Job summary
An opportunity has arisen for a full time band 6 Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join the Speech and Language Therapy service in Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust.
We are seeking applications from registered Speech and Language Therapists with experience of working with children and young people who have a learning disability, challenging behaviour and/or mental health needs.
You will split your working week between the Intensive Positive Behavioural Service (IPBS) Community Team and the Community Team for Children with Learning Disabilities.
The Intensive Positive Behavioural Service work with children and young people between the ages of 4 and 18 with a learning disability and/or autism spectrum disorder where their behaviour that challenges occurs as a result of the young person having limited abilities to communicate distress, and get their needs met in other more adaptive ways. This service is based at St Nicholas Hospital in Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne.
The Community Team for Children with Learning Disabilities provide assessment, intervention and an MDT approach to children who have a learning disability and require specialist speech and language therapy input for communication and/or dysphagia needs. This service is based at Benton House in Sandyford, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Main duties of the job
You 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 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. You will possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills and be able to contribute to the existing multi-disciplinary team. You will be able to demonstrate the ability to engage and work collaboratively with others and understand complex systems in order to support effective pathways.
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 see the separate job description, person specification and the service and role descriptor for more information.
Advertising date : 9th September2025
Closing date : 23rd September 2025
We welcome your application.
You may be required to travel across the Trust area as part of the role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the separate job description, person specification and the service and role descriptor for more information.
Advertising date : 9th September2025
Closing date : 23rd September 2025
We welcome your application.
You may be required to travel across the Trust area as part of the role.
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 behaviours that challenge and/or mental health needs
Desirable
- Knowledge of assessment and management of behaviours that challenge
- 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 behaviours that challenge and/or mental health needs
Desirable
- Knowledge of assessment and management of behaviours that challenge
- 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).
