Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Highly specialist Speech and Language Therapist

The closing date is 09 March 2026

Job summary

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. If it is identified that you require sponsorship to undertake this role your application may be withdrawn

Due to an innovative pilot project this 12 month post for an experienced Speech and Language Therapist with specialist clinical skills to meet the communication needs of a forensic population.

Forensic mental health services at MPFT have secured funding to explore the potential impact speech and language therapy input can have on the length of stay of our service users.

This post will work closely with the advanced speech and language therapist to implement this project and provide clinical oversight to the B6 and B5 speech and language therapists.

Main duties of the job

You will be practicing autonomously as a highly specialised SLT within the area of forensic mental health to provide patient -centred clinical care which will encompass the skills of clinical assessment, examination, diagnosis and treatment within their professional scope of practice.You will demonstrate safe, competent clinical decision - making and specialised care, demonstrating clinical critical thinking to meet the needs of service users.You will work collaboratively with wider speech and language teams and stake holders to maintain the delivery of highest quality, integrated speech and language therapy, supporting the delivery of policy and procedure to sustain the delivery of quality, evidenced based care.You will have passion, enthusiasm and specialist knowledge of speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) and will have an active role in the development and support of newly qualified and less experienced staff.

About us

Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.

We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.

We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.

We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications

Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.

Details

Date posted

16 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

301-LBG-26-7802382

Job locations

The Redwoods Centre

Corporation Street

Shrewsbury

SY3 8DS


Job description

Job responsibilities

1. Provide interventions in formed by NICE Guidance and Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy (RCSLT) guidelines as well as other relevant local and national drivers.2. Responsible for prioritising own workload, allocation of work to oneself and other staff, and to cover all levels of priority of work within the service.3. Provide specific communication assessments and advice, as part of the assessment process, culminating in an agreed plan of action and or care and intervention. This would include the use of recognised/agreed standardised Speech and Language Therapy assessment tools alongside profession specific and generic outcome measures 4. Day to day line management responsibility for staff working within the service including management of sickness, performance, recruitment and appraisals.5. Make clinical judgements informed by clinical reasoning and recommendations regarding appropriate actions/sign posting in consultation with multi-disciplinary staff and in accordance with the service specification.6. Carry out specialist assessments (within service specification) to identify communication needs for service users and if indicated develop an agreed action plan of care. 7. Deliver a range of speech and language interventions following specific speech and language therapy assessments to enable understanding of any expression of an unmet need and to maximise an individuals abilities. 8. Complete and contribute to robust risk assessments and risk management plans.9. Lead the management of a complex caseload, which includes specialist assessment (within service specification), care planning in conjunction with service user and carer, evaluation of individual treatment plans (Care Programme Approach).10. Attend clinical meetings as appropriate to facilitate a safe and timely discharge into a community setting and or move on to future placements.11. Knowledge of national, regional and local drivers underpinning service delivery including the provisions of the Mental Health Act 1983 (revised 2007) regulations including Mental Capacity Act (2005), RCSLT Guidelines 12. Actively maintain and demonstrate an up-to-date knowledge of national guidelines, standards, legislation, and professional developments in current methods in the treatment of clients conditions within the specialism.13. Actively engage in the organisations clinical governance initiatives, for example to participate and lead in audit, clinical supervision and bringing critically evaluated evidence and research into practice.14. Participate and lead on research within area of clinical expertise where possible to raise understanding and awareness of the benefits of Speech and Language Therapy and awareness of communication15. Lead on the development and delivery of specialist Speech and Language Therapy education and training to: clients, carers, families staff, students and other relevant organisations.16. To adhere to the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists Code of Ethics and HCPC Professional Code of Conduct, and Core Standards for Speech and Language Therapists.

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. Provide interventions in formed by NICE Guidance and Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy (RCSLT) guidelines as well as other relevant local and national drivers.2. Responsible for prioritising own workload, allocation of work to oneself and other staff, and to cover all levels of priority of work within the service.3. Provide specific communication assessments and advice, as part of the assessment process, culminating in an agreed plan of action and or care and intervention. This would include the use of recognised/agreed standardised Speech and Language Therapy assessment tools alongside profession specific and generic outcome measures 4. Day to day line management responsibility for staff working within the service including management of sickness, performance, recruitment and appraisals.5. Make clinical judgements informed by clinical reasoning and recommendations regarding appropriate actions/sign posting in consultation with multi-disciplinary staff and in accordance with the service specification.6. Carry out specialist assessments (within service specification) to identify communication needs for service users and if indicated develop an agreed action plan of care. 7. Deliver a range of speech and language interventions following specific speech and language therapy assessments to enable understanding of any expression of an unmet need and to maximise an individuals abilities. 8. Complete and contribute to robust risk assessments and risk management plans.9. Lead the management of a complex caseload, which includes specialist assessment (within service specification), care planning in conjunction with service user and carer, evaluation of individual treatment plans (Care Programme Approach).10. Attend clinical meetings as appropriate to facilitate a safe and timely discharge into a community setting and or move on to future placements.11. Knowledge of national, regional and local drivers underpinning service delivery including the provisions of the Mental Health Act 1983 (revised 2007) regulations including Mental Capacity Act (2005), RCSLT Guidelines 12. Actively maintain and demonstrate an up-to-date knowledge of national guidelines, standards, legislation, and professional developments in current methods in the treatment of clients conditions within the specialism.13. Actively engage in the organisations clinical governance initiatives, for example to participate and lead in audit, clinical supervision and bringing critically evaluated evidence and research into practice.14. Participate and lead on research within area of clinical expertise where possible to raise understanding and awareness of the benefits of Speech and Language Therapy and awareness of communication15. Lead on the development and delivery of specialist Speech and Language Therapy education and training to: clients, carers, families staff, students and other relevant organisations.16. To adhere to the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists Code of Ethics and HCPC Professional Code of Conduct, and Core Standards for Speech and Language Therapists.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential

  • Degree in Speech and Language Therapy
  • Health And Care Professions Council Registered Speech and Language Therapist
  • RCSLT Registered
  • Evidence of Continued Professional development
  • Practice Placement Educator

Desirable

  • Leadership qualification
  • Higher Level Degree
  • Post Grad Training in Mental Health Issues Learning disabilities, and challenging behaviour
  • Member of RCSLT, regional clinical Excellence network appropriate to specialist area of post
  • Dysphagia Trained

Experience

Essential

  • Evidence of extensive post registration experience including working with adults experiencing mental health related difficulties, communication issues and cognitive impairment
  • Experience of implementing best practice and ability to carry out clinical audit
  • Experience of integrating care delivery across multi disciplinary /multi agency teams
  • Experience of training and development of other Speech and Language Therapists / support staff Experience of presenting at local/national level

Desirable

  • Extensive experience of working in mental health and or learning disabilities
  • Experience working in community services
Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential

  • Degree in Speech and Language Therapy
  • Health And Care Professions Council Registered Speech and Language Therapist
  • RCSLT Registered
  • Evidence of Continued Professional development
  • Practice Placement Educator

Desirable

  • Leadership qualification
  • Higher Level Degree
  • Post Grad Training in Mental Health Issues Learning disabilities, and challenging behaviour
  • Member of RCSLT, regional clinical Excellence network appropriate to specialist area of post
  • Dysphagia Trained

Experience

Essential

  • Evidence of extensive post registration experience including working with adults experiencing mental health related difficulties, communication issues and cognitive impairment
  • Experience of implementing best practice and ability to carry out clinical audit
  • Experience of integrating care delivery across multi disciplinary /multi agency teams
  • Experience of training and development of other Speech and Language Therapists / support staff Experience of presenting at local/national level

Desirable

  • Extensive experience of working in mental health and or learning disabilities
  • Experience working in community services

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Redwoods Centre

Corporation Street

Shrewsbury

SY3 8DS


Employer's website

https://www.mpft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Redwoods Centre

Corporation Street

Shrewsbury

SY3 8DS


Employer's website

https://www.mpft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Advanced speech and language therapist

Caragh Redding

Caragh.Redding@mpft.nhs.uk

03007907000

Details

Date posted

16 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

301-LBG-26-7802382

Job locations

The Redwoods Centre

Corporation Street

Shrewsbury

SY3 8DS


Supporting documents

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