Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Plymouth, England, United Kingdom

8/5/2025

To work within a multi-disciplinary team to provide a high-quality speech and language assessment service for children suspected of having an autism spectrum condition, both pre-school and school-age (up to 18 years of age). Within this, you will be using standardised and non standardised means of assessment to form an informed opinion on communication skills. This will include assessments conducted in clinic, preschool and school settings, utilising a range of tools depending on the young person’s age and development.

To work as part of a wider multidisciplinary team, under the direction of the Band 7 Speech and Language Therapist and Advanced Clinical Practitioner to ensure the delivery of speech & language assessment services based at the Child Development Centre. This may include development skills in supporting young people with other speech, language, communication or feeding needs such as dysphagia.

Please note that the Children’s Speech & Language Service in Plymouth is delivered by Livewell Southwest. While we maintain a close working relationship with this service, this post is within a separate service and is not part of this wider community team.

Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS at Risk staff throughout Devon who is able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.

To provide an expert speech & language opinion on young people being assessed for a possible autism spectrum condition in conjunction with the wider multi-disciplinary team.

To maintain expert knowledge relating to assessment and support for young people with an autism spectrum condition, sharing this with others both within and external to the team.

There is potential to develop skills in Paediatric Dysphagia for in-patients. This may involve devising and delivering individualised management plans and liaison with the community speech and language therapy team for follow up.

We are a people business – where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Natalie Bagwell Job title: Trainee ACP in Speech and Language Email address: [email protected] Telephone number: 01752 439421