Job summary
An opportunity has arisen for a full-time band 6 Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to work into the Specialist Children and Young Persons Inpatients Service.
We are seeking applications from registered Speech and Language Therapists with experience of working with children who have a learning disability, challenging behaviour and/or mental health needs. We are interested in appointing a dedicated and committed individual that possesses a desire to work with children and young people. You will need to demonstrate your ability to engage and work collaboratively with others and understand complex systems in order to support effective pathways.
Lotus Ward provides comprehensive assessment and treatment for patients under the age of 18 years with early onset psychosis or complex mental health disorders.
Ferndene provides comprehensive assessment and treatment for patients under the age of 18 years and is made up of the following units: medium secure unit, general admission mental health unit, psychiatric intensive care unit, low secure unit, and a specialist learning disability and autism unit.
Lotus ward is situated at Acklam Road Hospital, Middlesborough and Ferndene is situated in Prudhoe, Northumberland. Either site can be agreed as your main base however you will need to be willing to travel to both sites during the working week.
Main duties of the job
You will have a particular interest and enthusiasm to work in this area. You will need to be confident in providing high quality, evidence-based Speech and Language Therapy assessments and interventions and have an understanding and experience of working with children and young people with mental health difficulties in complex environments.
You will possess excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills and be able to contribute to the existing multi-disciplinary team.
You should have qualifications and experience relevant in this clinical field and work well as part of a close team whilst also be able to work independently.
You will liaise closely with fellow professionals to address communication difficulties as part of a holistic, service user centred service. You will contribute to, write and review care plans and provide high quality service user centred care.
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.
You will join a large, dynamic team of Speech and Language Therapy colleagues in established multi-disciplinary teams who are committed to providing the best quality service to our patients. We actively encourage professional development and provide opportunities for all in the Speech and Language Therapy team to contribute to the development of the service.
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. You 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 find attached job description for full details.
Advertising date : 17th June 2025
Closing date : 1st July 2025
We welcome your application.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please find attached job description for full details.
Advertising date : 17th June 2025
Closing date : 1st July 2025
We welcome your application.
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential
- Recognised SALT degree qualification
- Registration with HCPC
- Evidence of completion of a short course relevant to the area of specialism
- A dysphagia qualification or commitment to attain this qualification and practice in this clinical area
Desirable
- Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
- Log of supervised hours/completion of dysphagia competencies
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 children with complex communication/cognitive needs
- Experience of developing therapeutic partnerships with service users and carers
- Working knowledge of statutory issues which impact on service users eg safeguarding, MHA, MCA
- 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
- Experience of working at post graduate level as a Speech and Language Therapist with children who have a learning disability, complex and challenging behaviours and/or mental health 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 children with complex mental health 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 work effectively with other professionals using a multi-agency approach. Ability to work autonomously and within a team
- Excellent time and case management skills and the ability to use electronic recording and relevant IT equipment
- Proven track record of acting as an effective advocate for service users and their carers
Desirable
- Clinical leadership skills
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential
- Recognised SALT degree qualification
- Registration with HCPC
- Evidence of completion of a short course relevant to the area of specialism
- A dysphagia qualification or commitment to attain this qualification and practice in this clinical area
Desirable
- Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
- Log of supervised hours/completion of dysphagia competencies
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 children with complex communication/cognitive needs
- Experience of developing therapeutic partnerships with service users and carers
- Working knowledge of statutory issues which impact on service users eg safeguarding, MHA, MCA
- 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
- Experience of working at post graduate level as a Speech and Language Therapist with children who have a learning disability, complex and challenging behaviours and/or mental health 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 children with complex mental health 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 work effectively with other professionals using a multi-agency approach. Ability to work autonomously and within a team
- Excellent time and case management skills and the ability to use electronic recording and relevant IT equipment
- Proven track record of acting as an effective advocate for service users and their carers
Desirable
- Clinical leadership 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).
