Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen within Adult Secure Care for a full time, permanent, Band 5 Speech and Language Therapist.
This is a development post, the successful applicant will be employed in a band 5 role whilst they follow a preceptorship programme, on successful completion of this programme they will move into a band 6 role.
We are looking for a dedicated, enthusiastic individual who is keen to develop their skills and knowledge in this area. We welcome applications from speech and language therapists who are already qualified and those who will qualify this academic year.
You will work into the Adult Secure Care Services as part of an MDT offering a service at the Sycamore Unit, Northgate Park, Morpeth, as well as helping adults move out of hospital to live in the community.
The secure care service is a regional and national service offering care and treatment to adults with diagnoses of learning disabilities, mental health conditions and personality disorders who are offenders and are cared for within conditions of medium and low security.
Main duties of the job
You will have some knowledge and experience of working with adults who have complex needs and ideally some experience of working in a secure inpatient setting.
You will need to be confident in providing high quality, evidence-based assessments and interventions and have an understanding and experience of working with people with a range of complex issues from a variety of settings and environments.
Under the support and supervision of specialist and advanced speech and language therapists, you will work to support service users to achieve their therapeutic goals by supporting their language and communication skills. You will provide a range of communication interventions with service users both directly and indirectly.
There will be a requirement to share knowledge and skills specific to speech and language therapy to other members of the team including stakeholders. 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.
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 teams to contribute to the development of the Speech and Language Therapy 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. 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
In 2023, the new Sycamore Unit opened at Northgate Park, replacing accommodation which dated back to the 1960's and beyond. This state-of-the-art integrated adult medium secure facility has six wards for male patients with a range of forensic mental health needs, including patients with complex personality disorders and / or learning disabilities. Sycamore Unit offers outdoor space, landscaped courtyards, indoor and outdoor sports areas, open-plan lounge and dining areas, chill out rooms, activity rooms, treatment rooms, an education suite, and gym.
Please find attached job description for full details.
Advertising date : 9th Septmber2025
Closing date : 23rd September 2025
We welcome your application.
There will be an element of travelling involved as part of this post.
Job description
Job responsibilities
In 2023, the new Sycamore Unit opened at Northgate Park, replacing accommodation which dated back to the 1960's and beyond. This state-of-the-art integrated adult medium secure facility has six wards for male patients with a range of forensic mental health needs, including patients with complex personality disorders and / or learning disabilities. Sycamore Unit offers outdoor space, landscaped courtyards, indoor and outdoor sports areas, open-plan lounge and dining areas, chill out rooms, activity rooms, treatment rooms, an education suite, and gym.
Please find attached job description for full details.
Advertising date : 9th Septmber2025
Closing date : 23rd September 2025
We welcome your application.
There will be an element of travelling involved as part of this post.
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential
- Recognised Speech and Language therapy degree qualification
- Registration with HCPC
- A commitment to attain a dysphagia qualification and practice in this clinical area when appropriate
Desirable
- Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
- A qualification, level of understanding and skills to provide assessment and treatment in dysphagia
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Knowledge of relevant theories relating to communication disorders
- Experience and knowledge of appropriate assessments and evidence based interventions to service users with communication needs
- Ability to develop therapeutic partnership and experience of working to deliver treatment plans with service users and carers
- Good communication skills and ability to deliver a variety of strategies to support adults with complex communication and cognitive needs
- Understanding of the statutory issues which impact on service users
- Knowledge of roles of different members of and the ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team
- Some experience working with service users within the area of the post applied for
- Awareness and some experience working in a secure inpatient setting
Desirable
- Experience of working with service users who have challenging behaviours
- Some experience of delivering training relevant to SALT
Skills and Competencies
Essential
- Ability to use IT systems, time management skills and ability to prioritise work load
- Comprehensive continuous assessment of skills
- Risk assessment and management skills
- Able to provide evidence based therapeutic interventions
- Good, effective communication skills
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential
- Recognised Speech and Language therapy degree qualification
- Registration with HCPC
- A commitment to attain a dysphagia qualification and practice in this clinical area when appropriate
Desirable
- Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
- A qualification, level of understanding and skills to provide assessment and treatment in dysphagia
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Knowledge of relevant theories relating to communication disorders
- Experience and knowledge of appropriate assessments and evidence based interventions to service users with communication needs
- Ability to develop therapeutic partnership and experience of working to deliver treatment plans with service users and carers
- Good communication skills and ability to deliver a variety of strategies to support adults with complex communication and cognitive needs
- Understanding of the statutory issues which impact on service users
- Knowledge of roles of different members of and the ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team
- Some experience working with service users within the area of the post applied for
- Awareness and some experience working in a secure inpatient setting
Desirable
- Experience of working with service users who have challenging behaviours
- Some experience of delivering training relevant to SALT
Skills and Competencies
Essential
- Ability to use IT systems, time management skills and ability to prioritise work load
- Comprehensive continuous assessment of skills
- Risk assessment and management skills
- Able to provide evidence based therapeutic interventions
- Good, effective communication 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).
