Head of Speech and Language Therapy

Job summary

Are you a passionate Speech and Language Therapist looking for an exciting leadership opportunity? We are seeking a compassionate Head of Service for Speech and Language Therapy, where your expertise and strategic vision will shape the delivery of care for children, young people, adults and families across South Tyneside and Sunderland.

In this role, you'll provide guidance, leadership, and support to a talented team, helping to deliver high-quality Speech and Language Therapy across Adults, Children and Young People.

If you're looking for a role where you can make a real difference, lead with warmth, and work alongside a supportive and caring team, we'd love to hear from you!

You will be a passionate clinical leader with a strong knowledge of the Speech and Language Therapy landscape. You will be a visible and compassionate leader who is solution-focused, able to work effectively as part of a team, and able to identify and lead change to maximise opportunities.

You will be a voice and champion for the SaLT team, working with staff and other Heads of Service to ensure they are closely integrated with the other clinical teams.

You will work closely with Directorate Manager, Clinical Director for Therapies and other Heads of Service across the Directorate, supporting with senior leadership tasks.

Main duties of the job

You will provide strategic and professional leadership across Speech and Language Therapy services for South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT), working with the Clinical Leads to plan, implement and monitor service delivery of highly specialist, evidence-based care across the Trust.

• You will as Professional Head of Speech & Language Therapy, will have professional responsibility and accountability for Speech & Language Therapists.
• You will as Professional Lead represent Speech and Language Therapy in all relevant internal meetings with Senior Managers, Clinical Directors and externally including partner organisations, HEIs, commissioners and across the wider South Tyneside and Sunderland footprint.
• You will maintain a clinical role as an expert practitioner in their specialist clinical area and level of practice (specialist, advance practice, consultant level).

You will be expected to have a clear understanding of how this Post contributes to the achievement of the Trust vision of delivering Excellence in All That We Do. STSFT is a thriving Foundation Trust at the heart of an integrated healthcare system that delivers improved patient care at a community and hospital settings. STSFT encourages research, education and employee engagement. We expect all our staff to share the values that are important to the Trust.

About us

Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.

Details

• Date posted: 02 September 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 8b
• Salary: £66,582 to £77,368 a year
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: C9155-CSAHP-0926-04-1
• Job locations: Sunderland Royal Hospital, Kayll Road, Sunderland, SR4 7TP, United Kingdom, STSFT, Sunderland Children's Centre, Durham Road, Sunderland, SR4 3AG, United Kingdom, Palmer Community Hospital, Wear Street, JARROW, Tyne And Wear, NE32 3UX, United Kingdom, STSFT, South Tyneside District Hospital, South Shields, NE34 0PL, United Kingdom, STSFT, Cleadon Park PCC, The Nook, South Shields, NE34 8PS, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

To be responsible for the overall management, leadership, strategic planning and development and delivery of Adult and Childrens Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) within and out with the organisation

PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.

UK Registration

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

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).