Clinical Lead Speech

Please note: Previous applicants need not apply.

Band: 7

Location: Based at Wayside House, Coventry - Community Caseload across Coventry and Warwickshire

Hours: 30 Hours

Job Overview

Are you passionate about celebrating neurodiversity and empowering individuals to thrive in their own communication style?

We are seeking a dynamic and compassionate Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join our multidisciplinary neurodevelopmental team.

In this role, you will work primarily with autistic adults and adults with ADHD, offering neuro-affirmative assessment, diagnosis contribution, and communication-focused interventions.

You will take a lead in developing high-quality, inclusive clinical pathways, supporting colleagues, and shaping a service that truly reflects the voices of the people we serve.

You'll be joining a collaborative, values-led service that works alongside clients, their families, and partner agencies to build on strengths, reduce barriers, and foster authentic communication in all areas of life.

Lead and develop speech and language therapy provision within the adult neurodevelopmental pathway, in partnership with operational leads.

Provide specialist assessment, diagnostic assessment, and intervention for adults with neurodevelopmental conditions, with a focus on communication strengths and needs.

Work neuro-affirmatively, avoiding deficit-based models and supporting identity-positive approaches.

Deliver individual interventions, as well as education for clients, partners, families, and carers.

Supervise and mentor other SLTs, students, and wider MDT colleagues.

Collaborate with multidisciplinary and multi-agency teams across health, social care, education, employment, and third sector organisations.

Take a lead role in quality improvement, service innovation, and development of neuro-affirmative clinical pathways

Write clear, accessible reports and contribute to statutory assessments where required.

Manage and prioritise your own caseload, ensuring timely, person-centred care.

Participate in training, research, and continuous professional development to maintain clinical excellence.

At Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust (CWPT), we deliver a wide range of physical, mental health, learning disability and autism services, and are proud to serve communities across Coventry, Warwickshire and beyond.

We put 'people at our heart'; this ethos is at the centre of everything we do and how we do it. We care for our staff and colleagues as much as they care for others and offer a wide range of benefits and development opportunities.

These include:

• generous annual leave entitlement which increases during your time with us
• excellent learning and development opportunities, including apprenticeship frameworks, distance learning, internal training, coaching and mentoring, and much more
• salary sacrifice schemes for lease car/ vehicle, Cycle to Work, home and electronics, gym membership and more
• discounts with a range of retailers, restaurants and entertainment venues through our Employee Assistance Programme and NHS discount schemes
• wellbeing support, including an in-house counselling service, external helpline and more
• staff networks and support groups

We're always on the lookout for people who share our passion for improving the lives and wellbeing of people in our community, as well as our values of compassion, collaboration, excellence, integrity and respect.

To lead, develop, and deliver a high-quality, neuro-affirmative Speech and Language Therapy service within the adult neurodevelopmental pathway, working in partnership with multidisciplinary colleagues, service leads, and partner agencies.

The postholder will provide specialist assessment, intervention, and diagnosis contribution for autistic adults and adults with ADHD, focusing on authentic communication, participation, and strengths-based support. They will also lead on service improvement, staff supervision, and pathway development, ensuring that all work is inclusive, evidence-based, and identity-affirming.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Leadership & Service Developmen t

Lead and coordinate SLT provision within the adult neurodevelopmental service, embedding neuro-affirmative and strengths-based principles into all practice.

Work with operational leads, AHP professional leads, and multidisciplinary colleagues to design, deliver, and review integrated clinical pathways.

Take a lead role in service innovation, quality improvement, and evaluation, using outcome measures that reflect participation, wellbeing, and client priorities.

Act as a clinical pathway lead where appropriate, ensuring seamless multidisciplinary coordination.

Clinical Practice

Undertake specialist assessment of speech, language, and communication skills, using both standardised tools and flexible, client-led approaches.

Contribute to the multidisciplinary diagnosis of neurodevelopmental conditions, communicating outcomes sensitively and clearly.

Provide individual and group therapy supporting authentic communication, self-advocacy, and participation in everyday life.

Develop and share communication management plans for implementation by assistants, support workers, and other professionals.

Provide accessible advice, guidance, and training to clients, partners, families, and carers.

Supervision, Training & Support

Supervise SLTs, assistants, students, and other clinicians, including competency sign-off, appraisals, and clinical development.

Deliver neuro-affirmative communication training to the wider workforce, partner agencies, and student SLTs.

Participate in and lead training sessions, both internally and externally, to promote inclusive communication practice.

Collaboration & Multi-Agency Working

Work closely with multidisciplinary colleagues (psychology, psychiatry, occupational therapy, nursing, etc.) to ensure coordinated and effective care.

Liaise with external agencies, including education providers, employers, and voluntary sector organisations, to advocate for communication access and inclusion.

Attend and contribute to MDT meetings, case conferences, and professional forums.

Professional Standards & Record Keeping

Maintain accurate, timely, and GDPR-compliant clinical records, reports, and data entries.

Keep up to date with research, legislation, and professional guidance relevant to neuro-affirmative practice.

Maintain professional registration with the HCPC and adhere to the RCSLT code of ethics.

Participate in continuous professional development, reflective practice, and clinical supervision.

Other Responsibilities

Contribute to the development and evaluation of accessible, inclusive clinical resources and service information.

Use negotiation and conflict resolution skills to manage complex situations with clients, families, and professionals.

Act as an ambassador for the SLT profession and the Trust, promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion at all times.

Person Specification – Summary

Essential

HCPC registration as a Speech and Language Therapist.

Experience working with autistic adults and/or adults with ADHD.

Strong understanding of neuro-affirmative, strengths-based approaches.

Experience in assessment, intervention, and collaborative MDT working.

Skills in staff supervision, mentoring, or training.

Excellent communication skills across a range of formats and audiences.

Desirable

Experience in service development or quality improvement projects.

Competence in Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC).

Knowledge of relevant legislation and national guidance relating to neurodevelopmental services.