Management and leadership
What support can the RCSLT provide members who are facing cut backs/job regrading at work?
The RCSLT is able to provide support to those members being faced with cut-backs, service-restructure and job-regrading, by providing access to specific resources and expert advisers. The RCSLT is only able to help in a limited capacity with specific work-based issues, such as regrading or changes to terms and conditions, in these instances we would direct members to their union for more support.
You may find our manager’s resources pack useful when dealing with budget-holders and decision-makers.
In the UK the union for speech therapists is Unite and their website can be accessed here: www.unitetheunion.org
Alongside the category of clinical adviser and research adviser, the RCSLT has recently launched a new category of adviser: leadership mentors. This role has been created as a result of member demand for extra support that is not based on a clinical area; for example, service-transformation.
If you feel that you might benefit from accessing a Leadership Mentor please see below.
Can the RCSLT help us to build a business case for speech and language therapy and prevent cut backs and roles being downgraded?
As previously, the RCSLT is able to provide support to members with regards to building business cases, etc. by providing access to specific resources through our managers resources web pages.
The RCSLT is also able to link members up with appropriate Leadership Mentors who are able to help support and coach members facing these types of issues.
If you feel that you might benefit from accessing a Leadership Mentor please see below.
What is a Leadership Mentor?
It is important to the profession that we have a workforce able to deal with the fast-moving world of health and care. Leadership Mentors are a vital way to achieve that, as they will lead the way for the profession and support SLTs to develop on their own leadership skills, to build a workforce well equipped for future requirements.
Leadership Mentors are members who have experience of leading in any area of speech and language therapy, and are happy to be on hand to support other members with issues, such as:
- building a business-case
- dealing with change
- influencing budget-holders, decision-makers and stakeholders
- guidance on supervising and supporting staff
- planning the workforce to ensure it covers current and future needs
- measuring outcomes
- patient safety
- cuts to services
How can I access a Leadership mentor?
If you feel that you might benefit from accessing a Leadership Mentor please contact our information team, who will be able to help link you up with the most appropriate mentor.
020 7378 3012 / 3038 or contact us.
How can I become a Leadership Mentor?
We invite applications from any member with experience of leading in any area of speech and language therapy. The RCSLT will match those in need of support with a mentor who is best placed to provide it.
You will need to complete an application form, which includes a personal statement stating why you would like to become a leadership mentor and giving recent examples of your leadership skills. Your application will then be considered by our leadership mentors steering group. If you would like to be considered, please contact us.
