Job overview

Are you passionate about working with children with complex needs? We are looking for an experienced, ideally dysphagia qualified, Speech and Language Therapist to manage a caseload of 0-5 year olds with complex  needs. You will be supporting these children with their communication development and, if appropriately qualified, their eating, drinking and swallowing skills. You will be working as part of a complex needs team with support and supervision from senior therapists. 

The Children’s Therapy Services identify, assess, support and manage the health needs of children and young people aged 0-18 years, working closely with children and their families in health settings and family homes; and with education colleagues in early years and school settings. 

You will work across South Gloucestershire and Bristol supporting pre-school children with complex needs and their families in the community. Knowledge of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is important. Dysphagia competencies would be ideal but are not essential to apply. You will see children for uni-professional appointments and as part of our multi-disciplinary child centred assessments. 

This role is offered as a fixed-term contract for 12 months to provide maternity cover. 

Main duties of the job

• Dependent on experience, a specialist / highly specialist clinical practitioner, carrying your own (highly) specialist caseload.
• If employed at Band 7 being a source of expertise, providing support, supervision, teaching, advice and consultation across BNSSG. You will offer highly specialist clinical expertise within complex needs (and dysphagia) and carry your own (highly) specialist caseload.
• If employed at Band 7 you will triage new referrals to the team alongside other band 7 practitioners, according to agreed referral criteria.
• If employed at Band 7 you will be responsible for line managing junior colleagues 
• This is a fixed term post for maternity leave cover. 

Working for our organisation

Ever dreamt about a career that sparks excitement and fosters your professional growth? Picture yourself waking up eager to make a real difference in our community, surrounded by teams who value your unique ideas. It's time to turn your dream into reality!

We are Sirona care & health – England’s largest provider of Adult’s and Children’s Community Services and we’d love for you to join us in Bristol, North Somerset or South Gloucestershire.

Agenda for Change Salary, full NHS benefits, 27+ days’ annual leave, and participation in the NHS Pension Scheme – just a glimpse of the benefits we offer.

Whether you're starting your journey in healthcare, looking for a fresh challenge within the NHS, or contemplating a career change, don't be daunted by the prospect of something different – we create development opportunities for all our colleagues and apprentices.
Interested? View our benefits leaflet which you can find as an attachment on this vacancy.