Clinical Lead: (DLD) Speech and Language Therapist

Job Advert Skip to main content Cookies on NHS Jobs We've put some small files called cookies on your device to help us make improvements to our site. To improve our site we'd also like to use cookies which will send information to Google Analytics. You can read more about our cookies before you choose. Accept analytics cookies Do not accept analytics cookies Jobs Menu Sign in Create an account English Cymraeg Menu Close menu Search Sign in Create an account Display in Welsh (Cymraeg) Search Sign in Create an account Display in Welsh (Cymraeg) BETA Your feedback will help us to improve this service. Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust Clinical Lead: (DLD) Speech and Language Therapist The closing date is 21 October 2026 Apply for this job Job summary An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and clinical lead specialist Speech and Language Therapist to lead on Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) across Children's Speech and Language Therapy Services and the local area. The postholder will provide strategic, clinical and professional leadership to ensure the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based services for children and young people with DLD. As the Clinical Lead for DLD, you will drive service development, quality improvement and innovation, while maintaining a clinical caseload of complex cases. You will provide expert assessment, diagnosis, intervention, consultation and training, support Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) processes, and work collaboratively with education, health, social care and voluntary sector partners to improve outcomes for children and families. The role also includes providing leadership, supervision and mentorship to staff and students, contributing to research, audit and service evaluation activities, and ensuring services reflect current evidence, national guidance and professional standards. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated clinician to shape and develop specialist DLD services while supporting excellence in clinical practice across the wider service. Main duties of the job Core Responsibilities of the Role Provide strategic, clinical and professional leadership for Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) services across Children's Speech and Language Therapy Services, driving service development, care pathway improvement and high-quality, evidence-based practice. Clinical / Service Delivery Provide highly specialist assessment, diagnosis, consultation and intervention for children and young people with DLD and complex communication needs, including contributing to EHCP and statutory assessment processes. Operational and Administrative Duties Maintain accurate clinical records and support service monitoring, governance, data analysis and quality improvement activities. Leadership and Management Responsibilities Provide clinical supervision, mentoring and professional leadership to staff and students, supporting workforce development and effective multi-agency working. Research and Development Lead and participate in audit, research, service evaluation and quality improvement initiatives to promote best practice and innovation. Financial Responsibility Support the effective use of staffing, equipment and service resources to ensure efficient and sustainable service delivery. Professional Development Maintain advanced specialist knowledge in DLD through ongoing professional development and contribute to the training and development of others. About us Royal Free London works within the West and North London Integrated Care System (ICS)is a partnership of organisations working together to improve health and wellbeing for everyone in west and north London. The ICS includes the NHS, local councils, voluntary groups, community organisations and many others. We join up our work so people get better care and support, wherever they live. As with other ICS's, we are working increasingly closely with partners and many of our financial and performance obje