# Speech & Language Therapist Early Years Complex Needs & Dysphagia

> NHS job listing from Job Clerk for Sirona care & health CIC.

## Canonical URLs

- **HTML:** https://www.jobclerk.com/job/speech-and-language-therapist-early-years-complex-needs-and-dysphagia/43b266c7-8998-4e22-90ea-813b7da06789
- **Markdown:** https://www.jobclerk.com/job/speech-and-language-therapist-early-years-complex-needs-and-dysphagia/43b266c7-8998-4e22-90ea-813b7da06789.md

## Summary

- **Status:** Live
- **Employer:** Sirona care & health CIC
- **Town:** Bristol
- **Region:** South West
- **Country:** England
- **Profession:** Speech and Language Therapist
- **Grade:** Band 7
- **Salary:** £49,387 to £56,515

                    a year
- **Contract type:** Fixed-Term
- **Employment type:** Part-time, Job share, Flexible working
- **Closing date:** 2026-07-21T23:59:00.000Z
- **Posted:** 2026-06-25T10:14:02.106Z
- **Source information URL:** https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/B9083-26-0318?employerCode=B9083
- **Application URL:** https://apps.trac.jobs/job-advert/8104139?FromJobsNHS=1&ShowJobAdvert=

## Job Content

### Job summary

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 0-5 year olds with complex eating, drinking, swallowing and communication needs. You will be supported by the Clinical Lead for Dysphagia and the School Age Complex Needs Team Lead.

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 South Gloucestershire and Bristol supporting pre-school children with complex needs and their families in the community. The majority of the clinical work is dysphagia but there will also be some communication work, usually involving augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). You will see children for uni-professional appointments and as part of our multi-disciplinary child centred assessments.

This role is offered as a fixed-term contract for 12 months to provide maternity cover.

### 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
- This is a fixed term post for maternity leave cover.

### About us

Ever dreamt about a career that sparks excitement and fosters your professional growth? Picture yourself waking up eager to make a real difference in our community, surrounded by teams who value your unique ideas. It's time to turn your dream into reality!

We are Sirona care & health - England's largest provider of Adult's and Children's Community Services and we'd love for you to join us in Bristol, North Somerset or South Gloucestershire.

Agenda for Change Salary, full NHS benefits, 27+ days' annual leave, and participation in the NHS Pension Scheme - just a glimpse of the benefits we offer.

Whether you're starting your journey in healthcare, looking for a fresh challenge within the NHS, or contemplating a career change, don't be daunted by the prospect of something different - we create development opportunities for all our colleagues and apprentices.Interested? View our benefits leaflet which you can find as an attachment on this vacancy.

### Details

- Date posted: 25 June 2026
- Pay scheme: Agenda for change
- Band: Band 7
- Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year per annum, pro rata
- Contract: Fixed term
- Duration: 12 months
- Working pattern: Part-time, Job share, Flexible working
- Reference number: 083-8104139-WW
- Job locations: Patchway Hub, 125 Rodway Road, Patchway, Bristol, BS34 5PE, United Kingdom

### Job responsibilities

See attached Job Description and Person Specification for full list of requirements before applying to this position.

## Job Details

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 0-5 year olds with complex eating, drinking, swallowing and communication needs. You will be supported by the Clinical Lead for Dysphagia and the School Age Complex Needs Team Lead.

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 South Gloucestershire and Bristol supporting pre-school children with complex needs and their families in the community. The majority of the clinical work is dysphagia but there will also be some communication work, usually involving augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). You will see children for uni-professional appointments and as part of our multi-disciplinary child centred assessments.

This role is offered as a fixed-term contract for 12 months to provide maternity cover.

## Job Description

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

This is a fixed term post for maternity leave cover.

## Responsibilities

See attached Job Description and Person Specification for full list of requirements before applying to this position.

## Person Specification

### Qualifications

**Essential**

- Degree level qualification recognised by Professional Governing Body (Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists/Chartered Society of Physiotherapists/ Royal College of Occupational Therapists)
- HCPC Registration
- Evidence of Master Level post qualification accredited training and participation in ongoing regular CPD in area of clinical specialism (e.g. Bobath training, Post-grad accredited Dysphagia training)
- Paediatric dysphagia competencies / qualification

**Desirable**

- Under 1s competencies

### Experience & Skills

**Essential**

- Experience of line management
- Experience working with children with dysphagia
- Experience of working with children with complex needs

**Desirable**

- Experience working with under 1s with dysphagia
- Previous experience in clinical specialist role

## Documents

- [Job Description.pdf (PDF, 361 KB)](document:2970425)

## Agent Notes

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