South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Speech & Language Therapy Assistant (Adult)

The closing date is 16 April 2026

Job summary

Please note the Trust are not able to offer Skilled Worker Sponsorship for this role as it does not meet the UKVI threshold requirements. Applicants are requested to consider this when making their application. Please visitGov.UKfor further information

We have an opportunity for one, full-time (37.5 hours per week), permanent, Band 2 Speech and Language Therapy Assistant.

Speech and Language Assistants are vital to our work in carrying-out therapy, in preparing and assisting in clinics, collecting outcome data, assisting with equipment and resources, monitoring stock and supporting training. You will be based mainly in Sunderland Royal Hospital, but will be required to work across Trust sites, and will spend most of your week supporting patients and delivering therapy on the Acute Stroke Unit and the Neurorehab Ward. You will develop experience of working with adults with a range of speech, language, communication and swallowing difficulties. Excellent support, supervision and training will be provided. You will join our well-established Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) service.

As a team we work together to provide the best service we can whilst striving to develop staff who are our key asset to improve patient outcomes. You will have excellent support and will be encouraged to develop your skills and competencies. You will align to our vision and values which include using research and innovation to improve patient care.

Main duties of the job

We provide Speech and Language Therapy to adults across South Tyneside and Sunderland who have speech, language, voice, communication and swallowing difficulties. You will work with a range of adults who have acquired difficulties with communication and swallowing as a result of a range of conditions including amongst others, stroke, brain injury and progressive neurological disorders.

You will:

be keen to develop experience in working with adults with a range of communication and swallowing difficulties.
have an enthusiasm for working in our team.
have excellent communication and team-working skills.
be keen to work within a large, forward-thinking department.
have a flexible approach to meet the demands of the work.
be keen to learn a wide range of new skills.
have the ability meet the travel requirements of this Post.

About us

Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.

Date posted

09 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£25,272 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9155-CSAHP-0426-25

Job locations

Trust Headquarters

Sunderland Royal Hospital

Sunderland

SR4 7TP

South Tyneside Nhs Foundation Trust

Harton Lane

South Shields

Tyne And Wear

NE34 0PL

Job description

Job responsibilities

To work as part of the Adult Speech and Language Therapy team, aiding in deliveringtherapy / rehabilitation service to a client group.

PLEASE REFER TO ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To work as part of the Adult Speech and Language Therapy team, aiding in deliveringtherapy / rehabilitation service to a client group.

PLEASE REFER TO ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.

Person Specification

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

Good organisational ability.
The ability to work under pressure.
Ability to work independently and under instruction following
guidelines from qualified staff.
Ability to prioritise workload.
Good communication and interpersonal skills.
Evidence of the ability to communicate with a broad
spectrum of individuals.
Able to present information, written and orally in a clear and
logical manner.
Ability to motivate people.
Basic IT skills.

Desirable

Awareness of communication
and swallowing disorders.
Evidence of working with
people in a school/ nursery/
care setting.
Recent proven experience of
working with Clients in a
hospital or NHS organization.
Experience in other therapy
settings.
Previous Speech and
Language Therapy Assistant
experience.

Physical Skills

Essential

Able to meet the moving and handling requirements of the
Post.
Light physical effort / able to sit at bedside etc. near patients.
Ability to meet the travel requirements of the role.
Keyboard and dexterity skills.

Qualifications

Essential

Numeracy and Literacy GCSE Level 4 or equivalent.
At least four other GCSEs (Grade 4 or above) or equivalent.
Intermediate IT skills.

Desirable

NVQ 2 in health-related subject
or relevant experience.
Completed Care Certificate or
equivalent.

Experience

Essential

Evidence of interaction with the public or patients.
The ability to work as part of a team.
Experience of working to deadlines.

Desirable

Previous Speech and
Language Therapy Assistant
experience.
Some previous experience of
working with people with communication /swallowing
disorders patients.
Experience of working with
adults with acquired disabilities.

Person Specification

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

Good organisational ability.
The ability to work under pressure.
Ability to work independently and under instruction following
guidelines from qualified staff.
Ability to prioritise workload.
Good communication and interpersonal skills.
Evidence of the ability to communicate with a broad
spectrum of individuals.
Able to present information, written and orally in a clear and
logical manner.
Ability to motivate people.
Basic IT skills.

Desirable

Awareness of communication
and swallowing disorders.
Evidence of working with
people in a school/ nursery/
care setting.
Recent proven experience of
working with Clients in a
hospital or NHS organization.
Experience in other therapy
settings.
Previous Speech and
Language Therapy Assistant
experience.

Physical Skills

Essential

Able to meet the moving and handling requirements of the
Post.
Light physical effort / able to sit at bedside etc. near patients.
Ability to meet the travel requirements of the role.
Keyboard and dexterity skills.

Qualifications

Essential

Numeracy and Literacy GCSE Level 4 or equivalent.
At least four other GCSEs (Grade 4 or above) or equivalent.
Intermediate IT skills.

Desirable

NVQ 2 in health-related subject
or relevant experience.
Completed Care Certificate or
equivalent.

Experience

Essential

Evidence of interaction with the public or patients.
The ability to work as part of a team.
Experience of working to deadlines.

Desirable

Previous Speech and
Language Therapy Assistant
experience.
Some previous experience of
working with people with communication /swallowing
disorders patients.
Experience of working with
adults with acquired disabilities.

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.