Job summary
Are you passionate about making a real impact in healthcare through compassionate, patient-centred care? We're seeking an experienced Senior Speech and Language Therapist (SSLT) to lead transformative change in reducing restrictive practices within our healthcare setting. This role offers the chance to shape patient care, influence policy, and lead a dedicated team focused on dignity and autonomy.
The SSLT will be at the forefront of transforming in-patient services into models of least restrictive, person-centered care. This dynamic leader will drive evidence-based practices and set professional standards, especially for complex cases involving challenging behaviours and enhanced observations. As an autonomous practitioner, the SSLT will deliver advanced clinical expertise, offering vital coaching, feedback, and support to empower clinical teams.
The SSLT will be part of a team spearheading the Trust's Safe and Supportive Observations strategy, promote therapeutic, recovery-focused interventions, and lead crucial 14+ day independent reviews. Their impact will extend to shaping educational programs and clinical guidelines, ensuring our staff possess up-to-date skills and knowledge.
Providing expertise across the Trust, the SSLT will contribute to the Safety, Experience and Effectiveness committees.
Please note this is a fixed term/secondment opportunity for 18 months
Main duties of the job
As our new Senior Speech and Language Therapist, you'll step into a vibrant, supportive team where we empower each other to be the best version of ourselves, all for the benefit of those we care for. This role offers the exciting opportunity to make a real difference across our Mental Health and Learning Disability inpatient wards, spanning the diverse regions of Hertfordshire, Essex, and Norfolk.
In this pivotal position, you'll be instrumental in shaping the future of our Trust's approach to enhanced observations. We recognise that while keeping service users safe is paramount, traditional observation practices can sometimes feel counter intuitive and infringe upon human rights. That's where your expertise comes in. You'll lead the charge in reviewing current practices, guiding our wards towards reducing unnecessary observation levels, and driving the Trust's progressive new approach.
This role isn't just about staying in one place--your influence will be felt across all our inpatient wards, requiring you to travel regularly. A car will be essential as you bring your vision and leadership to every corner of the Trust.
About us
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from theCare Quality Commission.
Our family of over 4,000 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. Everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:
Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.
Job description
Job responsibilities
In your new role you will:
Lead the implementation of the SASO strategy which includes leadership of relevant stakeholders recruited to the programme.
Involvement in the development of the Trust SASO educational programme ensuring that the national standards are adhered to.
Provide expert clinical practice and leadership for SASO , which will involve providing clinical advice, coaching support and constructive challenge to colleagues in respect to service users on high level of observation and encouraging the least restrictive option wherever possible.
To promote co-production to manage enhance observation which would involve working closely and communicating with service users, their families and carers.
For more detailed information on the position, please access the Job Description and Person Specification documents provided. Secondments welcome
Job description
Job responsibilities
In your new role you will:
Lead the implementation of the SASO strategy which includes leadership of relevant stakeholders recruited to the programme.
Involvement in the development of the Trust SASO educational programme ensuring that the national standards are adhered to.
Provide expert clinical practice and leadership for SASO , which will involve providing clinical advice, coaching support and constructive challenge to colleagues in respect to service users on high level of observation and encouraging the least restrictive option wherever possible.
To promote co-production to manage enhance observation which would involve working closely and communicating with service users, their families and carers.
For more detailed information on the position, please access the Job Description and Person Specification documents provided. Secondments welcome
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION TRAINING
Essential
- BSc/MSc/PG Dip Speech and Language Therapy
- HCPC registration
- Evidence of clinical post registration training
- Proficient use of Microsoft Office and associated packages
- Practice Placement qualification
- Awareness of Eating, Drinking and Swallowing (dysphagia) needs
Desirable
- Membership of RCSLT
- First line management training
- Dysphagia Training
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Experience of working with people with mental health problems and/or learning disability in a variety of health and social care settings
- Applied experience of providing both individual and group work interventions
- Highly Specialist knowledge and experience of using and applying Speech and Language Therapy assessment tools and interventions
- Documented evidence of continuing professional development
- Experience in providing advice, support and clinical supervision to junior staff and/or students
Desirable
- Post registration experience in acute mental health
- Involvement in recruiting staff
- Experience in research or audit
- Previous experience of having worked at Band 7 level
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION TRAINING
Essential
- BSc/MSc/PG Dip Speech and Language Therapy
- HCPC registration
- Evidence of clinical post registration training
- Proficient use of Microsoft Office and associated packages
- Practice Placement qualification
- Awareness of Eating, Drinking and Swallowing (dysphagia) needs
Desirable
- Membership of RCSLT
- First line management training
- Dysphagia Training
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Experience of working with people with mental health problems and/or learning disability in a variety of health and social care settings
- Applied experience of providing both individual and group work interventions
- Highly Specialist knowledge and experience of using and applying Speech and Language Therapy assessment tools and interventions
- Documented evidence of continuing professional development
- Experience in providing advice, support and clinical supervision to junior staff and/or students
Desirable
- Post registration experience in acute mental health
- Involvement in recruiting staff
- Experience in research or audit
- Previous experience of having worked at Band 7 level
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.
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.
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).
