developing speech and language therapist

Leeds and York Partnership; Leeds; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare organization in Leeds is looking for a Speech and Language Therapist to develop and implement assessments for patients with mental health conditions. The role includes working both independently and within a multi-disciplinary team, providing vital communication and dysphagia support. Competitive benefits like flexible working hours and employee wellness programs are offered. Join a supportive team dedicated to enhancing patient care within the Complex Psychosis Pathway. This position promises professional growth and meaningful contributions to service users' well-being.

Benefits

27-33 days annual leave

Flexible working hours

NHS Pension Scheme

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in providing dysphagia and communication assessments.
• Ability to work autonomously within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Excellent interpersonal skills for group and individual sessions.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive dysphagia assessments and interventions.
• Conduct group sessions to enhance communication for service users.
• Collaborate with other allied health professionals in the team.

Skills

Dysphagia assessment

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

Relevant degree in Speech and Language Therapy

Tools

Assessment tools

Job description

Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a developing speech and language therapist to work within the new Complex Psychosis Pathway (CPP) in Leeds. This is a fantastic chance to play a key role in a developing and dynamic service where there is a high level of need. The new role would provide the opportunity to practice autonomously and be involved in the development of Speech and Language Therapy provision for this service user group, in addition to joining a growing and supportive team of speech and language therapy professionals across LYPFT.

Key Responsibilities

The role will provide dysphagia and communication assessments and interventions to adults who have a mental health condition. Intervention includes individual and group sessions, working inclusively with service users and with the MDT.

The CPP works with adults who have a severe and enduring mental illness and consists of three in‑patient wards based in the community, as well as a community rehabilitation team. The service has an effective and dynamic multi‑disciplinary team consisting of psychologists, occupational therapists, dietitians, nurses, healthy living advisors and support staff.

The role will be operationally responsible to a Clinical Team Manager within the CPP and clinically responsible to the Principal Speech and Language Therapist and Strategic Lead for Allied Health Professionals. Please note in late Spring 2026, Newsam Ward 5 will be relocating to our own redeveloped site located at Parkside Lodge, Stanningley Road, Armley, Leeds.

The post holder will work within the Complex Psychosis Service based at the Asket site and the Newsam Centre to deliver high‑quality dysphagia and communication assessment and intervention to our caseload of service users with severe and enduring mental illness. The role involves inpatient based work as well as consultation and advice for service users supported by the Community Rehabilitation Team.

The post holder will be a valued member of the multi‑disciplinary multi‑agency leadership teams in rehabilitation, providing expertise, skills and knowledge in areas such as service development and research. There will be opportunities for joint working and support with allied health professionals across the wider organisation.

Qualifications & Experience

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need, see the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading.

For a detailed understanding of the role, read the Resourcing Brochure that sits with the Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides you with information to help you apply.

Benefits

Benefits of working for LYPFT include fantastic employee wellbeing support, 27‑33 days annual leave, flexible working and remote working arrangements, the NHS Pension Scheme, coaching, support and opportunities for career development and training and education support, alongside a range of exclusive discounts and payment schemes including for cars, extra leave days and more NHS Discount Offers.

We also have a bank department, offering a variety of roles in nursing, allied health professions, healthcare support worker and administration clerical. Permanent employees are automatically added to the bank.

Recruitment & Application

All our information is available in accessible formats. Please contact the Recruitment team at [email protected].

Attached to this advert is our candidates guide to values‑based recruitment and supporting guidance on how to make a successful application.

If you require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Recruitment Team or see the attached candidate guide to reasonable adjustments.

Applicants should be aware that individuals requiring a visa to work in the UK, the Trust only provides sponsorship for registered healthcare practitioner roles (this does not include Healthcare Support Workers). This is an essential requirement, and the Trust is unable to offer you a role if you do not meet Trust requirements for sponsorship and Home Office requirements for a visa.

Fixed‑term contracts for existing NHS employees and temporary contracts for employees of LYPFT, or colleagues joining from another NHS Trust, will be offered on a secondment basis wherever possible. If this is not possible, an FTC would be issued requiring a break in service of two weeks. A temporary role may be for maternity cover, temporary funding or other reasons. At the end of which the need for the temporary work will cease. Temporary roles can stop, be extended and/or become permanent at any point. If the role becomes permanent, the post‑holder will be informed of the process to convert the position to a permanent one.

All new employees are required to subscribe to the DBS Update Service.

Patient safety is a priority at LYPFT with a focus on system‑based improvement and creating opportunities for learning. We will ensure compassionate engagement with all those involved in an incident and any incidents are met with a proportionate response. LYPFT is committed to upholding its statutory responsibilities in relation to safeguarding adults and children. Refer to the job description for further information.

LYPFT is a member of the Disability Confident scheme and is committed to providing a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process.

As part of the Trust's commitment to its Gold Standard Armed Forces Covenant status, members of the Armed Forces Community are entitled to a guaranteed interview subject to meeting the role criteria.

We welcome applicants with lived experience of providing unpaid care and/or support to a family member or friend with a disability, health condition, frailty, mental health problem, addiction or other health needs.

Please note that the Trust reserves the right to close the vacancy before the closing date if enough applications are received. It is in the candidate's best interest to apply as soon as possible. In submitting an application form, you authorise Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust to confirm any previous NHS service details via the ESR IAT process should you be appointed to the post.

In applying for a role, please ensure you only declare qualifications that are relevant to the role itself. We reserve the right to check all declared qualifications on an application form, whether they are directly relevant to the role or not.

The Trust does not offer reimbursement of interview expenses.

Legal & EEO Statements

We welcome applicants with lived experience of providing unpaid care and/or support to a family member or friend with a disability, health condition, frailty, mental health problem, addiction or other health needs.

LYPFT is a member of the Disability Confident scheme and is committed to providing a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process.