaces
• Veteran Aware Trust, achieving accreditation from Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA)
• Located in stunning Sussex, with easy access to the South Downs and the coast
• Access to a wide range of benefits and discounts for NHS staff

Job description

Job responsibilities

To provide assessment, diagnosis and management to children within the designated caseloads, providing highly specialist care plans.

To provide advice to other professionals and parents in order to support the needs of children with speech, language and communication delay and disorder in specialist area.

To provide advice to other professionals and parents in order to support the needs of children with Eating and Drinking difficulties.

To organise caseloads within the scope of the highly specialist post advising the SLT Service Manager of shortfalls and difficulties as they arise.

To negotiate with parents, carers and others Multi-Disciplinary tteam members around individual case management, demonstrating compassion and empathy alongside well developed negotiation skills and management of conflict.

To be responsible for administration and record keeping conforming to Departmental and Trust regulations concerning the format and security of patient records and the Data Protection Act.

To be aware of, and adhere to, legal requirements relating to the provision of a Speech and Language Therapy Service and of procedures relating to Child Protection.

To recognise own professional boundaries and seek advice and support as appropriate.

To lead in the development of innovative practices, projects and therapy packages in specialist area in collaboration with SLT Service Manager

To participate in the development of Team and Service clinical policies and plans as directed by SLT Service Manager.

To provide timely and accurate statistics as required by the Department. k) To provide appropriate and timely reports and other client related correspondence, according to service standards and requirements of other agencies.

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for more details

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree / Diploma in Speech and Language Therapy
• HCPC Registration
• A masters level qualification or equivalent knowledge and skills demonstrated through wide range of paediatric experience and training

Desirable

• Membership of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

Experience

Essential

• Wide ranging paediatric SLT experience including at least 3 years as a Specialist SLT (normally band 6 or above)
• Assessment, diagnosis and independent management of a wide range of paediatric caseload
• Clinical supervision of students, support staff and assistants

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Extensive knowledge of assessments and therapy techniques and of different models and frameworks of working
• In-depth knowledge of issues relating to differential diagnosis and aetiology in a range of speech, language and communication difficulties
• Working knowledge of government policies, including Education systems, National Curriculum and National Service Framework for Children
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
• Competent IT skills
• Highly developed auditory skills for assessing speech and language
• Car owner/driver or suitable alternative

Employer details

Employer name

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Crawley Hospital

West Green Drive

Crawley

RH11 7DH

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

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