Speech and Language Team Lead

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is one of the largest healthcare systems in the United Kingdom, employing approximately 40,000 staff across a wide range of clinical and non-clinical professions and roles. We deliver acute hospital, primary, community and mental health services to a population of over 1.15 million people, and to a wider population of 2.2 million when regional and national services are included.

The role:

The Community Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy service provides triage, assessment, diagnosis, treatment and advice, guidance and support for parents and families of children with a wide range of speech, language and/or communication needs including Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Hearing Impairment, Phonological Disorders, Dysfluency, Additional Support Needs and Language Disorder. The service will be managed within the appropriate delegated general management structure in CHPs/ CHCPs, with overall responsibility lying with the Head of Primary Care and Community Services or Head of Children and Families Services who will also retain responsibility for SLT policy development. The provision of speech and language services to local education authorities will be managed through Service Level Contracts that will be shaped and informed by the agreed NHS GGC SLT Service Specification and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

The service focus is to deliver on a consistent basis across all 6 service areas:

• an SLT practice framework underpinned and supported by Care Aims and Clinical Supervision;
• coherent arrangements for Practice Development (through Practice Development Networks);
• coherent working with other services, particularly with Children and Family Team areas, shifting and delivering the service balance towards stage one work and more direct clinical time;
• improving access to the service via a front end triage model, effective case allocation, case management, and discharge management supporting achievement of agreed local waiting times;
• improving the service balance by shifting the balance of work towards more stage 1/pre -referral work, changes in workforce skill mix, and releasing more clinical time;
• improving service performance through an agreed service specification and related key performance indicators.

Duration, Location, and Working Pattern:

Fixed Term, Part time

Barrhead Health and Care Centre

Shift Pattern - Monday-Friday

Key responsibilities:

o Lead and manage SLT team within a designated locality, overseeing caseload allocation, waiting lists, and clinical practice.o Provide day-to-day supervision, staff development, KSF reviews, attendance management, recruitment, and first-line disciplinary actions as delegated.o Liaise with other Team Leads and staff to ensure consistent SLT service provision across NHS GG&C.o Maintain efficient clinical practice, accurate records, and provide statistical/activity reports.o Implement Care Aims framework and facilitate team problem-solving, negotiation, and peer review skills.o Hold authorised signatory status for travel, duty sheets, leave, and maintain staff records.o Act as first point of contact for complaints/enquiries and support service improvements.o Ensure staff have annual reviews, Personal Development Plans, CPD, and training needs met.o Support compliance with professional standards, policies, clinical guidelines, Health Professions Council guidance, and health & safety requirements.o Deliver in-service and induction training; support newly qualified therapists and supervise student placements.o Participate in SLT networks, locality/GGC meetings, and promote multi-disciplinary and inter-agency collaboration.

Clinical Responsibilities

o Manage and prioritise own caseload, assessing client risk and need.o Assess, diagnose, and provide therapy to children with speech, language, and communication difficulties, including complex cases.o Review referrals with team, referring to other agencies as appropriate.o Evaluate therapy programmes, monitor progress, and make autonomous discharge decisions.o Maintain accurate client records, ensuring confidentiality and Data Protection compliance; provide written/verbal reports.o Collaborate with education staff, families, and medical teams to implement IEPs/goals and multi-professional plans.o Attend and contribute to uni- and multi-professional meetings and case conferences.o Access CPD opportunities and participate in audit, research, and national/local projects.o Work within departmental/national protocols, RCSLT standards, and comply with health & safety policies and statutory requirements.

Knowledge, training, qualifications and/or experience required to do the job:

• Appropriate Ordinary/Honours degree in Speech and Language Pathology or equivalent diploma.
• Certificate to Practice as a Speech and Language Therapist as awarded by the RCSLT.
• Registration with RCSLT and Health Professions Council (HPC) (as a condition of ongoing employment post holders are required to maintain continuous registration with these professional bodies and provide documentary evidence on an annual basis).
• Post graduate certificate in relevant clinical area or equivalent experience.
• Understanding of wider service issues, connections and priorities.
• Proven ability to work effectively in partnership.
• Experienced Speech & Language Therapist able to evidence a high level of responsibility within the service.
• Demonstrates leadership and management skills as well as ability to be a good team member, with experience in supervising staff.
• Excellent presentation skills, both written and verbal.
• Excellent organisations skills and ability to facilitate these skills in others.
• Prioritisation skills – ability to prioritise resources within clinic service area in consultation with line manager.
• Understanding and awareness of national and local policies and procedures relevant to health, social services and education.
• Understanding and awareness of a range of appropriate therapeutic tools (relevant to the service area) and an ability to compare and contrast relative benefits.

What we offer:

We offer a wide range of supportive policies designed to enhance your employee journey, including a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work Scheme, bursary scheme and extensive learning and development opportunities.

As an NHS Scotland employee, you will be entitled to:

• A minimum of 27 days annual leave, increasing with length of service, plus public holidays
• Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme, including life insurance benefits
• Development opportunities including study bursaries, e-learning and classroom-based courses
• Enhanced pay for working public holidays
• NHS discounts on a wide range of goods and services
• Confidential employee support and assistance, including counselling and psychological therapies

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, we would love to hear from you.

For an informal discussion, please contact:Fiona Higgins, SLT Manager - Fiona.Higgins2@nhs.scot - 07881 855171

Details on how to contact the Recruitment Service and the Recruitment Process: Information for candidates

This post may close early to the volume of response. Please submit your application form as soon as possible. Due to the volume of applications that we receive, we will not be able to provide shortlisting feedback.

From 1 April 2026, the Agenda for Change full-time working week will reduce from 37 hours to 36 hours. Part-time working hours will be reduced on a pro-rata basis. A corresponding increase in the hourly rate will apply, ensuring that overall pay remains unchanged.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) recognises the importance of work-life balance and is committed to offering a range of flexible working options where service needs allow. For roles where less than full-time hours can be accommodated, and where the tenure is listed as “various”, we encourage applications from individuals seeking flexible working arrangements. Flexible working will be included as a topic for discussion during the recruitment process.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde encourages applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and are proud of the diverse workforce we employ.

By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, NHSGGC has pledged its commitment to being a Forces Friendly Employer. We welcome applications from across the Armed Forces Community and recognise military skills, experience and qualifications throughout the recruitment and selection process.

Candidates must provide original and authentic responses to all questions within the application form. The use of artificial intelligence (AI), automated tools or other third-party assistance to generate, draft or significantly modify responses is strongly discouraged. By submitting your application, you confirm that all answers are your own work, reflect your personal knowledge, skills and experience, and have not been solely produced or altered by AI or similar technologies. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in your application being withdrawn from the recruitment process.

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