Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

NHS; Greater London; On-site; GBP 53,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent NHS trust is looking for an experienced Speech and Language Therapist to support individuals with complex needs in both community and inpatient settings. This role requires expertise in assessment and intervention for communication and swallowing difficulties. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in forensic services and exhibit excellent leadership and collaborative skills. Opportunities for part-time hours are available in a dynamic working environment focused on patient-centered care.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 years post‑graduate experience, 2 of which are within the area of specialism.
• Experience in forensics.
• Experience of multi‑disciplinary and inter‑agency working.

Responsibilities

• Provide highly specialist Speech and Language Therapy assessment and intervention.
• Independently manage own caseload and obtain regular supervision.
• Provide leadership and clinically supervise junior colleagues.

Skills

Specialist assessment and intervention

Multi-disciplinary collaboration

Leadership and supervision

Communication skills

Education

Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification

Health Professions Council – Licence to Practice

Registered Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy

Job description

Job Summary

Exciting Opportunity in Forensic Neurodevelopmental Services

We are pleased to offer an exciting full-time position that spans two closely integrated services: the Oxleas Forensic Intellectual and Neurodevelopmental Disability (FIND) Community Team and the inpatient forensic service at the Bracton Centre. This role is equally divided between the two services, with 18.75 hours per week dedicated to each.

About the FIND Community Team

The Oxleas FIND Team plays a pivotal role in supporting individuals transitioning from inpatient forensic settings back into the community. The team delivers specialist assessment, treatment, and consultation to support the safe and clinically appropriate reintegration of individuals with complex needs. The primary aim is to ensure a well‑coordinated, person‑centred pathway from secure care to community living.

About the Bracton Centre Inpatient Forensic Service

Located in Kent, the Bracton Centre offers a comprehensive range of specialist forensic mental health services for adults aged 18‑65. The service provides high‑quality, multidisciplinary care to individuals with significant mental health needs within a secure environment.

This dual‑service role offers a rich opportunity to contribute to both community‑based and inpatient forensic mental health services, while also being part of a forward‑thinking partnership driving innovation in mental health care across South London.

Part‑time hours can be considered.

Main duties of the job

In this role, the postholder will provide specialist assessment, intervention and consultation for individuals with intellectual and/or neurodevelopmental disabilities who are involved in the criminal justice system or present with forensic risk. These individuals may present with complex communication needs, co‑occurring mental health difficulties and challenging behaviours that require tailored and collaborative therapeutic input.

The community arm of the role involves working proactively with multi‑disciplinary colleagues to support service users in the least restrictive environments possible, with a focus on risk reduction, communication accessibility and support for meaningful engagement in community life. The inpatient component involves supporting individuals through rehabilitation and recovery pathways, contributing to risk assessments, care planning and discharge preparations.

About us

Oxleas offers a wide range of NHS health‑care services to people in community and secure environment settings. Our services include community health care such as district nursing and speech and language therapy, care for people with learning disabilities and mental health care such as psychiatry, nursing and therapies. Our multi‑disciplinary teams look after people of all ages and we work in close partnership with other parts of the NHS, local councils and the voluntary sector. We have 4,300 staff members working in many different settings including hospitals, clinics, prisons, secure hospitals, children's centres, schools and people's homes. We have over 125 sites in a variety of locations in the South of England, and in London we operate within the Boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich and into Kent. Our largest NHS provider of prison health services supplies care to prisons across Devon, Dorset, Bristol, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Kent and South London.

Our purpose is to improve lives by providing the best possible care to our patients and their families. This is strengthened by our new values:

• We're Kind
• We're Fair
• We Listen
• We Care

Job Details

• Date posted: 25 November 2025
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 7
• Salary: £53,751 to £60,651 a year inclusive of bonuses
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full‑time (part‑time considered)
• Reference number: 277‑7625967‑FOR
• Job locations:
  • Memorial
  • Shooters Hill
  • Woolwich
  • SE18 3RG

Job Responsibilities

• Provide highly specialist Speech and Language Therapy assessment and intervention to service users with complex communication and/or swallowing needs, including adults with learning disabilities, autism and/or mental health conditions. Include assessment, diagnosis and management of dysphagia, ensuring timely intervention, liaison with medical teams and training for staff and carers where needed.
• Independently manage own caseload, working closely with care coordinators and social supervisors, and obtain regular clinical and managerial supervision.
• Provide leadership and line‑manage and/or clinically supervise junior Speech and Language Therapy colleagues, students and other relevant staff.
• Act as a core member of a multi‑disciplinary team and represent the Speech and Language Therapy service at team, directorate and working group meetings.
• Supply specialist advice and support to families, other speech and language therapists and multi‑disciplinary professionals, both within and outside the Trust, ensuring active involvement of carers and family members in care planning and delivery.
• Provide compassionate, non‑judgemental care rooted in empathy, kindness, respect and dignity.
• Act in accordance with professional standards set by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy and the Health Professionals Council.
• Maintain knowledge of current best practice and clinical effectiveness within the Specialist Speech and Language Therapy Learning Disability/ASD field.
• Plan, organise and manage own workload with guidance.
• Maintain the online RCSLT CPD log.
• Induct, train, review work performance and clinically supervise/appraise colleagues and specialist support workers.
• Contribute to the development of Speech and Language Therapy Service policies and procedures, including participation in projects and quality improvement initiatives.
• Plan and deliver training courses where appropriate.
• Communicate regularly through team meetings, business meetings, clinical forums and individually with team members, providing an opportunity for two‑way feedback.
• Ensure that service user and carer opinions and experiences are responded to at a team level.
• Maintain clinical records of a consistent high standard, meeting trust policy and practice guidance.
• Deliver evidence‑based practice regarding specialist speech and language therapy assessment and intervention.
• Carry out and interpret specialist assessments of eating and drinking (dysphagia) within inpatient secure wards.
• Monitor specialised packages of care including direct therapy, advice and training.
• Contribute to specialist multi‑disciplinary assessment and care package, including consultation, giving advice and joint care planning such as Positive Behaviour support.
• Contribute to medical diagnosis including differential diagnosis.
• Carry out capacity to consent assessments in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act.
• Participate in CPA/CTR professional and network meetings.
• Monitor clinical effectiveness and clinical outcome measures.
• Follow health and safety guidelines regarding unpleasant working conditions.
• Plan, coordinate and carry out regular audits of Speech and Language Therapy Service work to contribute to knowledge of clinical effectiveness and outcomes.
• Develop and promote evidence‑based practice.
• Demonstrate well‑developed communication and presentation skills at all times.
• Provide letters and reports in accordance with local standards.
• Use basic word processing skills and specialist software packages to develop communication aids and accessible information.
• This is not an exhaustive list of duties; the postholder may be required to undertake other duties within the grade in discussion with the manager.
• The postholder is expected to comply with all relevant Trust policies, procedures and guidelines, including those relating to equal opportunities, health and safety and confidentiality of information.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Registration (Essential)

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification
• Health Professions Council – Licence to Practice
• Registered Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy

Desirable

• Completion of Post‑Basic Dysphagia Competencies (Level C and above)

Experience (Essential)

• Minimum of 4 years post‑graduate experience, 2 of which are within the area of specialism.
• Experience in forensics.
• Experience of multi‑disciplinary and inter‑agency working.
• Experience in contributing to policy, planning and service development.
• Experience of providing a range of therapeutic interventions necessary for the client group.

Desirable Experience

• Evidence of management skills obtained through experience.
• Experience in ASD/LD.
• Experience of dysphagia.

Skills and Knowledge (Essential)

• In‑depth knowledge of specialist clinical area.
• Understanding of the roles of other professionals and the principles of partnership working with key stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal skills – including observation, listening and empathy skills.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service 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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Employer details

Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust

Memorial

Shooters Hill

Woolwich

SE18 3RG