Clinical Service Manager – Children’s Speech & Language Therapy

Staff Management:

• Manage all staff within the agreed services.
• Cross-directorate working with clinical and non-clinical staff within Children’s Services.
• Engage in multi-agency collaboration.

Budget Management:

• Manage budgets, ensuring services operate within allocated resources and address any variances.
• Support annual budget negotiation, considering planned activity and service developments.

Leadership & Performance Management:

• Provide leadership to teams, ensuring clear communication of the Trust’s values and expectations.
• Work with external partners to develop integrated service models and address inequalities.
• Ensure national and local targets (finance, governance, productivity, and performance) are met.
• Hold team leaders accountable through regular performance reviews.
• Ensure data availability to track performance and meet reporting requirements.
• Investigate complaints and implement corrective actions.
• Manage Subject Access Requests (SARS) within specified timeframes.
• Maintain environmental standards for safe, clean care delivery and embed Quality Governance.
• Oversee financial, quantity, and quality outcomes, meeting KPIs, CQUIN, and CIPs.
• Manage staff structuring to respond to service demands, ensuring flexibility.
• Monitor service performance and manage risks effectively.

Service Development:

• Ensure strategic priorities are understood by clinicians and staff.
• Lead service redesign to improve care and patient experience.
• Identify opportunities to improve service delivery through audits, surveys, and performance monitoring.
• Ensure service participation in research and evaluation projects.
• Stay updated on legislative, practice, and resource changes affecting services.

Workforce Management:

• Manage day-to-day operations of SLT services.
• Ensure HR policies are followed, including recruitment, appraisals, and performance management.
• Implement national and Trust workforce initiatives.
• Develop teams and maintain high morale, ensuring the clinical perspective is valued.
• Collaborate with Learning and Development to allocate clinical placements.
• Improve internal and external communication within the organization.

Clinical & Professional Leadership:

• Ensure effective leadership and supervision, aligning with national, local, and Trust priorities.
• Embed effective governance and clinical supervision systems.
• Ensure adherence to policies, including Health & Safety, and professional standards.
• Coordinate care protocols to ensure services are equitable, evidence-based, and effective.
• Provide professional advice and facilitate professional development.

Clinical Management Duties:

• Oversee referrals, triage clinics, and caseload management.
• Ensure clinical records comply with Trust standards and policies.
• Negotiate with patients and carers around case management.
• Use specialist assessments and make complex clinical decisions.
• Plan and deliver treatment programs, managing complex cases.
• Refer to other professionals and use highly specialized knowledge to create strategies for case management.
• Provide second opinions and advise on care for children and young people with special needs.

Patient Care & Case Management:

• Provide specialist care for complex cases, including assessments, diagnoses, and treatment.
• Use high-level planning, negotiating, and communication skills for case management.
• Recommend and implement alternative communication programs for individual needs, including sign language or electronic aids.

Training & Professional Development:

• Provide training to staff and other professionals.
• Contribute to the development of staff and students, offering clinical placements.
• Develop links with universities to grow the workforce and foster skill development.

Partnership & Communication:

• Work with stakeholders to ensure service delivery aligns with patient needs.
• Develop relationships with commissioners, GPs, councils, acute trusts, and third-sector organizations.
• Ensure patient involvement in service developments and reviews.
• Enhance the Trust’s reputation as a service provider and employer.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Ensure continuous improvement by promoting and participating in audits and research.
• Provide support in clinical governance, maintaining quality standards and clinical effectiveness.

This job description is intended as a basic guide and will be reviewed and amended as needed.