Job requirements
Essential
8 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Qualifications and Training
Post-graduate dysphagia qualification
- Qualifications and Training
HCPC Registration
- Qualifications and Training
Degree level qualifications recognised by RCSLT
- Skills, Knowledge and Experience
Experience working with children with complex needs
- Skills, Knowledge and Experience
Experience working in paediatric dysphagia
- Skills, Knowledge and Experience
Experience of line management
- Skills, Knowledge and Experience
Experience as a Children’s Therapist with significant experience of working in a community setting
- Skills, Knowledge and Experience
Ability to implement treatment of children and young people with highly complex developmental, neurological and/or sensory conditions
Desirable
3 listedAdditional qualities the employer would prefer.
- Skills, Knowledge and Experience
Experience working with children with ABI
- Skills, Knowledge and Experience
Under 1s dysphagia competencies
- Skills, Knowledge and Experience
Experience of working with children/ young people who require adapted / alternative methods of communication (e.g. Makaton)
Job overview
Are you passionate about working with children with complex needs? We are looking for an experienced, dysphagia qualified Speech and Language Therapist to manage a caseload of children aged 0-18 with complex eating, drinking, swallowing and communication needs, including those resulting from acquired brain injury (ABI). You will be supported by the Clinical Lead for Dysphagia and the School Age Complex Needs Team Lead. You will also have support from the neurorehabilitation Speech and Language Therapy Lead at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.
The Children’s Therapy Services identify, assess, support and manage the health needs of children and young people aged 0-18 years, working closely with children and their families in health settings and family homes; and with education colleagues in early years and school settings.
You will work across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire supporting pre-school children with complex needs and their families in the community, as well as children of all ages with ABI. Strong dysphagia competencies and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) knowledge are required. You will see children for uni-professional appointments and as part of our multi-disciplinary child centred assessments.
Main duties of the job
- A highly specialist clinical practitioner, being a source of expertise, providing support, supervision, teaching, advice and consultation across BNSSG. You will offer highly specialist clinical expertise within complex needs and dysphagia and carry your own highly specialist caseload.
- You will triage new referrals to the team alongside other band 7 practitioners, according to agreed referral criteria.
- You will be responsible for line managing junior colleagues
- You will independently manage the small ABI caseload across BNSSG, liaising with the hospital neurorehabilitation team as required.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the attached Job Description for a full list of duties and responsibilities before applying for this position.
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.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Speech & Language Therapist Complex Needs & Dysphagia (including ABI) with Sirona care & health CIC in Bristol. It is listed as a Speech and Language Therapist role. The advertised salary is £49387.00 to £56515.00. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 26 Oct 2026.
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