Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Speech and Language Therapist with experience and interest in further developing their specialist skills within Developmental Language Disorders and Autism. The service is based within Oxford Children's Hospital. You will be working as part of a well-established multidisciplinary team offering input to children and young people referred to the Multi-Disciplinary Assessment Team via the Community Paediatric Service. Providing education and teaching is a core aspect of the role. Line Management will be provided by the Team Lead for Children's Therapies and Clinical supervision will be sourced according to the experience and needs of the post holder.

Main duties of the job

Primary role to include assessment, intervention, consultation, undertaking research and audit, supervision, and training.

To work as an integral member of the Community Paediatric Multi-Disciplinary Assessment Team

To support the Children's Therapies Team Lead with service evaluation, benchmarking, data collection and other delegated tasks

To stay up to date with the evolving evidence base in Developmental Language Disorders and Autistic Spectrum Disorders

About us

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community.We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence, and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence.These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via theOUH YouTube channel.

In 2023NHS England launched its first sexual safety charter, and our Trust proudly signed it. We pledge zero tolerance for inappropriate sexual behaviour and commit to the ten core principles Oxford University Hospitals promotes a safe, respectful hiring environment. If you want to make a difference with us, come and join our team. Together, we will uphold the highest standards of care and professionalism.

Details

Date posted

16 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£49,387 to £56,515 a year pro rata per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

321-NOTSS-8280269-B7-A

Job locations

John Radcliffe Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre

Oxford Children's Hospital

Oxford

OX39DU

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Tasks and Responsibilities:

CLINICAL:

To utilise a range of formal and informal approaches to assess the childs communication and interaction skills and to support the MDT in identifying cognitive, behavioural and emotional needs, and to inform subsequent diagnosis. treatment and intervention.

Maintain an in-depth, comprehensive knowledge of speech, language, cognitive,

communication and behavioural presentations resulting from a range of conditions including but not restricted to Autism, early infant experience and the impact of medical conditions.

Access and provide regular opportunities for reliability and calibration of ADOS delivery through activities such as: consensus coding; peer observation and feedback; clinical discussion, to maintain quality standards in administration and analysis.

Based on assessment results provide advice and where required support colleagues to develop and implement highly specialist time limited programmes of intervention/support appropriate to the needs of children and their families.

Delivery of post diagnostic support to families, including Autism information sessions.

Work closely with members of the MDT to holistically identify the range of needs of the child and family.

To communicate effectively, empathetically, and clearly with patients, families and carers regarding issues that are frequently highly complicated and emotionally charged. This may require managing difficulties in understanding, or overcoming communication difficulties with patients, family, or carers.

To communicate effectively and clearly with clinical colleagues regarding assessments and interventions by organizing and putting across information in a relevant and usable form in both written and spoken reports, as well as in day-to day liaison.

To critically reflect on own and others performance and use this evaluation to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, and quality of future practice.

To identify own training needs and to keep skills up to date.

To continue to meet the clinical competencies and continuing professional development standards according to HCPC and RCSLT.

To demonstrate good organisational skills in terms of time and caseload management.

To appropriately seek and use supervision to review complex case material, develop skills, plan continuing professional development, set learning targets and address any issues which may be relevant to the fulfillment of your role.

In carrying out the duties of the post, to cope with and manage challenging behaviour at times, including verbal abuse and risk of physical aggression (for example from children with learning disability, ADHD, pronounced behavioural and/or emotional difficulties).

To behave in a professional manner at all times

To exercise standard keyboard skills and operate electronic equipment such as tablets and laptops for video recording and digital training.

To engage with Community Speech and Language Therapy colleagues to maintain links to facilitate an integrated approach to assessment and diagnosis for children with suspected Developmental Language Disorders and Autistic Spectrum Disorders.

CONSULTATION:

To provide expertise and specialist paediatric speech and language therapy advice and consultation to other professionals in relation to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and care.

RESEARCH:

To carry out and co-operate in audit/service-related projects.

To monitor and evaluate clinical effectiveness and evidence-based practice using appropriate outcome measures.

To participate in research conducted within the department in discussion with the Childrens Therapies Lead and MDA Lead.

To use computer software in developing and operating systems for storage and analysis of data and creation of reports for colleagues in relation to audit activities and clinical research.

TEACHING, TRAINING AND SUPERVISION:

To provide teaching and training to other professional colleagues/staff groups at local, and national level.

To present on relevant research/practice at events/forums.

To provide student education and create an appropriate learning environment for placement-based education.

To provide regular clinical and/or peer supervision to colleagues within the team.

MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP

To provide Line Management support within the team.

To provide governance, strategic and recruitment support as requested to the Childrens Therapies Team Lead, Head of Childrens Therapies and Lead Consultant for Community Paediatrics.

To fully engage in the OUH Trust and Team strategies including five-year plans

To attend Trust working parties as requested by the Service Lead to contribute to strategic service and times Trust wide development.

ADMINISTRATIVE/ORGANISATIONAL:

To take part in service/departmental policy implementation and development (by for example actively working on policy implementation, as well as raising issues and proposing and discussing changes).

To manage own time effectively within the demands of the service

To ensure timely recording in patients records using paper and electronic systems

Work across the Trust to support gaps in service as identified by the Lead for the service, as required.

Input data into the database including outcome measures.

GENERAL:

To observe personal duty of care in relation to equipment and resources, such as computer equipment, and psychometric test materials.

To maintain effective paper and electronic records and develop information recording systems as appropriate in performing the duties of the job.

General Conditions

Risk Management

The management of risk is the responsibility of everyone and will be achieved within a progressive, honest and open environment.

Staff will be provided with the necessary education, training and support to enable them to meet this responsibility.

Staff should be familiar with the

Major Incident Policy

Fire Policy

Information governance

and should make themselves familiar with the local response plan and their role within that response.

Responsibilities for Health and Safety

The post holder is responsible for ensuring that all duties and responsibilities of this post are carried out in compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, Statutory Regulations and Trust Policies and Procedures. This will be supported by the provision of training and specialist advice where required.

Infection Control

Infection Control is everyones responsibility. All staff, both clinical and non-clinical, are required to adhere to the Trusts Infection Prevention and Control Policies and make every effort to maintain high standards of infection control at all times thereby reducing the burden of Healthcare Associated Infections including MRSA.

All staff employed by OUH have the following key responsibilities:

Staff must wash their hands or use alcohol gel on entry and exit from all clinical areas and/or between each patient contact.

Staff members have a duty to attend mandatory infection control training provided for them by the Trust.

Staff members who develop an infection (other than common colds and illness) that may be transmittable to patients have a duty to contact Occupational Health.

Child Protection

The post holder will endeavour at all times to uphold the rights of children and young people in accordance with the UN Convention Rights of the Child.

Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults

The Trust is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults throughout the organisation. As a member of the trust there is a duty to assist in protecting patients and their families from any form of harm when they are vulnerable.

Information Governance

All staff must complete annual information governance training. If you have a Trust email account this can be completed on-line, otherwise you must attend a classroom session. For further details, go to the Information Governance intranet site.

Data Quality

Data quality is a vital element of every member of staffs job role. Oxford University Hospitals recognises the importance of information in the provision of patient care and in reporting on its performance. Data quality is therefore crucial in ensuring complete, timely and accurate information is available in support of patient care, clinical governance, performance management, service planning, and financial and resource planning and performance.

All staff should ensure that they have read and understood the Trusts Data Quality Policy.

Job description Job responsibilities Main Tasks and Responsibilities: CLINICAL: To utilise a range of formal and informal approaches to assess the childs communication and interaction skills and to support the MDT in identifying cognitive, behavioural and emotional needs, and to inform subsequent diagnosis. treatment and intervention. Maintain an in-depth, comprehensive knowledge of speech, language, cognitive, communication and behavioural presentations resulting from a range of conditions including but not restricted to Autism, early infant experience and the impact of medical conditions. Access and provide regular opportunities for reliability and calibration of ADOS delivery through activities such as: consensus coding; peer observation and feedback; clinical discussion, to maintain quality standards in administration and analysis. Based on assessment results provide advice and where required support colleagues to develop and implement highly specialist time limited programmes of intervention/support appropriate to the needs of children and their families. Delivery of post diagnostic support to families, including Autism information sessions. Work closely with members of the MDT to holistically identify the range of needs of the child and family. To communicate effectively, empathetically, and clearly with patients, families and carers regarding issues that are frequently highly complicated and emotionally charged. This may require managing difficulties in understanding, or overcoming communication difficulties with patients, family, or carers. To communicate effectively and clearly with clinical colleagues regarding assessments and interventions by organizing and putting across information in a relevant and usable form in both written and spoken reports, as well as in day-to day liaison. To critically reflect on own and others performance and use this evaluation to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, and quality of future practice. To identify own training needs and to keep skills up to date. To continue to meet the clinical competencies and continuing professional development standards according to HCPC and RCSLT. To demonstrate good organisational skills in terms of time and caseload management. To appropriately seek and use supervision to review complex case material, develop skills, plan continuing professional development, set learning targets and address any issues which may be relevant to the fulfillment of your role. In carrying out the duties of the post, to cope with and manage challenging behaviour at times, including verbal abuse and risk of physical aggression (for example from children with learning disability, ADHD, pronounced behavioural and/or emotional difficulties). To behave in a professional manner at all times To exercise standard keyboard skills and operate electronic equipment such as tablets and laptops for video recording and digital training. To engage with Community Speech and Language Therapy colleagues to maintain links to facilitate an integrated approach to assessment and diagnosis for children with suspected Developmental Language Disorders and Autistic Spectrum Disorders. CONSULTATION: To provide expertise and specialist paediatric speech and language therapy advice and consultation to other professionals in relation to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and care. RESEARCH: To carry out and co-operate in audit/service-related projects. To monitor and evaluate clinical effectiveness and evidence-based practice using appropriate outcome measures. To participate in research conducted within the department in discussion with the Childrens Therapies Lead and MDA Lead. To use computer software in developing and operating systems for storage and analysis of data and creation of reports for colleagues in relation to audit activities and clinical research. TEACHING, TRAINING AND SUPERVISION: To provide teaching and training to other professional colleagues/staff groups at local, and national level. To present on relevant research/practice at events/forums. To provide student education and create an appropriate learning environment for placement-based education. To provide regular clinical and/or peer supervision to colleagues within the team. MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP To provide Line Management support within the team. To provide governance, strategic and recruitment support as requested to the Childrens Therapies Team Lead, Head of Childrens Therapies and Lead Consultant for Community Paediatrics. To fully engage in the OUH Trust and Team strategies including five-year plans To attend Trust working parties as requested by the Service Lead to contribute to strategic service and times Trust wide development. ADMINISTRATIVE/ORGANISATIONAL: To take part in service/departmental policy implementation and development (by for example actively working on policy implementation, as well as raising issues and proposing and discussing changes). To manage own time effectively within the demands of the service To ensure timely recording in patients records using paper and electronic systems Work across the Trust to support gaps in service as identified by the Lead for the service, as required. Input data into the database including outcome measures. GENERAL: To observe personal duty of care in relation to equipment and resources, such as computer equipment, and psychometric test materials. To maintain effective paper and electronic records and develop information recording systems as appropriate in performing the duties of the job. General Conditions Risk Management The management of risk is the responsibility of everyone and will be achieved within a progressive, honest and open environment. Staff will be provided with the necessary education, training and support to enable them to meet this responsibility. Staff should be familiar with the Major Incident Policy Fire Policy Information governance and should make themselves familiar with the local response plan and their role within that response. Responsibilities for Health and Safety The post holder is responsible for ensuring that all duties and responsibilities of this post are carried out in compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, Statutory Regulations and Trust Policies and Procedures. This will be supported by the provision of training and specialist advice where required. Infection Control Infection Control is everyones responsibility. All staff, both clinical and non-clinical, are required to adhere to the Trusts Infection Prevention and Control Policies and make every effort to maintain high standards of infection control at all times thereby reducing the burden of Healthcare Associated Infections including MRSA. All staff employed by OUH have the following key responsibilities: Staff must wash their hands or use alcohol gel on entry and exit from all clinical areas and/or between each patient contact. Staff members have a duty to attend mandatory infection control training provided for them by the Trust. Staff members who develop an infection (other than common colds and illness) that may be transmittable to patients have a duty to contact Occupational Health. Child Protection The post holder will endeavour at all times to uphold the rights of children and young people in accordance with the UN Convention Rights of the Child. Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults The Trust is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults throughout the organisation. As a member of the trust there is a duty to assist in protecting patients and their families from any form of harm when they are vulnerable. Information Governance All staff must complete annual information governance training. If you have a Trust email account this can be completed on-line, otherwise you must attend a classroom session. For further details, go to the Information Governance intranet site. Data Quality Data quality is a vital element of every member of staffs job role. Oxford University Hospitals recognises the importance of information in the provision of patient care and in reporting on its performance. Data quality is therefore crucial in ensuring complete, timely and accurate information is available in support of patient care, clinical governance, performance management, service planning, and financial and resource planning and performance. All staff should ensure that they have read and understood the Trusts Data Quality Policy.

Person Specification

Essential and Desirable

Essential

• Degree in Speech and Language Therapy
• Experience of clinical work with children who have Developmental Language Disorder
• HCPC Registered
• Experience in individual therapy work with families and group work
• Ability to undertake clinical and service-related audit or research consistent with the needs of the department and in keeping with the job requirements

Desirable

• Experience of direct work within the specialist component of the role
• Experience of assessment of complex and varying communication profiles
• Experience of contributing to diagnostic decision making

Person Specification Essential and Desirable Essential Degree in Speech and Language Therapy Experience of clinical work with children who have Developmental Language Disorder HCPC Registered Experience in individual therapy work with families and group work Ability to undertake clinical and service-related audit or research consistent with the needs of the department and in keeping with the job requirements Desirable Experience of direct work within the specialist component of the role Experience of assessment of complex and varying communication profiles Experience of contributing to diagnostic decision making

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

John Radcliffe Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre

Oxford Children's Hospital

Oxford

OX39DU

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

John Radcliffe Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre

Oxford Children's Hospital

Oxford

OX39DU

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)