Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Job description

Welcome to Central London Community Healthcare (CLCH)

At CLCH, we proudly serve as a beacon of compassionate community healthcare across 14 vibrant London boroughs - Barnet, Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hounslow, Kensington and Chelsea, Merton, Richmond, Wandsworth, Westminster, Hillingdon, Sutton, and Kingston - as well as Hertfordshire. We bring care closer to home, embracing the rich diversity of these communities with dedication and heart.

Recognised as a Good provider by the Care Quality Commission and celebrated among the top NHS employers, we are united by a shared passion: empowering our community health professionals to deliver care that truly makes a difference.

We are deeply committed to fostering an environment where every member of our team feels respected, valued, and inspired-a place where fairness, kindness, and inclusion blossom. Our culture is rooted in the principles of the NHS People Plan, Our NHS People Promise, and our own strategic Equality values and objectives, guiding us to create a truly supportive and inclusive workplace.

Together, we build a caring community where the warmth we show one another shines through in every life we touch.

Job overview

We are recruiting to a full-time Band 6 position within our Community Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) service in Wandsworth. We welcome applications from qualified Speech and Language Therapists who are committed to delivering high-quality care and are interested in working in a community setting.

Our dedicated and supportive team sits within the Community Adult Health Services provided by Wandsworth CLCH Trust. We are a community-based therapy team providing care to the residents of Wandsworth within their own homes, care homes or day centres.

In this role, you will work with a general adult caseload, carrying out assessment, treatment, and support to those experiencing swallowing difficulties and communication impairments. You will collaborate closely with our community colleagues across multidisciplinary teams, primary and secondary care services, voluntary and third sector organisations.

Main duties of the job

Key duties within this role include:
• Take an active role within the clinical team, contributing to the delivery of a comprehensive, specialist Speech and Language Therapy service.
• Provide skilled dysphagia and communication assessments and treatments to the general adult community population of Wandsworth.
• To be proficient in managing a complex caseload of a variety of long-term conditions including dementia.
• Work in line with professional standards and clinical guidelines, supporting best practice across the service.
• Carry out all aspects of clinical care, including assessment, treatment planning, and maintaining accurate, timely clinical records. You will work independently with your caseload, with appropriate support from the wider team.

Working for our organisation

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.

Detailed job description and main 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 Trust's values of Accountability, Inclusion, Compassion, and Empowerment.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Degree in Speech-Language Therapy
• Health & Care Professions Council Registration

Desirable criteria

• Relevant post graduate qualifications
• Membership of the Royal College of Speech-Language Therapists (RCSLT)
• Membership of Clinical Excellence Network (CEN) groups
• Courses and experience relevant to the patient group

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of providing detailed assessment and intervention for patients with dysphagia and communication impairments
• Experience of working with adults with a variety of long-term conditions
• Use of reflective practice and supervising others
• Experience of service development
• Experience of working in an adult community setting and/or acute settings
• Experience of dealing with emotionally challenging situations in a professional and compassionate manner
• Experience of working in palliative and end of life care.
• Training and presenting to others

Desirable criteria

• Undertaken clinical audit
• Research experience
• Experience of working in the NHS
• Use of outcome measures

Skills

Essential criteria

• Specialist knowledge and understanding of long-term conditions and neurological conditions including clients with multiple pathologies
• Specialist skills in the assessment and treatment of adults with communication and swallowing difficulties in the context of complex long-term conditions
• Ability to problem solve, prioritise and demonstrate effective clinical reasoning skills
• Knowledge and experience of working within a wider multi-disciplinary team
• Knowledge and understanding of clinical guidelines across a variety of long-term conditions e.g. dementia, Parkinson's Disease
• Knowledge and understanding of clinical governance and its application to clinical practice
• Excellent time management and prioritisation skills
• Advanced clinical note writing and report writing skills, in both verbal and written format
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Evidence of counselling skills and ability to manage difficult conversations
• Basic IT/ word processing skills

Desirable criteria

• EMIS clinical system experience

Key Attributes

Essential criteria

• Personally, and professionally responsible
• Ability to self-motivate
• Ability to be flexible, adaptable and reliable
• Ability to work as a team member
• Ability to work under pressure

We review all applications carefully to ensure fairness and verify references. At interview, you will be asked about your experience, so be honest and ensure all information is accurate. The use of AI during interviews is not permitted.

If you use AI or other tools to support your application, it must reflect your own skills, knowledge, and experience. Supporting information should be in your own words and include your personal insights. AI can assist with drafting but may produce generic or inaccurate content. Applications that rely heavily on AI may lack authenticity and reduce your chances of success.

Due to high application volumes, this vacancy may close early. Please apply promptly if you meet the Person Specification. Only candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the criteria will be shortlisted. Interview details will be emailed after the closing date - please check your inbox regularly.

CLCH Trust does not recommend relying solely on AI when completing your application.

CLCH Commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

CLCH is proud to be a Disability Confident employer. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential for providing exceptional patient care. We are dedicated to attracting and retaining talent from all backgrounds, including ethnic minorities, the LGBTQ+ community, and people with disabilities.

As a Disability Confident employer, we pledge to:
• Guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for a role.
• Provide reasonable adjustments to support diverse needs throughout the recruitment and employment process.
• Challenge misconceptions about disability and foster an inclusive culture for everyone.

We are committed to building a workplace where all staff feel valued and have the opportunity to thrive. Simply let us know how we can support you.

Learn more about our equal opportunities policy on our website: Equal opportunities: Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust