Greater Manchester Mental Health NHSFT

Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

The closing date is 08 August 2025

Job summary

We are very excited to advertise a new B7 Speech and Language Therapy position within the Adult Forensic Services (AFS) at GMMH.

As GMMH is transforming its services to maximise patient outcomes, this new role will work to provide both direct and indirect service user assessment and intervention and provide training to the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT).

Collaborative work with the MDT will include working with other Allied Health Professionals, Advanced Clinical Practitioners, Psychiatrists, Psychological Services and Physical Healthcare Teams.

Main duties of the job

To Provide highly specialist Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) to service users (some of whom may present with very high risk behaviours) across inpatient Adult Forensic Services (AFS). This will include communication and swallowing assessment and interventions. The post holder will also provide wider consultative support and training for colleagues.

Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) NHS Foundation Trust provides secure forensic mental health services for the population of Greater Manchester. GMMH Adult Forensic Services comprise: a male medium secure unit, a male low secure unit, a male forensic stepdown unit, a women's blended service, and a Specialist Community Forensic Team.

As this is a new role, there will also be opportunities to develop Speech and Language Therapy pathways across AFS, working alongside clinical and operational AFS colleagues and Speech and Language Therapy and AHP leads.

This role will offer unique opportunities to further develop specialist skills used in assessment and intervention of adults with developmental, acquired and mental health communication and swallowing difficulties.

The Speech and Language Therapy and AFS teams are very much looking forward to having this invaluable position within AFS!

About us

reater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over6,400members of staff, who deliver services from more than160locations.

We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford,Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.

Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.

Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.

Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.

Details

Date posted

22 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year Per Annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

437-7275652

Job locations

Edenfield Centre - Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

Bury New Road

Prestwich, Manchester

M25 3BL


Job description

Job responsibilities

See attached detailed job description and person specification:

Staff benefits

  • Pay Enhancements 30% additional for Evenings (8pm onwards) and Saturdays and 60% additional for Sundays and Bank holidays.
  • 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
  • Excellent pension
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Salary sacrifice car scheme
  • Wellbeing programme
  • Blue Light Card Discounts

Job description

Job responsibilities

See attached detailed job description and person specification:

Staff benefits

  • Pay Enhancements 30% additional for Evenings (8pm onwards) and Saturdays and 60% additional for Sundays and Bank holidays.
  • 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
  • Excellent pension
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Salary sacrifice car scheme
  • Wellbeing programme
  • Blue Light Card Discounts

Person Specification

Education / Qualifications

Essential

  • oDegree in Speech and Language Therapy oRelevant master's degree or equivalent experience and post graduate training oEvidence of successful completion of specialist short courses oMember of RCSLT oHCPC Registration - Licence to Practise

Desirable

  • oMember of relevant CEN oManagement/ Leadership qualification

Experience

Essential

  • oExperience of working in the NHS oPost Graduate experience of working with service users with neurodevelopmental (including neurodivergent) swallowing and communication difficulties oExperience of working as an independent and autonomous practitioner oMDT working oEvaluating different models of service delivery and implementing change that led to service improvements. oExperience of standard setting and participating and leading clinical audit in own area oProviding specialist training to the broader MDT in relation to communication and swallowing

Desirable

  • oPost Graduate experience of working with adult acquired communication and swallowing difficulties oPost Graduate experience of working with service users with mental health conditions oWorking with adults with social, emotional and mental health needs in a forensic/secure setting. oContribution to clinical formulation and differential diagnosis

Knowledge

Essential

  • oSpecialist knowledge and application of current best practice for adults in both physical and mental health settings underpinned by theory and practical experience oDemonstrate knowledge of the needs of service users within Forensic settings oKnowledge of relevant Forensic policies and practice, For example, the provision of physical healthcare in the Forensic settings oAbility to contribute towards strategic planning oDemonstrate an understanding of the professional/legal issues e.g. confidentiality, consent, and best interests oKnowledge of clinical governance and its application

Skills and Abilities

Essential

  • oDeliver effective Speech and Language Therapy assessment and intervention in non-traditional and sometimes challenging environments oBe able to work autonomously to manage a complex caseload oDemonstrate effective communication skills oDeveloped auditory and perceptual skills oEffective assessment and care planning skills oExcellent decision making, problem solving and negotiating skills oAbility to work flexibly and cooperatively as part of a team oCommitment to promoting Speech and Language Therapy Service within Forensic Settings oSelf-aware and committed to professional and personal development oIndependent report writing

Desirable

  • oRecognise, plan and carry out research/quality improvement projects

Other Requirements

Essential

  • oWillingness to work flexibly in accordance with the service needs oGood work attendance record Mental Effort Able to maintain intense concentration and respond flexibly to unpredictable work patterns, deadlines, and frequent interruptions. Emotional Effort The post holder may be required to impart potentially distressing and unexpected information of a diagnostic and prognostic nature to service users and carers and may require the ability to deal with sensitive or distressing information from carers or service users. Frequently dealing with service users who may have a history of/currently be in, an emotionally distressing circumstance. Physical Effort There may be prolonged times working statically at a desk. There may be times when being seated or stood for prolonged periods is necessary to engage service users. Working conditions There will be a requirement to deal appropriately with unpleasant conditions related to service user contact on a frequent basis, e.g. swallowing assessments and the production of sputum and saliva or close contact with those with poor oral or personal hygiene. Involvement in personal care when taking an MDT approach to rehabilitation. To be able to provide a person-centred approach to assessment and intervention whilst adhering to AFS service standards and working in potentially restrictive environments/non traditional therapeutic environments. The post holder may be infrequently exposed to verbally or occasionally physically aggressive behaviours. There may be infrequent requirement to travel across the wide footprint of the Trust

Desirable

  • Innovative and self-directing
Person Specification

Education / Qualifications

Essential

  • oDegree in Speech and Language Therapy oRelevant master's degree or equivalent experience and post graduate training oEvidence of successful completion of specialist short courses oMember of RCSLT oHCPC Registration - Licence to Practise

Desirable

  • oMember of relevant CEN oManagement/ Leadership qualification

Experience

Essential

  • oExperience of working in the NHS oPost Graduate experience of working with service users with neurodevelopmental (including neurodivergent) swallowing and communication difficulties oExperience of working as an independent and autonomous practitioner oMDT working oEvaluating different models of service delivery and implementing change that led to service improvements. oExperience of standard setting and participating and leading clinical audit in own area oProviding specialist training to the broader MDT in relation to communication and swallowing

Desirable

  • oPost Graduate experience of working with adult acquired communication and swallowing difficulties oPost Graduate experience of working with service users with mental health conditions oWorking with adults with social, emotional and mental health needs in a forensic/secure setting. oContribution to clinical formulation and differential diagnosis

Knowledge

Essential

  • oSpecialist knowledge and application of current best practice for adults in both physical and mental health settings underpinned by theory and practical experience oDemonstrate knowledge of the needs of service users within Forensic settings oKnowledge of relevant Forensic policies and practice, For example, the provision of physical healthcare in the Forensic settings oAbility to contribute towards strategic planning oDemonstrate an understanding of the professional/legal issues e.g. confidentiality, consent, and best interests oKnowledge of clinical governance and its application

Skills and Abilities

Essential

  • oDeliver effective Speech and Language Therapy assessment and intervention in non-traditional and sometimes challenging environments oBe able to work autonomously to manage a complex caseload oDemonstrate effective communication skills oDeveloped auditory and perceptual skills oEffective assessment and care planning skills oExcellent decision making, problem solving and negotiating skills oAbility to work flexibly and cooperatively as part of a team oCommitment to promoting Speech and Language Therapy Service within Forensic Settings oSelf-aware and committed to professional and personal development oIndependent report writing

Desirable

  • oRecognise, plan and carry out research/quality improvement projects

Other Requirements

Essential

  • oWillingness to work flexibly in accordance with the service needs oGood work attendance record Mental Effort Able to maintain intense concentration and respond flexibly to unpredictable work patterns, deadlines, and frequent interruptions. Emotional Effort The post holder may be required to impart potentially distressing and unexpected information of a diagnostic and prognostic nature to service users and carers and may require the ability to deal with sensitive or distressing information from carers or service users. Frequently dealing with service users who may have a history of/currently be in, an emotionally distressing circumstance. Physical Effort There may be prolonged times working statically at a desk. There may be times when being seated or stood for prolonged periods is necessary to engage service users. Working conditions There will be a requirement to deal appropriately with unpleasant conditions related to service user contact on a frequent basis, e.g. swallowing assessments and the production of sputum and saliva or close contact with those with poor oral or personal hygiene. Involvement in personal care when taking an MDT approach to rehabilitation. To be able to provide a person-centred approach to assessment and intervention whilst adhering to AFS service standards and working in potentially restrictive environments/non traditional therapeutic environments. The post holder may be infrequently exposed to verbally or occasionally physically aggressive behaviours. There may be infrequent requirement to travel across the wide footprint of the Trust

Desirable

  • Innovative and self-directing

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

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHSFT

Address

Edenfield Centre - Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

Bury New Road

Prestwich, Manchester

M25 3BL


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHSFT

Address

Edenfield Centre - Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

Bury New Road

Prestwich, Manchester

M25 3BL


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Physical Health Team Lead

Clare Bree

clare.bree@gmmh.nhs.uk

07748135947

Details

Date posted

22 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year Per Annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

437-7275652

Job locations

Edenfield Centre - Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

Bury New Road

Prestwich, Manchester

M25 3BL


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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