We are seeking an enthusiastic, experienced and highly motivated Band 7 Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join our Children's Therapy Service in Merton, leading the provision for children and young people with Eating, Drinking and Swallowing (EDS) difficulties.
This is an exciting opportunity for a clinician with a passion for improving outcomes for children with complex feeding and swallowing needs. The successful candidate will provide specialist assessment, diagnosis and intervention for children and young people with a range of developmental, neurological and complex health conditions, working across community, clinic, education and home settings.
As the Eating and Drinking Lead, you will play a key role in service development, quality improvement and the implementation of evidence-based practice. You will work collaboratively with multidisciplinary colleagues, families, education settings and health partners to ensure safe, effective and person-centred care.
Key Responsibilities
Manage a highly specialist caseload of children and young people presenting with eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties.
Undertake complex clinical swallowing assessments and develop appropriate management plans.
Lead on the development and review of EDS pathways, policies and clinical guidance.
Provide expert advice and consultation to families, education staff and multidisciplinary colleagues.
Deliver training and competency programmes to health, education and care professionals.
Contribute to service development, clinical governance, audit and quality improvement initiatives.
Supervise and support junior staff, students and support workers as appropriate.
Work closely with paediatricians, dietitians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, specialist nurses, schools and other stakeholders to deliver integrated care.
We are proud to be one of the largest community healthcare providers in the country, with more than 4,500 colleagues caring for over four million people across London and Hertfordshire. Every day, our teams bring their skill, compassion, and determination to the people who depend on us.
What inspires us is at the heart of who we are: when we work together, we can help people move forward in ways that truly matter. Our teams support children as they take their first steps in life, and they stand beside adults as they rebuild strength, confidence, and independence. From newborn health visiting to community nursing, stroke rehabilitation, and palliative care, we are there for people through some of life’s most important moments.
Joining Central London Community Healthcare means becoming part of a community that lifts each other up. It means working in an organisation that values compassion, welcomes new ideas, and believes in the potential of every colleague. Your development matters here. Your wellbeing matters. Your voice helps shape the future of the care we provide.
We offer a competitive employment package because the work you do matters. At Central London Community Healthcare, you will join an inclusive organisation that invests in its people, supports development, and helps you thrive while delivering high-quality care.
Successful applicants will be required to demonstrate alignment with the Trust’s values & the behaviours aligned to those values - Accountability, Inclusion, Compassion, and Empowerment, alongside fulfilling the duties detailed in the attached Job Description and Person Specification.
