Paediatric and Neonatal Lead Speech and Language Therapist

Abide by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists & the Health Professions Council standards of proficiency. To be responsible for the assessment, diagnosis and management of children with dysphagia and feeding difficulties from 0-17 years and babies within the neonatal service, prioritising clinical needs to provide an effective and efficient service. Demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills to manage a caseload including highly complex and specialist cases, evidencing high level problem solving, reasoning skills and independence of judgement, seeking advice as appropriate.

To develop specific care plans and provide appropriate intervention using specialist knowledge to inform sound clinical judgements/decision making for case management. To provide specialist advice to others regarding the management and care of children and neonates with feeding and swallowing difficulties using evidence-based practice and outcome measures. To work closely with parents/carers and professionals to agree effective management of feeding difficulties to support safe and positive feeding development.

To comply with the safeguarding policies of the Trust, ensuring all concerns, incidents and allegations are reported in line with this. To demonstrate negotiation skills to develop effective working relationships with patients, carers and their families, and contribute to interagency/multi-disciplinary team building, developing effective working relationships with members of the multi disciplinary team, related agencies and colleagues.

To evaluate the outcomes of intervention and demonstrate clinical effectiveness, and by use of evidence-based practice and outcome measures. To maintain up-to-date and accurate case notes in line with HCPC and RCSLprofessional standards and local trust policies, including assessment results, treatment plans and reporting to source of referral and other appropriate colleagues. Reports will reflect specialist knowledge of diagnosis and