Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

Band 6 Specialist Speech & Language Therapist - Royal Wootton Bassett

The closing date is 05 January 2026

Job summary

We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated SaLT to join our Specialised Learning Disability Therapy Team at Horizons College.

We provide therapy within the specialist college for young adults aged 16-25 with learning disabilities, autism, and/or profound multiple physical needs.

Main duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Providing comprehensive SaLT assessment and interventions within the classroom setting.
  • Working with learners and staff to integrate the use of AAC and communication devices.
  • Embedding communication strategies and delivering staff training.

You will be part of a professional, multi-disciplinary team that values a holistic approach to care. You will also belong to AWP's network of SaLTs and have opportunities to support service development.

You will use your skills to work with those with complex health needs by supporting education staff to promote inclusion and break down barriers to learning.

There are many opportunities to develop your skills. We provide Continuing Professional Development and career progression opportunities. We are committed to promoting wellbeing and offer clinical supervision, annual appraisal, and reflective practice sessions.

Main duties of the job

Key Responsibilities

Provide SaLT assessment, working collaboratively with the learner and the MDT towards shared goals.

Communicate effectively within a multidisciplinary setting.

Integrate into the college curriculum to support the removal of barriers to learning.

Promote a Total Communication Environment.

Provide training and development to staff.

Offer advice and support to service users, families, carers, and the MDT.

Communicate findings from assessments effectively.

Set and evaluate joint targets with college staff in accordance with individual EHCP requirements.

Create and implement therapy programmes and resources.

Implement low-tech and high-tech augmentative and alternative communication solutions.

Participate in MDT meetings and Annual Reviews.

Interface with a range of health and other statutory and voluntary agencies for the benefit of the learner.

Communicate the role and values of the SaLT service effectively in a variety of situations.

Adapt communication skills and use developed strategies to meet the needs of individuals who may have alternative communication needs and who present with physical, cognitive, speech, language, or sensory impairments.

Use therapeutic skills to negotiate and motivate learners to engage with intervention and ensure their informed consent and involvement.

Please see the attached job description for a full list of duties and responsibilities.

About us

We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust): a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.

We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire, and in parts of Dorset.

Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees provide better care.

AWP is committed to supporting and creating a positive research and evidence-based environment and culture, which can have a beneficial impact on everyone who works for the organisation and the care we provide to those who use our services.

At AWP, we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds. We are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.

Details

Date posted

04 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

342-SS170-1225

Job locations

Horizons College

Unit 5 Interface Business Park

Royal Wootton Bassett

SN4 8QQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Manage a caseload of clients with a range of communication and swallowing difficulties, as allocated by the multidisciplinary team.
  • Assess and diagnose swallowing and communication difficulties.
  • Implement programmes of treatment, as agreed with service users and carers.
  • Evaluate treatment programmes according to SLT-specific outcome measures and other measures used within the service.
  • Provide advice and ongoing support for the management of swallowing and communication difficulties in a variety of settings, including care homes and the persons home.
  • Act in a consultative capacity within the team and on behalf of the wider service, contributing to the management of people with complex needs.
  • Actively contribute to the strategic development of the service within the wider development strategies of the LDU and AWP.
  • Provide statistics and other information for use in research projects and quality reporting.
  • Develop and promote the use of assistive technology in adults with LD/ASD.
  • Manage a caseload of clients with a range of communication and swallowing difficulties, as allocated by the multidisciplinary team.
  • Assess and diagnose swallowing and communication difficulties.
  • Implement programmes of treatment, as agreed with service users and carers.
  • Evaluate treatment programmes according to SLT-specific outcome measures and other measures used within the service.
  • Provide advice and ongoing support for the management of swallowing and communication difficulties in a variety of settings, including care homes and the persons home.
  • Act in a consultative capacity within the team and on behalf of the wider service, contributing to the management of people with complex needs.
  • Actively contribute to the strategic development of the service within the wider development strategies of the LDU and AWP.
  • Provide statistics and other information for use in research projects and quality reporting.
  • Develop and promote the use of assistive technology in adults with LD/ASD

Most Challenging Part of this role

The post holder is expected to provide an SLT service to people with learning disabilities and/or autism spectrum condition within the strategic objectives of the service and in accordance with national guidelines, while working with limited resources. This involves a high level of responsibility for prioritising tasks and managing time effectively.

The post holder is expected to provide an SLT service to people with learning disabilities and/or autism spectrum condition within the strategic objectives of the service and in accordance with national guidelines, while working with limited resources. This involves a high level of responsibility for prioritising tasks and managing time effectively.

Please see the attached job description for a full list of duties and responsibilities.

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Manage a caseload of clients with a range of communication and swallowing difficulties, as allocated by the multidisciplinary team.
  • Assess and diagnose swallowing and communication difficulties.
  • Implement programmes of treatment, as agreed with service users and carers.
  • Evaluate treatment programmes according to SLT-specific outcome measures and other measures used within the service.
  • Provide advice and ongoing support for the management of swallowing and communication difficulties in a variety of settings, including care homes and the persons home.
  • Act in a consultative capacity within the team and on behalf of the wider service, contributing to the management of people with complex needs.
  • Actively contribute to the strategic development of the service within the wider development strategies of the LDU and AWP.
  • Provide statistics and other information for use in research projects and quality reporting.
  • Develop and promote the use of assistive technology in adults with LD/ASD.
  • Manage a caseload of clients with a range of communication and swallowing difficulties, as allocated by the multidisciplinary team.
  • Assess and diagnose swallowing and communication difficulties.
  • Implement programmes of treatment, as agreed with service users and carers.
  • Evaluate treatment programmes according to SLT-specific outcome measures and other measures used within the service.
  • Provide advice and ongoing support for the management of swallowing and communication difficulties in a variety of settings, including care homes and the persons home.
  • Act in a consultative capacity within the team and on behalf of the wider service, contributing to the management of people with complex needs.
  • Actively contribute to the strategic development of the service within the wider development strategies of the LDU and AWP.
  • Provide statistics and other information for use in research projects and quality reporting.
  • Develop and promote the use of assistive technology in adults with LD/ASD

Most Challenging Part of this role

The post holder is expected to provide an SLT service to people with learning disabilities and/or autism spectrum condition within the strategic objectives of the service and in accordance with national guidelines, while working with limited resources. This involves a high level of responsibility for prioritising tasks and managing time effectively.

The post holder is expected to provide an SLT service to people with learning disabilities and/or autism spectrum condition within the strategic objectives of the service and in accordance with national guidelines, while working with limited resources. This involves a high level of responsibility for prioritising tasks and managing time effectively.

Please see the attached job description for a full list of duties and responsibilities.

Person Specification

Shortlisting

Essential

  • Relevant Qualification
  • Experience post qualification

Desirable

  • Experience in working with people with Learning Disabilities
  • Dysphagia Trained
Person Specification

Shortlisting

Essential

  • Relevant Qualification
  • Experience post qualification

Desirable

  • Experience in working with people with Learning Disabilities
  • Dysphagia Trained

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Horizons College

Unit 5 Interface Business Park

Royal Wootton Bassett

SN4 8QQ


Employer's website

http://www.awp.nhs.uk/about-us/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Horizons College

Unit 5 Interface Business Park

Royal Wootton Bassett

SN4 8QQ


Employer's website

http://www.awp.nhs.uk/about-us/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Therapy Team Lead

Paula Baxter-Jones

paulabbaxter-jones@nhs.net

01793481493

Details

Date posted

04 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

342-SS170-1225

Job locations

Horizons College

Unit 5 Interface Business Park

Royal Wootton Bassett

SN4 8QQ


Supporting documents

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