Working for our organisation

At CNWL, we are committed to providing a working environment where you can progress your career, build your knowledge base and develop your skillset. We want to encourage building on your personal and professional development to provide the best patient care.

You will be joining and welcomed into a diverse therapy team who actively promote and advocate for equality and diversity.

We can provide:

• Highly structured induction.
• Excellent levels of support and supervision which includes regular clinical and management supervision every 8 weeks and an annual appraisal.
• A wide range of opportunities for continuing professional development.
• Easy access to clinical specialists in all clinical areas.
• Designated admin and planning time.
• Memberships at relevant CENs are supported and encouraged.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification on this advert for further info.

Main Duties And Responsibilities

• To work collaboratively with the EY staff and parents to support children/young people (CYP) with SLCN to improve early communication outcomes for CYP.
• To share information with others, observing confidentiality and data protection guidelines and governance, having due regard for local guidance on sharing information with colleagues in education, social care and voluntary sector.
• To communicate highly complex patient related information effectively to ensure collaborative working with multidisciplinary team members across health, education and social care and the voluntary sector. This includes CYP specific information as well as training packages to other professionals around the management of speech, language and communication.
• To have due regard for the cultural and linguistic differences of children/families concerned.
• To work closely with CYP, carers and families, involving them in decision making regarding intervention approaches demonstrating and ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly where barriers to understanding exist (i.e. hearing loss, communication difficulties, bilingualism, learning difficulties and other differences).
• To employ excellent communication skills such as persuasion, motivation and explanations to encourage/reassure clients and carers to undertake treatment programmes.
• To demonstrate established negotiation skills in the management of conflict across a range of situations.
• To deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible and report to senior staff.
• To form productive relationships with others in particular parents/carers who may be under stress and/or have challenging communication difficulties.
• To write clinical reports as per departmental standards reflecting highly specialist knowledge.
• Produce high‑quality reports on outcomes, impact and learning, informing strategic planning and future commissioning.

Person specification

Education And Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent.
• Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
• Health Professions Council registration.
• Evidence of post graduate short courses in parent coaching/adult child interaction, early language development and training the trainer.
• Further training courses relevant to the post.

Desirable criteria

• Membership of relevant CEN.
• Evidence of advanced training in clinical specialist area.

Experience

Essential criteria

• Extensive post-qualification experience working with preschool CYP.
• Experience supporting early identification of SLCN in universal or targeted early years settings.
• Experience delivering training, coaching or workshops to early years practitioners or parents.
• Experience working collaboratively within multiagency early years systems (e.g., Health Visiting, Family Hubs, Early Help, SEND).
• Assessment, treatment and management of CYP with speech, language and communication difficulties.
• Experience of clinical supervision of staff and students.
• Experience in interagency working.
• Experience working autonomously and managing a complex workload.

Desirable criteria

• Experience implementing universal SLCN initiatives (e.g., communication rich environments, training workshops screening tools).
• Experience working within Family Hubs, children’s centres or local authority early years teams.

Skills and knowledge

Essential criteria

• Strong understanding of typical early language development and early indicators of SLCN.
• Knowledge of universal, targeted and specialist early years pathways.
• Skilled in using assessment tools relevant to preschool children.
• Knowledge of evidence based early years interventions and communication‑supportive practice.
• Understanding of the roles of early years practitioners, Health Visitors, SEND teams and other partners.
• Excellent interpersonal, coaching and communication skills.
• Ability to analyse data, reflect on practice and adapt approaches.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise in a dynamic environment.
• Understanding of clinical governance and service quality frameworks.
• Evidence of team working.
• Sound knowledge of the safeguarding responsibilities for the role.

Desirable criteria

• Ability to interpret local and national early years policy and support service development accordingly.
• Knowledge of public health approaches to early language development.