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

Assistant Practitioner (SALT)

The closing date is 02 April 2026

Job summary

We have the exciting opportunity to appoint a full-time band 4 Assistant Practitioner - Speech and Language Therapy to work into the mental health and learning disabilities wards in Newcastle.

We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic individual who is 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 patients. You will support the speech and language therapy work within the inpatient team based at St Nicholas Hospital in Newcastle.

The inpatient speech and language therapy team is dynamic and passionate about providing person centred care. We would welcome applications from enthusiastic, hardworking individuals who are keen to learn new skills and develop their knowledge within the field of mental health. Previous experience of working with people with mental health conditions and/or learning disabilities is desirable, but not essential.

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 inpatients 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 candidate will be able to demonstrate excellent awareness of communication difficulties and have excellent IT skills.

About us

The Speech and Language Therapy Service in Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust is continuing to develop 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.

NHS Employees identified as at risk of compulsory redundancy and those eligible for the NENC Re-Deployment careers hub will receive prior consideration.

Date posted

19 March 2026

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-SS26-022-AD

Job locations

St Nicholas Hospital

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE3 3XT

Job description

Job responsibilities

There will be an element of travelling involved as part of this post.

Please find attached job description for full details.

Advertising date : 19th March 2026

Closing date : 2nd April 2026

We welcome your application.

Job description

Job responsibilities

There will be an element of travelling involved as part of this post.

Please find attached job description for full details.

Advertising date : 19th March 2026

Closing date : 2nd April 2026

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
Experience of working with individuals with communication difficulties.

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
Experience of working with individuals with communication difficulties.

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.