Job summary
We are seeking a motivated and forward-thinking Specialist Speech & Language Therapist to join our Physical Health Allied Health Professionals team at West London NHS Trust. This is a great opportunity to work across the interface of physical and mental health, supporting adults with complex needs.
You will manage a specialist caseload, delivering assessment and intervention for communication and dysphagia difficulties linked to neurological conditions, mental health presentations, and neurodivergence. Working within a multidisciplinary team, you will contribute to holistic care planning and provide expert clinical input.
The role offers excellent development opportunities, including supervision of junior staff and students, involvement in service improvement, and delivery of training across teams. It is ideal for a Band 5 looking to step up or a Band 6 seeking to broaden their experience.
Based across Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, and Hounslow, this role offers variety, autonomy, and the chance to be part of a continually developing service.
We recognise that working within mental health services may be new for some applicants. However, the core skills required are grounded in physical healthcare, particularly dysphagia management. To support your transition, we offer access to a peer support network of Speech & Language Therapists across physical and mental health services, shadowing opportunities, and an "Introduction to Mental Health" training programme.
Main duties of the job
Manage a complex/specialist caseload from assessment to discharge.
Provide high-quality evidence-based care to national standards (e.g. NICE guidelines).
Uphold professional and legal accountability in line with HCPC and RCSLT standards and trust policies.
Provide specialist clinical advice to other healthcare professionals including those in the acute hospital sector with limited mental health or learning disability experience.
Use of the Trust's Quality Improvement System to facilitate continual safety and quality improvement activities as part of the team.
Note: Applicant will need to have the right to live & work in the UK without requiring employer visa sponsorship.
About us
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.
The Trust is rated as 'Good' overallby the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as 'Outstanding'.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- B.Sc. (hons.) or MSc in Speech and Language Therapy
- Current registration with HCPC
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- A broad range of experience working with communication and swallowing difficulties with adult and elderly populations.
- Supervision & training of assistants or students.
- Managing caseload of an area/ward including daily communication/interaction with all relevant parties with support from a senior member of staff
- Application of a variety of outcome measures.
- Working with adults with dysphagia equivalent to RCSLT Level A,B
Desirable
- Undertaken or participated in a service delivery project, quality improvement project or audit
Knowledge
Essential
- Sound therapeutic and clinical knowledge about common mental health conditions.
- Sound therapeutic and clinical knowledge about adults with dysphagia.
- Sound therapeutic and clinical knowledge about adults with communication difficulties.
- Knowledge and application of Augmentative and Alternative Communication principles
- Demonstrate the use of standardised and non-standardised assessments across swallowing and communication disorders.
- Accurate and concise written and verbal communication skills with compliance to regulatory patient record keeping.
- IT literacy and presentation skills (including Microsoft, word and PowerPoint)
- Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team in a supportive, respectful and constructive way using Trust Values.
Skills
Essential
- Self-motivated and able to work under pressure
- Ability to effectively recognise and manage clinical and non-clinical complications and risks
- Able to provide teaching/ training to variety of audiences e.g. colleagues within and outside the service, patients and their carers.
- Ability to formulate clear problem lists, treatment plans and goals.
- Proven time management skills and ability to organise and prioritise own caseload whilst managing others/ other service needs.
- Evidence of good initiative and problem-solving skills.
- Able to travel independently across relevant sites.
- Understanding own personal learning needs and actively participating in Personal Development Programme
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- B.Sc. (hons.) or MSc in Speech and Language Therapy
- Current registration with HCPC
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- A broad range of experience working with communication and swallowing difficulties with adult and elderly populations.
- Supervision & training of assistants or students.
- Managing caseload of an area/ward including daily communication/interaction with all relevant parties with support from a senior member of staff
- Application of a variety of outcome measures.
- Working with adults with dysphagia equivalent to RCSLT Level A,B
Desirable
- Undertaken or participated in a service delivery project, quality improvement project or audit
Knowledge
Essential
- Sound therapeutic and clinical knowledge about common mental health conditions.
- Sound therapeutic and clinical knowledge about adults with dysphagia.
- Sound therapeutic and clinical knowledge about adults with communication difficulties.
- Knowledge and application of Augmentative and Alternative Communication principles
- Demonstrate the use of standardised and non-standardised assessments across swallowing and communication disorders.
- Accurate and concise written and verbal communication skills with compliance to regulatory patient record keeping.
- IT literacy and presentation skills (including Microsoft, word and PowerPoint)
- Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team in a supportive, respectful and constructive way using Trust Values.
Skills
Essential
- Self-motivated and able to work under pressure
- Ability to effectively recognise and manage clinical and non-clinical complications and risks
- Able to provide teaching/ training to variety of audiences e.g. colleagues within and outside the service, patients and their carers.
- Ability to formulate clear problem lists, treatment plans and goals.
- Proven time management skills and ability to organise and prioritise own caseload whilst managing others/ other service needs.
- Evidence of good initiative and problem-solving skills.
- Able to travel independently across relevant sites.
- Understanding own personal learning needs and actively participating in Personal Development Programme
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.
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.
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).
