Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Specialist Speech & Language Therapist

The closing date is 18 January 2026

Job summary

We are looking for a Speech and Language Therapist who is passionate about improving the lives of autistic young people and adults to join our innovative Transforming Care Autism Team (TCAT).

This post can also be offered as a Band 6 developmental post.

Main duties of the job

The MDT is Sussex wide and provides specialist assessment and consultation to colleagues in SPFT working with adults and young people aged 14 upwards who have a diagnosis of autism who are at risk of a mental health hospital admission.

The successful candidate will have experience in working with autistic people with presentations of risk and liaising with a range of different agencies.

The team supports a neuroaffirmative understanding of the individual's needs in relation to their neurodiversity in order to support discharge from inpatient services or avoid admissions.

About us

The multi-disciplinary team works with individuals, their families, care providers, other SPFT teams and agencies across East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton and Hove. The successful candidate will have experience in working with autistic people with presentations of risk and liaising with a range of different agencies.

Details

Date posted

11 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year Per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

354-LD-20315

Job locations

East Brighton CMHC

Brighton

BN2 3EW


Job description

Job responsibilities

This is a great opportunity to join a supportive multidisciplinary team comprised of clinical psychologists, occupational therapists, peer support workers and therapy assistants. We are focused on achieving great outcomes for individuals and are contributing to the development of practice across the Trust. Supervision, training and peer support are at the heart of team practice.

You will report to the Principal Speech and Language Therapist and the Operational Team Leader and be responsible for specialist speech and language therapy assessments, consultations and making recommendations.

The team operates with a mix of virtual and face to face meetings and assessments.

We would consider applicants as a B6 development post on completion of agreed competencies.

Job description

Job responsibilities

This is a great opportunity to join a supportive multidisciplinary team comprised of clinical psychologists, occupational therapists, peer support workers and therapy assistants. We are focused on achieving great outcomes for individuals and are contributing to the development of practice across the Trust. Supervision, training and peer support are at the heart of team practice.

You will report to the Principal Speech and Language Therapist and the Operational Team Leader and be responsible for specialist speech and language therapy assessments, consultations and making recommendations.

The team operates with a mix of virtual and face to face meetings and assessments.

We would consider applicants as a B6 development post on completion of agreed competencies.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Recognised Speech & LanguageTherapy Degree or Master's Qualification or equivalent
  • Health Professions Council - license to practice

Experience

Essential

  • Extensive postgraduate experience asa Speech & Language Therapist with experience of working with autistic individuals
  • Experience of working in mental health settings
  • Awareness of the wider context of the NHS within a specialist clinical field.
  • Knowledge of assessment tools relevant to the client group
  • Knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions (relevant to client group)
  • Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance / audit
  • Knowledge of record keeping standards
  • Ability to adapt written and verbal communication to suit the needs of people with communication and learning disabilities. This may include Makaton signing, symbols and pictures etc
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Recognised Speech & LanguageTherapy Degree or Master's Qualification or equivalent
  • Health Professions Council - license to practice

Experience

Essential

  • Extensive postgraduate experience asa Speech & Language Therapist with experience of working with autistic individuals
  • Experience of working in mental health settings
  • Awareness of the wider context of the NHS within a specialist clinical field.
  • Knowledge of assessment tools relevant to the client group
  • Knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions (relevant to client group)
  • Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance / audit
  • Knowledge of record keeping standards
  • Ability to adapt written and verbal communication to suit the needs of people with communication and learning disabilities. This may include Makaton signing, symbols and pictures etc

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

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

East Brighton CMHC

Brighton

BN2 3EW


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

East Brighton CMHC

Brighton

BN2 3EW


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Principle Speech and Language Therapist

Natasha Frost

natasha.frost1@nhs.net

07741193963

Details

Date posted

11 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year Per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

354-LD-20315

Job locations

East Brighton CMHC

Brighton

BN2 3EW


Supporting documents

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