Band 6 Speech and Language Therapist - Bristol

NHS; Bristol; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity for a Band 6 SLT at NHS, supporting adult inpatient mental health care. The role involves providing specialist dysphagia and communication assessments, training staff, and contributing to a developing team focused on high-quality service delivery in Bristol.

Benefits

Regular CPD sessions

Access to specialist courses

Qualifications

• Registered member of the RCSLT.
• Experience in mental health services is desirable.
• Evidence of work-based learning to demonstrate specialist clinical skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist SLT services to adult inpatients.
• Assessment and treatment for communication and swallowing disorders.
• Train staff on dysphagia management and communication support strategies.

Skills

Communication

Dysphagia management

Teamwork

Education and training

Autonomy

Education

Recognised speech and language therapy qualification

Registered with HCPC

Recognised post-graduate dysphagia qualification

Job description

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for a Band 6 SLT to join the BNSSG adult inpatient mental health service on a fixed term basis, covering maternity leave.

You will work with a high degree of autonomy, providing specialist dysphagia and communication assessment and intervention on working age and older adult mental health wards, and training staff in screening and managing patients' swallowing and communication needs. Most clinical work will be based at Callington Road Hospital (Bristol) and Long Fox Unit (Weston Super Mare).

Experience in mental health or dementia is desirable. However, if you have a background in learning disability, autism, acquired/progressive neurological conditions and developmental SLCN, you will have highly relevant, transferable skills and will be considered if you demonstrate a passion or curiosity for further development in mental health. We welcome applications from suitably experienced Band 5 SLTs, or Band 6 SLTs looking to widen their skill set.

As this is a small, developing team, there is flexibility for the successful candidate to pursue and develop their clinical interests and expertise and work closely with the Band 7 SLT to contribute in shaping the role and the service. You will be part of the trust-wide SLT network, which organises regular CPD and professional support sessions, and have access to specialist courses specific to mental health, if required.

Main duties of the job

To provide a specialist speech and language therapy (SLT) service to adult inpatients with disorders of communication and/or swallowing in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire

Highly skilled assessment and treatment of communication difficulties and eating and drinking difficulties within a caseload of people with complex and enduring mental health disorders.

Providing written information regarding patients' communication and dysphagia needs in the form of reports, care plans and easy read information.

Providing ongoing education to ward and catering staff in the recognition and management of dysphagia.

Providing ongoing education to ward staff in understanding communication difficulties and developing skills in how best to support people with communication needs.

Engaging in joint goal setting with the patient, family and wider MDT.

Advocating for the value of Speech & Language Therapy to the MDT in the diagnosis and management of complex communication and swallowing disorders in the inpatient mental health population.

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 give better care.

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 from 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

02 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

7 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

342-BR088-0625

Job locations

Callington Road Hospital

Bristol

BS4 5BJ

Job description Job responsibilities

The post holder will deliver high quality, specialist SLT services across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG).

Please see Job Description and Person Specification.

Job description Job responsibilities

The post holder will deliver high quality, specialist SLT services across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG).

Please see Job Description and Person Specification.

Person Specification Education and Qualification Essential

• Recognised speech and language therapy qualification
• Registered with HCPC
• Registered member of the RCSLT
• Recognised post-graduate dysphagia qualification/accredited training
• Working at Proficient Level of the RCSLT Speech and Language Therapist Eating, Drinking and Swallowing Competency Framework (2025) or Level C of the RCSLT Dysphagia Training and Competency Framework (2014)

Desirable

• Post-qualifying education/CPD in relevant areas (incl LD, forensic, autism etc)
• Membership of relevant CEN(s)

Experience Essential

• Clear evidence of work-based learning to demonstrate specialist clinical skills.
• Significant post graduate experience of working in dysphagia with a range of client groups.
• Experience of speech and language assessment and treatment of service users across a range of specialist care settings, including Mental Health, Learning Disabilities, Autism, Developmental Language Disorder, Acquired/Progressive Neurological Conditions, Forensic, and Dementia
• Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience of compiling and using accessible information and appropriate range of IT skills to support this.

Desirable

• Experience in conducting instrumental dysphagia assessment (e.g. videofluoroscopy, FEES)

Knowledge Essential

• Knowledge of a range of assessment tools, therapeutic interventions/management strategies relevant to the service user group and an ability to compare and contrast relative benefits of each.
• Specialist knowledge of dealing with complex cases in terms of multiple mental and physical health diagnoses, presentation and the effects of the environment.
• Knowledge of clinical evidence base and relevant literature.

Desirable

• Experience in delivery of structured groups
• Experience of working with people with a range of mental health conditions and presentations including behaviour that challenges
• Knowledge of relevant legislation in relation to the service user group and mental health.

Skills and Abilities Essential

• Able to effectively communicate complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information, orally and in writing, to service users, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS.
• Understanding of clinical risk management and the ability to manage this.
• Skills in providing consultation to other professional and non-professional groups.
• Evidence of continuing professional development as recommended by the RCSLT.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to work with a high level of autonomy, within professional boundaries, seeking support from more senior clinicians where necessary.
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Good time management and prioritization skills
• Good presentation and teaching/training skills

Other Requirements Essential

• Ability to recognise and manage challenging situations in a calm, empathetic and professional manner.

Desirable

• Experience of working within a multicultural framework of assessment, formulation and treatment/intervention

Person Specification Education and Qualification Essential

• Recognised speech and language therapy qualification
• Registered with HCPC
• Registered member of the RCSLT
• Recognised post-graduate dysphagia qualification/accredited training
• Working at Proficient Level of the RCSLT Speech and Language Therapist Eating, Drinking and Swallowing Competency Framework (2025) or Level C of the RCSLT Dysphagia Training and Competency Framework (2014)

Desirable

• Post-qualifying education/CPD in relevant areas (incl LD, forensic, autism etc)
• Membership of relevant CEN(s)

Experience Essential

• Clear evidence of work-based learning to demonstrate specialist clinical skills.
• Significant post graduate experience of working in dysphagia with a range of client groups.
• Experience of speech and language assessment and treatment of service users across a range of specialist care settings, including Mental Health, Learning Disabilities, Autism, Developmental Language Disorder, Acquired/Progressive Neurological Conditions, Forensic, and Dementia
• Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience of compiling and using accessible information and appropriate range of IT skills to support this.

Desirable

• Experience in conducting instrumental dysphagia assessment (e.g. videofluoroscopy, FEES)

Knowledge Essential

• Knowledge of a range of assessment tools, therapeutic interventions/management strategies relevant to the service user group and an ability to compare and contrast relative benefits of each.
• Specialist knowledge of dealing with complex cases in terms of multiple mental and physical health diagnoses, presentation and the effects of the environment.
• Knowledge of clinical evidence base and relevant literature.

Desirable

• Experience in delivery of structured groups
• Experience of working with people with a range of mental health conditions and presentations including behaviour that challenges
• Knowledge of relevant legislation in relation to the service user group and mental health.

Skills and Abilities Essential

• Able to effectively communicate complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information, orally and in writing, to service users, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS.
• Understanding of clinical risk management and the ability to manage this.
• Skills in providing consultation to other professional and non-professional groups.
• Evidence of continuing professional development as recommended by the RCSLT.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to work with a high level of autonomy, within professional boundaries, seeking support from more senior clinicians where necessary.
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Good time management and prioritization skills
• Good presentation and teaching/training skills

Other Requirements Essential

• Ability to recognise and manage challenging situations in a calm, empathetic and professional manner.

Desirable

• Experience of working within a multicultural framework of assessment, formulation and treatment/intervention

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

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Callington Road Hospital

Bristol

BS4 5BJ

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

Callington Road Hospital

Bristol

BS4 5BJ

Employer's website

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