Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Job Summary

We have an opportunity for a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to work as a Clinical Lead in Pembrokeshire. The role involves working primarily with pre‑school children presenting a range of communication needs, including complex needs and eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties. It also includes line‑management responsibilities for staff within the service, providing day‑to‑day support, supervision, and service development. Clinically, the post holder will manage a specialist caseload, triage new referrals, and occasionally extend support to families in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion.

The successful applicant will identify opportunities for service development and will become part of the supportive SLT Service within Hywel Dda University Health Board, with full training and support available.

• Directly line‑manage staff working for the SLT service, working together with Service Leads and colleagues to support equitable service provision and development.
• Use demonstrable coaching and facilitative skills to enable the team to provide high‑quality clinical services and to think outside of traditional boundaries of service provision and development.
• Work with other SLT staff to ensure operational and clinical service development are joined together.
• Respond innovatively to service pressures and prioritise service activities according to local needs.
• Provide leadership and strategic oversight of service areas to provide equitability and accessibility of support and timely intervention.
• Manage a highly specialist clinical caseload, supporting children with complex needs and/or eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties, manage waiting times and triage new referrals.
• Provide supervision, advice and second opinions to more junior colleagues.

Ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post;
English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and bordering counties. We have over 13,000 staff and provide primary, community, in‑hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services, working in partnership with local authorities and a variety of community settings.

• Posted: 04 February 2026
• Pay: £48,527 to £55,532 a year per annum (pro rata if part time)
• Contract:
  
  Permanent
• Working pattern:
  Full‑time, Part‑time
• Band:
  Band 7
• Reference number: 100‑AHP
  007‑0226
• Location:
  
  Bro Preseli Community Care Resource Centre, Heol Parc y Ffair, Crymych, SA41 3SJ
• Interviews will be held on 04/03/2026

The full job description and person specification are attached in the supporting documents. The Health Board is committed to supporting staff in embracing bilingualism to enhance patient and service user experiences. Welsh speakers are welcomed, and if you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements, the Board offers learning options and support to meet these minimal desirable requirements during employment.

Essential Qualifications and Knowledge

• Degree in Speech & Language Therapy
• Evidence of successful completion of training/specialist short courses up to Masters Degree or equivalent level, relevant to area of clinical expertise
• Understanding of implications of bilingualism on language use and development
• Knowledge of a wide range of paediatric or adult specialist assessment tools and procedures to evaluate communication skills, particularly relevant to area of clinical expertise
• Knowledge of key characteristics leading to a specialist differential diagnosis relevant to area of clinical expertise
• Knowledge of selecting, setting and evaluating specialist treatment goals
• Knowledge of a highly specialist range of therapeutic interventions relevant to specialist clinical area, and able to demonstrate the evidence base for these approaches
• Well established knowledge of legal and professional issues of confidentiality
• Knowledge of record keeping standards, data protection / Caldicott guidelines
• Knowledge of health and safety issues
• Knowledge of national policies and…