Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust

Assistant Practitioner (SALT)

The closing date is 19 August 2025

Job summary

We have the exciting opportunity to appoint a full time Band 4 Assistant Practitioner - Speech and Language Therapy to work with adults with learning disabilities in the Community.

We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic individual who are keen to develop their skills as an Assistant Practitioner in this area. You will work in a well-established, multi-disciplinary team, committed to providing the best quality service to our clients.

You will support the speech and language therapy work within the Community Team for adults with Learning Disabilities (CTLD) based at Benton House, Newcastle. The team provide services to adults with a learning disability who have complex physical health needs, challenging behaviours or mental health needs. Physiotherapy and speech and language therapy are part of a life span service, which liaise with Children and Young Peoples services, for those living in the city.

The team includes psychiatry, psychology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, positive behavioural support and community nursing.

This is an excellent development opportunity for an experienced support worker or a current assistant practitioner who would like to gain further experience and develop their skills and knowledge of speech and language therapy within adult learning disability services.

Main duties of the job

You will have a particular interest and enthusiasm to work in this area and you should be able to work well as part of a close team and independently. You should have qualifications and experience relevant in this clinical field. You will liaise closely with fellow professionals to address communication and eating/drinking difficulties as part of a holistic, service user centred service. You will contribute to care plans and provide high quality service user centred care.

Under the support and supervision of a speech and language therapist, you will work to support patients to achieve their therapeutic goals by supporting their language and communication skills. In practice, you will provide a range of communication interventions with the individual both directly and indirectly. These interventions will take the form of 1:1 work, group work, resource making and admin tasks. The successful candidates will be able to demonstrate excellent awareness of communication difficulties and have excellent IT skills.

You will receive regular support, training and opportunities to develop your skills and knowledge. 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.

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 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.

Date posted

05 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

263-SS25-059-MG

Job locations

Benton House

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE2 1QE

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the separate job description, person specification and in particular the service and role descriptor for more information.

Advertising date : 5th August 2025

Closing date : 19th August 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.

Advertising date : 5th August 2025

Closing date : 19th August 2025

We welcome your application.

Person Specification

Education and Qualification

Essential

Foundation degree in applied social studies or alternative (NVQ/BTEC/QCF) with additional training to diploma level equivalent in the speciality field.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

Experience of supervising/teaching
Experience of working with service users with complex health needs and have awareness of communication difficulties
Experience of working in a relevant/similar setting with experience of and commitment to multi-disciplinary team work
Working understanding of the practice of speech and language therapy

Desirable

Experience of involving service users/carers in evaluation/planning and monitoring of services
Experience of working in therapy

Skills and Ability

Essential

Ability to establish a rapport with service users and to adapt approach to meet need of individuals
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Able to follow instructions, recognising the boundaries of own competency
Good communication and interaction skills and ability to use effective strategies and adapt approach to communicate information in a manner appropriate to the situation
Good IT, record keeping and time management skills
Appreciation of mental health conditions and/or learning disabilities and the impact of these on a person
Ability to cope with distressing and emotional situations

Desirable

Advanced IT skills
Experience and ability to use the RiO IT records management system

Person Specification

Education and Qualification

Essential

Foundation degree in applied social studies or alternative (NVQ/BTEC/QCF) with additional training to diploma level equivalent in the speciality field.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

Experience of supervising/teaching
Experience of working with service users with complex health needs and have awareness of communication difficulties
Experience of working in a relevant/similar setting with experience of and commitment to multi-disciplinary team work
Working understanding of the practice of speech and language therapy

Desirable

Experience of involving service users/carers in evaluation/planning and monitoring of services
Experience of working in therapy

Skills and Ability

Essential

Ability to establish a rapport with service users and to adapt approach to meet need of individuals
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Able to follow instructions, recognising the boundaries of own competency
Good communication and interaction skills and ability to use effective strategies and adapt approach to communicate information in a manner appropriate to the situation
Good IT, record keeping and time management skills
Appreciation of mental health conditions and/or learning disabilities and the impact of these on a person
Ability to cope with distressing and emotional situations

Desirable

Advanced IT skills
Experience and ability to use the RiO IT records management system

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.