# Clinical Lead: (DLD) Speech and Language Therapist > NHS job listing from Job Clerk for Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. ## Canonical URLs - **HTML:** https://www.jobclerk.com/job/clinical-lead-dld-speech-and-language-therapist/93b7875e-aaa4-428f-b0c3-bc7eb7f8dcbf - **Markdown:** https://www.jobclerk.com/job/clinical-lead-dld-speech-and-language-therapist/93b7875e-aaa4-428f-b0c3-bc7eb7f8dcbf.md ## Summary - **Status:** Live - **Employer:** Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust - **Location:** Royal Free Hospital - **Workplace type:** onsite - **Profession:** Speech and Language Therapist - **Grade:** Band 8 - **Salary:** £63,665 - £70,887 per annum inclusive of Outer HCAS - **Contract type:** Permanent - **Employment type:** Full time - 37.5 hours per week - **Closing date:** 2026-10-21T22:59:00.000Z - **Posted:** 2026-10-07T11:12:57.898Z - **Source information URL:** https://www.healthjobsuk.com/job/UK/London/Enfield/Royal_Free_London_NHS_Foundation_Trust/Speech_Language_Therapy/Speech_Language_Therapy-v8169650 - **Application URL:** https://apps.trac.jobs/job-advert/8169650?ShowJobAdvert=&feedid=9002 - **Employer website:** https://www.royalfree.nhs.uk ## Job Content ### Job overview An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and clinical lead specialist Speech and Language Therapist to lead on Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) across Children's Speech and Language Therapy Services and the local area. The postholder will provide strategic, clinical and professional leadership to ensure the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based services for children and young people with DLD. As the Clinical Lead for DLD, you will drive service development, quality improvement and innovation, while maintaining a clinical caseload of complex cases. You will provide expert assessment, diagnosis, intervention, consultation and training, support Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) processes, and work collaboratively with education, health, social care and voluntary sector partners to improve outcomes for children and families. The role also includes providing leadership, supervision and mentorship to staff and students, contributing to research, audit and service evaluation activities, and ensuring services reflect current evidence, national guidance and professional standards. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated clinician to shape and develop specialist DLD services while supporting excellence in clinical practice across the wider service. ### Main duties of the job Core Responsibilities of the Role Provide strategic, clinical and professional leadership for Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) services across Children's Speech and Language Therapy Services, driving service development, care pathway improvement and high-quality, evidence-based practice. Clinical / Service Delivery Provide highly specialist assessment, diagnosis, consultation and intervention for children and young people with DLD and complex communication needs, including contributing to EHCP and statutory assessment processes. Operational and Administrative Duties Maintain accurate clinical records and support service monitoring, governance, data analysis and quality improvement activities. Leadership and Management Responsibilities Provide clinical supervision, mentoring and professional leadership to staff and students, supporting workforce development and effective multi-agency working. Research and Development Lead and participate in audit, research, service evaluation and quality improvement initiatives to promote best practice and innovation. Financial Responsibility Support the effective use of staffing, equipment and service resources to ensure efficient and sustainable service delivery. Professional Development Maintain advanced specialist knowledge in DLD through ongoing professional development and contribute to the training and development of others. ### Detailed job description and main responsibilities - Act as the Clinical Lead for Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) across Children's Speech and Language Therapy Services. - Provide strategic, clinical and professional leadership for the development and delivery of high-quality DLD services. - Lead service developments, care pathways and quality improvement initiatives relating to children and young people with Developmental Language Disorder and associated speech, language and communication needs. - Promote evidence-based practice and ensure clinical services reflect current research, national guidance and professional standards. - Contribute to strategic planning and service transformation to improve outcomes for children and young people with speech, language and communication needs. - Provide highly specialist assessment, differential diagnosis, consultation and intervention for children and young people presenting with Developmental Language Disorder and complex speech, language and communication needs. - Provide specialist advice and second opinions for complex cases, statutory assessments and Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments. - Develop and implement highly specialist intervention programmes informed by evidence-based practice and outcome measurement. - Produce high-quality reports for EHCPs, annual reviews, placement consultations and tribunal proceedings as required. - Support the development of communication-friendly environments within educational and community settings. - Ensure delivery of safe, effective and person-centred services that promote meaningful participation and improved outcomes. - Maintain accurate, contemporaneous and legally compliant clinical records in line with Trust, HCPC and RCSLT standards. - Monitor and evaluate service activity, performance and outcomes and provide reports as required. - Contribute to policy, protocol and pathway development within the service. - Ensure compliance with safeguarding, information governance and risk management requirements. - Provide professional leadership, clinical supervision and mentorship to therapists, assistants and students. - Support workforce planning, recruitment, induction, retention and staff development. - Lead and facilitate clinical networks, communities of practice and professional forums. - Contribute to appraisal and performance development processes. - Lead projects and working groups as delegated by the Service Manager. - Develop effective partnerships with education, health, social care and voluntary sector organisations. - Lead and participate in audit, service evaluation, quality improvement and research projects. - Promote the use of outcome measures and data-driven service improvements. - Disseminate research findings and learning through presentations, publications and training activities. - Maintain awareness of emerging evidence and developments relating to Developmental Language Disorder. - Exercise responsibility for the safe and appropriate use of clinical resources and equipment. - Contribute to efficient use of staffing and service resources. - Support cost-effective service delivery through service planning and evaluation. - Maintain advanced specialist knowledge in Developmental Language Disorder through continuing professional development (for example, through NAPLIC membership and conference attendance) - Participate in appraisal and personal development review processes. - Undertake relevant training, research, networking and leadership development activities. ### Applicant requirements You must have appropriate UK professional registration. This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service. ## Person Specification ### SKILLS AND ABILITIES **Essential** - Advanced specialist clinical skills in Developmental Language - Ability to manage highly complex cases and make autonomous clinical decisions - High-quality report writing and presentation skills - Ability to communicate complex information clearly to a range of audiences - Strong organisational, prioritisation and project management skills ### EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE **Essential** - Significant post-registration experience working with children and young people with speech, language and communication needs - Extensive experience of assessment and intervention for Developmental Language Disorder - Experience of differential diagnosis and complex case management - Experience contributing to EHCP assessments and statutory processes - Experience providing clinical supervision, **Desirable** - Experience of research, audit or service evaluation ### EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS **Essential** - Degree or recognised qualification in Speech and Language Therapy - HCPC Registered. - Registered Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists - Evidence of substantial postgraduate training or experience relevant to Developmental Language Disorder and associated SLCN **Desirable** - Leadership/management qualification or equivalent experience ## Documents - [jd dld 8a (pdf, 320.2kb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?vdoc=10476003) - [ps dld 8a (pdf, 189.2kb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?vdoc=10476004) - [ecs_functional requirements (pdf, 396.4kb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?vdoc=10471639) - [allied health professional - benefits, about rfl, shared commitments and governing objectives (pdf, 637.7kb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?edoc=2752) - [corporate, admin & clerical, other - benefits, about rfl, shared commitments and governing objectives (pdf, 646.2kb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?edoc=2753) ## Agent Notes - This Markdown page is generated from the same Job Clerk job record as the HTML job detail page. - Use the canonical HTML URL for user-facing references. - Use the application URL when the user wants to apply on the source NHS site.