Job summary
Are you a qualified, experienced and compassionate Speech and Language Therapist looking for a new challenge and a rewarding career working in Mental Health and Learning Disabilities in the North East of England?
An opportunity has arisen for a part time Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join the Speech and Language Therapy service in Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust. This is a 12-month fixed term post to cover maternity leave up until March 2026. The working hours can be between 18.75 to 22.5 hours per week.
You will work into the older people's and learning disability inpatient wards working with patients who have complex cognitive and functional mental health difficulties. You will work into the wards at Monkwearmouth Hospital and Rose Lodge in Sunderland and South Tyneside. There may also be an opportunity to work into the working aged adult inpatient wards at Hopewood Park, Sunderland.
We are looking for a dedicated, enthusiastic individual with transferable skills to work in mental health, learning disability and autism; or experience working in inpatient settings. The successful candidate must be able to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and have the skills and knowledge to provide high quality speech and language input into these teams.
If you are passionate about neurodiversity affirming practice, trauma informed speech and language therapy and inclusion in recovery then this post might be for you!
Main duties of the job
These services provide assessment, intervention and an MDT approach to support adults who are experiencing mental illness and require specialist speech and language therapy input for communication and/or dysphagia needs.
The successful candidates will have a particular interest and enthusiasm to work in this area. You should have qualifications and experience relevant in this clinical field and work well as part of a close team and be able to work independently.
You will liaise closely with fellow professionals to support communication needs and differences, as well as eating/drinking difficulties as part of a holistic, service user centred service and will contribute to, write and review care plans and provide high quality service user centred care.
You will have a varied caseload with opportunities to contribute to a range of wider projects within a variety of wards within inpatient settings.
You will possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills and be able to contribute to the existing multi-disciplinary team.
A qualification in dysphagia is desirable, but not essential as support will be given for dysphagia training as required.
About us
The Speech and Language Therapy Service in Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust is continuing to develop and grow to meet the needs of our patients and local communities. We are looking for dedicated and passionate individuals with different levels of qualifications and clinical knowledge and experience to join our team.
We will provide you with a comprehensive induction period and you will have access to ongoing clinical supervision and appraisal with development reviews that will provide you with support and the specialist skills required to meet the holistic needs of the patients in your care. The post holder will be expected to actively engage in the Trusts supervision and continuing professional development process.
We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the separate job description, person specification and in particular the service and role descriptor for more information.
You will be required to travel to other sites across the Trust as part of the role.
Advertising date : 8th May 2025
Closing date : 22nd May 2025
We welcome your application.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the separate job description, person specification and in particular the service and role descriptor for more information.
You will be required to travel to other sites across the Trust as part of the role.
Advertising date : 8th May 2025
Closing date : 22nd May 2025
We welcome your application.
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential
- Recognised SALT degree qualification and up to date HCPC registration
- Evidence of completion of a short course relevant to the area of specialism
Desirable
- Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
- Log of supervised hours/completion of dysphagia competencies
- A dysphagia qualification or commitment to attain this qualification and practice in this clinical area
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Experience of delivering appropriate specialist assessments and evidence based interventions to service users with communication and/or swallowing disorders
- Specialist communication skills, considering a variety of strategies to support adults with complex communication/cognitive needs
- Experience of developing therapeutic partnerships with service users and carers
- Experience of communicating interventions to service users and Experience of working with service users with complex needs and their carers in successful delivery of treatment plans
- Working knowledge of statutory issues which impact on service users eg safeguarding
- Experience of working within a mult-disciplinary environment
- Experience of supervising others eg assistant practitioners, students
- Experience of contributing to audit and/or service evaluation
- Knowledge and an understanding of the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act
- Experience of working at post graduate level as a Speech and Language Therapist with adults who have complex and varied needs
Desirable
- Knowledge of assessment and management of challenging behaviours
- Experience of delivering training relevant to SALT
Skills and Competencies
Essential
- Proven ability to carry out and provide comprehensive written assessments of individuals with complex needs
- Risk assessment, risk/safety management planning skills
- Demonstrate an understanding of effective and appropriate treatment options including a range of evidence based clinical approaches as identified in the NICE guidance
- Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills. Excellent interpersonal skills and good conflict resolution skills
- Evidence of a high level of professional, organisational and leadership skills (self and others)
- Ability to adapt within a changing environment and work under pressure
- Ability to use electronic recording and relevant IT equipment
- Ability to work effectively with other professionals using a multi-agency approach. Ability to work autonomously and within a team
- Excellent time and case management skills
- Proven track record of acting as an effective advocate for service users and their carers
Desirable
- Clinical leadership skills
- Teaching and presentation skills
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential
- Recognised SALT degree qualification and up to date HCPC registration
- Evidence of completion of a short course relevant to the area of specialism
Desirable
- Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
- Log of supervised hours/completion of dysphagia competencies
- A dysphagia qualification or commitment to attain this qualification and practice in this clinical area
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Experience of delivering appropriate specialist assessments and evidence based interventions to service users with communication and/or swallowing disorders
- Specialist communication skills, considering a variety of strategies to support adults with complex communication/cognitive needs
- Experience of developing therapeutic partnerships with service users and carers
- Experience of communicating interventions to service users and Experience of working with service users with complex needs and their carers in successful delivery of treatment plans
- Working knowledge of statutory issues which impact on service users eg safeguarding
- Experience of working within a mult-disciplinary environment
- Experience of supervising others eg assistant practitioners, students
- Experience of contributing to audit and/or service evaluation
- Knowledge and an understanding of the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act
- Experience of working at post graduate level as a Speech and Language Therapist with adults who have complex and varied needs
Desirable
- Knowledge of assessment and management of challenging behaviours
- Experience of delivering training relevant to SALT
Skills and Competencies
Essential
- Proven ability to carry out and provide comprehensive written assessments of individuals with complex needs
- Risk assessment, risk/safety management planning skills
- Demonstrate an understanding of effective and appropriate treatment options including a range of evidence based clinical approaches as identified in the NICE guidance
- Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills. Excellent interpersonal skills and good conflict resolution skills
- Evidence of a high level of professional, organisational and leadership skills (self and others)
- Ability to adapt within a changing environment and work under pressure
- Ability to use electronic recording and relevant IT equipment
- Ability to work effectively with other professionals using a multi-agency approach. Ability to work autonomously and within a team
- Excellent time and case management skills
- Proven track record of acting as an effective advocate for service users and their carers
Desirable
- Clinical leadership skills
- Teaching and presentation skills
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.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
