Band 6 Speech & Language Therapist - Autism Enhanced Support Team

Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust; Metropolitan Borough of Solihull; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional mental health service provider in Birmingham is seeking an experienced Speech and Language Therapist. The role involves providing specialist therapy to individuals with autism, ensuring holistic support in community and hospital settings. Responsibilities include managing caseloads, developing care packages, and clinical oversight. Ideal candidates must be HCPC registered and possess strong communication skills. Competitive salary and relocation assistance may be offered.

Benefits

Relocation expenses reimbursement up to £8,000

Comprehensive training and induction programme

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• Must be an experienced HCPC registered Speech and Language Therapist.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist Speech and Language Therapy across Birmingham and Solihull.
• Ensure communication and support for service users and families.
• Develop confidence and competence within teams.
• Hold caseload and utilise therapeutic interventions to avoid hospital admissions.
• Provide clinical guidance to others in risk assessment and management.

Skills

Speech and Language Therapy

Communication skills

Intervention strategies

Risk assessment

Education

HCPC registered Speech and Language Therapist

Job description

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist Speech and Language Therapy across Birmingham and Solihull as part of the Autism Enhanced Support Team within BSMHFT.
• Ensure appropriate communication, support and intervention takes place with service users, families and other stakeholders to offer immediate care and support for those at risk of admission to a mental health hospital bed and requiring enhanced support within the community or hospital setting.
• Provide specific therapeutic assessment and interventions with individuals who have diverse needs in language, communication, swallowing and social interaction skills and a diagnosis of autism.
• Develop confidence and competence within teams for managing complex clinical cases and issues.
• Hold caseload working proactively utilising therapeutic interventions and person‑centred approaches to avoid hospital admission for service users with autism, maintaining a flexible and responsive approach at all times.
• Serve as a specialist therapeutic resource to support early discharge and develop highly specialised care packages for patients transitioning from in‑patient areas and living within community settings, and develop junior staff and students.
• Ensure timely delivery of clinical care as an experienced HCPC registered Speech and Language Therapist and work within the Autism Intensive Support Service alongside Senior Specialist Learning Disability and Autism clinicians and the Head of Learning Disability and Autism, whilst reporting and governance remains aligned to Corporate AHP service provisions.
• Deliver specialist clinical care in line with clinical pathways between an Autism Enhanced Support Team within BSMHFT and other services (both internal and external).
• Provide clinical guidance to others in risk assessment, risk management and positive problem solving when supporting people with autism and co‑existing conditions requiring intensive and crisis support and lead on debriefs following incidents.
• Work alongside senior clinical leads and colleagues to support oversight and coordination of the inpatient cohort, including admission avoidance strategies, facilitate the discharge of individuals and ensure those delayed in discharge receive appropriate clinical and professional support.
• Contribute to the delivery and ongoing development of the service alongside colleagues within the trust and partner organisations.

Qualifications

Experienced HCPC registered Speech and Language Therapist.

About the Trust

Welcome to Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. Our 4000 clinical and support staff help us to improve mental health wellbeing and meet the needs of the 70,000 people we serve each year. We provide a range of mental healthcare services across Birmingham and Solihull, as well as specialised services nationally. We also offer medical, nursing and psychology training and are proud of our international reputation for both research and innovation.

Our population is culturally diverse, characterised in places by high levels of deprivation which create an increasing demand for our services and a necessity for us to make sure everyone can access the help they need. We are a team of compassionate, inclusive and committed people working together to provide excellent care to support our community. If you are looking for a place to belong, where you can make a real difference to people's lives, join our team where our warm welcome is waiting for you.

Equal Opportunities

Our Trust is committed to treating individuals fairly and ensuring they have the same opportunities to fulfil their potential, even if this means doing things differently for different people sometimes. We are working hard to ensure our workforce reflects the diversity within Birmingham and Solihull and that our services meet the needs of all diverse service users and carers.

Safeguarding

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of our safe recruitment practice pre‑employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. As part of the selection process you may be required to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, however all cases of criminal record history are dealt with on a case by case basis.

Recruitment and DBS

Please note, if applicable for your role you will be required to cover the cost of your DBS certificate. This will be deducted from your salary over 3 months. You will also be required to sign up to the DBS Update Service before commencement with the Trust. The Trust will reimburse this. You will be contractually obliged to maintain your subscription.

Training and Induction

All successful applicants will be required to complete the Trust's induction programme. The Fundamental (Statutory and Mandatory) training will be in an e-learning format. You will be required to complete training modules online (approx. 9-14 hours depending on post) by the end of your second week with us.

Application Process

If you are successful at the shortlisting stage of the recruitment process we may contact you via email to advise you of the interview details. Please ensure you access your email account from which you applied regularly once the position has closed. Our selection process may involve more than one interview or assessment.

Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the United Kingdom (UK) are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. However, please ensure that you check if this role meets the eligibility criteria for sponsorship. Non UK /Republic of Ireland candidates wishing to apply can self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship here Browse: Work in the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). The minimum salary threshold for a Health and Social Care is £25,000 and for the Skilled Worker route is £38,700. If the starting salary for this role is below this, we will not be able to provide sponsorship.

Relocation

Relocation expenses may be reimbursed subject to eligibility. The policy provides for reimbursement up to £8,000.