Advanced Practice Speech and Language Therapy - INTERNAL ONLY

NHS Scotland:

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

Note that this post is only open to internal staff of NHS Ayrshire & Arran.

Who we are:

NHS Ayrshire and Arran are one of 14 territorial NHS Boards within NHS Scotland.

In support of our core purpose of Working together to achieve the healthiest life possible for everyone in Ayrshire and Arran, we are committed to a culture that is Caring, Safe, and Respectful. You will be required to work collaboratively in a safe, caring and respectful way.

To find out more about NHS Ayrshire and Arran please visit our website - NHS Ayrshire & Arran - Home (nhsaaa.net)

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Tip: Think of AI as a helper, not a substitute. We want to understand you-not an AI tool.

Position:

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Advanced Practice Speech 7 Language Therapist based at West Road, Irvine. This post is offered on a permanent basis.

Please note that we anticipate a high level of interest in this position and may close the vacancy early once enough applications are received. Therefore, please make sure you complete and submit your application at your earliest opportunity.

Hours:

21.6 hours per week.

From 1 April 2026, the working week for NHS Agenda for Change staff in Scotland will be reduced. Full-time hours will reduce from 37 to 36 hours (pro rata for part-time staff) without loss of earnings.

UK Driving Licence:

A UK driving licence is essential for this role.

What you will do:

To deliver expert Speech and Language Therapy assessment and intervention within the CAMHS neurodevelopmental team, supporting children and young people with complex needs. The role involves managing a highly complex caseload, making timely clinical decisions and contributing to multi-disciplinary neurodevelopmental diagnostic assessments.

You will provide clinical leadership within the specialty, offering highly specialist advice, supervision, and training to colleagues and partner agencies, while working collaboratively across multidisciplinary and multi-agency teams to support effective assessment and care planning.

The post holder will play a key role in identifying and managing clinical risk, contributing to robust escalation processes, and supporting children, young people, and families with neurodevelopmental conditions.

You will also contribute to service development through leading training, clinical audit, research, and governance activities within the CAMHS neurodevelopmental pathway.

Approximately 70% of the role is focused on direct and indirect clinical work, with 30% dedicated to professional leadership and service development.

For further information on the role please click the link below to view the job description.

Knowledge, training and/or experience required for this post:

• University Degree or equivalent (3 years ordinary degree/4 years honours degree) in Speech and Language Pathology.
• Certificate to practise from HCPC (Health Care Professions Council).
• Membership of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (desirable).
• Evidence of relevant post-graduate education and development to Masters Level.
• Advanced level of specialist knowledge gained over a significant period of time and including regular attendance at specialist courses, specific interest groups.
• Leadership training.
• Proven experience in supervising and managing staff.
• Evidence of audit and research activity.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Evidence of maintaining and improving own competency to practice through continuing professional development activities.
• Car driver essential

For further information on the requirements for the role please click the link below to view the person specification.

If you would like to find out more about the role, please contact Taryn Loutit, N-CAMHS Service Manager on 01294 322046 or Lauren Gardiner, CAMHS & CEDS Interim Service Manager on 01294 323425..

Right to Work / Certificates of Sponsorship

To work in the United Kingdom, there is a legal requirement for an individual to demonstrate that they have the relevant permission to work in the country. This permission is, without exception, granted by the UK Visa and Immigrations Service. Further information on what NHS Scotland Boards are required to do to check this as well as what your responsibilities include can be found within the attached Candidate Information Pack.

It is essential that you have checked that you either already have an appropriate right to work in the UK or that the post would be eligible to be sponsored before submitting your application form.

NHS Ayrshire & Arran may be able to offer visa sponsorship for certain roles, provided the post meets the minimum salary threshold and any other required criteria. When considering if a post meets the salary threshold for sponsorship, please note the salary advertised is based on a full-time contract and must be pro-rated for part-time positions. Sponsorship is not guaranteed and is assessed on a case-by-case basis following interview and at the commencement of pre-employment checks.

Please visit here for further information.

We are unable to provide sponsorship for bank contracts.

Additional Information for Candidates

• You should apply for this post by completing the application process on NHS Jobs Scotland.
• DO NOT upload a CV as this will not be used for shortlisting purposes.
• Posts close at midnight on the indicated date. Late applications will not be accepted.
• For help to complete an application on NHS Jobs Scotland, please follow this link: https://www.careers.nhs.scot/how-to-apply/application-process/
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• Once you have submitted your application form you will be unable to make any amendments.
• Some of our vacancies are for internal candidates only. If you are a staff member, please ensure you update your NHS Jobs Scotland account profile to reflect that you are employed by NHS Ayrshire and Arran.
• Please note, for all vacancies where a driving licence is required this must be a full UK/EU/EEA licence.