Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Speech & Language Therapist

The closing date is 01 February 2026

Job summary

We are seeking Band 6 Specialist Speech and Language Therapists to join our friendly and supportive Adult SLT Service in Worthing. Fulltime or part-time hours will be considered, and flexible working options are available.

This is an exciting opportunity to provide a specialist clinical service to adults with communication and/or swallowing difficulties, working across community settings and as part of a multi-disciplinary team. The role offers excellent opportunities for clinical development, regular supervision, and involvement in service improvement projects.

The position will be based at Southfield House in Worthing. As this is a community-based role, you will need to travel across Worthing and surrounding areas to deliver care in clinics, domiciliary settings, and care homes. Access to a car and a valid UK driving licence (or ability to travel efficiently across sites) is essential.

Main duties of the job

  • Provide specialist assessment, differential diagnosis, and evidence-based intervention for adults with communication and/or swallowing difficulties.
  • Independently manage a complex caseload, prioritising care and ensuring continuity across community settings.
  • Develop individualised care plans in collaboration with patients, families, carers, and multi-disciplinary teams (MDTs).
  • Deliver training and support to SLT assistants, students, and other professionals; evaluate training effectiveness.
  • Act as a specialist resource, offering advice and guidance to colleagues and external professionals.
  • Participate in case conferences and MDT meetings, initiating these when required.
  • Maintain accurate clinical records and produce timely reports in line with HCPC, RCSLT, and Trust standards.
  • Monitor clinical outcomes and contribute to audit, research, and service development activities.
  • Adhere to clinical governance, risk management, and information governance policies.
  • Provide specialist advice on swallowing and communication risks, escalating concerns appropriately.
  • Support and mentor peers, junior therapists, and students; assist with induction of new team members.
  • Keep up to date with current research and best practice, engaging in CPD and mandatory training.
  • Ensure safe use and maintenance of equipment and resources, reporting needs to line managers.

About us

We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex, with 6,000 staff serving 1.3 million people. We deliver essential care to adults and children, helping them manage their health, avoid hospital admissions, and reduce hospital stays.

Our Trust vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community. We offer opportunities across medical, clinical, support, and corporate services.

Why work for us?o Positive 2023 NHS Staff Survey results, highlighting compassionate leadership and wellbeingo Varied environments: community hospitals, patients' homes, and bases across Sussexo Flexible working options: part-time, flexi-time, annualised hours, and flexi-retiremento Excellent training, development, and research opportunitieso Cost-effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove, and Brightono Active EMBRACE, Disability & Wellbeing, LGBTQIA+, and Religion & Belief networkso Level 3 Disability Confident Leader and Veteran Aware Trusto Beautiful Sussex location near the South Downs and coast

Our values--Compassionate Care, Working Together, Achieving Ambitions, Delivering Excellence--guide everything we do.

We embrace diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from ethnically diverse, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. We aim to create an inclusive environment and support reasonable adjustments during recruitment.

This post may close early if sufficient applications are received.

Details

Date posted

22 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year Per annum / pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

150-CP2317-PC

Job locations

Southfield House

Worthing

BN11 1RY


Job description

Job responsibilities

What we are looking for:

  • Degree/Diploma in Speech and Language Therapy (or equivalent)
  • HCPC registration as a Speech and Language Therapist
  • Experience working with adults with communication and/or swallowing difficulties
  • Ability to manage a complex caseload independently and work collaboratively within MDTs
  • Strong communication skills and commitment to evidence-based practice

Please refer to job description and person specification for all details.

Job description

Job responsibilities

What we are looking for:

  • Degree/Diploma in Speech and Language Therapy (or equivalent)
  • HCPC registration as a Speech and Language Therapist
  • Experience working with adults with communication and/or swallowing difficulties
  • Ability to manage a complex caseload independently and work collaboratively within MDTs
  • Strong communication skills and commitment to evidence-based practice

Please refer to job description and person specification for all details.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Professional Registration

Essential

  • Degree (or recognised equivalent) in Speech and Language Therapy
  • Registered member of RCSLT and HCPC
  • Postgraduate and experiential training in relevant areas

Experience

Essential

  • Significant years post-graduation experience in clinical specialism in acquired adult disorders
  • Post basic training and experience in dysphagia
  • Inter disciplinary team working within Acute and Community settings
  • Participation in student placements and provision of training for others

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

  • Specialist clinician, able to demonstrate credibility, diagnostic skills and in depth knowledge of appropriate assessment and management
  • Excellent written and verbal communication including observation, empathy and listening skills
  • Demonstrates ability to manage caseload independently
  • Developing negotiation and conflict resolution skills
  • Excellent auditory discrimination skills and ability to transcribe speech phonetically and analyse narrative linguistically
  • Working knowledge of professional standards and policies related to clinical and management practice
  • Demonstrates a commitment to learning and development and skill sharing

Other

Essential

  • Car driver with own transport
Person Specification

Qualifications & Professional Registration

Essential

  • Degree (or recognised equivalent) in Speech and Language Therapy
  • Registered member of RCSLT and HCPC
  • Postgraduate and experiential training in relevant areas

Experience

Essential

  • Significant years post-graduation experience in clinical specialism in acquired adult disorders
  • Post basic training and experience in dysphagia
  • Inter disciplinary team working within Acute and Community settings
  • Participation in student placements and provision of training for others

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

  • Specialist clinician, able to demonstrate credibility, diagnostic skills and in depth knowledge of appropriate assessment and management
  • Excellent written and verbal communication including observation, empathy and listening skills
  • Demonstrates ability to manage caseload independently
  • Developing negotiation and conflict resolution skills
  • Excellent auditory discrimination skills and ability to transcribe speech phonetically and analyse narrative linguistically
  • Working knowledge of professional standards and policies related to clinical and management practice
  • Demonstrates a commitment to learning and development and skill sharing

Other

Essential

  • Car driver with own transport

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Southfield House

Worthing

BN11 1RY


Employer's website

https://www.sussexcommunity.nhs.uk/work-with-us/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Southfield House

Worthing

BN11 1RY


Employer's website

https://www.sussexcommunity.nhs.uk/work-with-us/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Advanced Speech & Language Therapist & Team Lead

Sarah MacFarlane

sarah.macfarlane6@nhs.net

01273242298

Details

Date posted

22 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year Per annum / pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

150-CP2317-PC

Job locations

Southfield House

Worthing

BN11 1RY


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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