Lead Speech and Language Therapist

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 49,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust in the Tees Valley area is seeking a Lead Speech and Language Therapist (B7) to establish a new SLT team within inpatient Mental Health Services.

You will lead autonomous caseloads, supervise colleagues, and contribute to service development and innovation across Durham and Tees Valley.

The role requires HCPC registration, post‑registration Masters or Level 7 courses, and commitment to leadership within a MDT.

Qualifications

• Pre-registration qualification in speech and language therapy as recognised by HCPC
• Registration with HCPC.
• Evidence of post-registration Masters level learning
• Equivalent experience in relevant area e.g. level 7 courses, researcher role, quality improvement, leading service development, project management, strategic leadership, NICE involvement, service evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Lead autonomous caseload and supervise SLT colleagues.
• Support practice and learning of professionals within the MDT.
• Be part of the leadership team and drive service development in their specialty.

Skills

Leadership experience

Clinical leadership

Service development

Education

HCPC Registration

Post-registration Masters level learning

Level 7 courses

Job description

Go back Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

Lead Speech and Language Therapist

The closing date is 21 October 2026

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a B7 Lead SLT to join our inpatient Mental Health Services in DTVF, setting up a new SLT team of qualified and support staff. The team will work across the AMH inpatient provision in Durham and Tees Valley, being part of the multi-professional leadership team within this specialty. This will involve linking in with clinical networks, pathway and service development, having opportunity to develop practice and innovation in inpatient care.

The post holder will be part of a dynamic SLT Mental Health and Learning Disability service, with well-defined peer support, supervision systems and extensive CPD alongside opportunities to shape the SLT service as part of the clinical leadership team.

You must have the Right to Work in the UK in order to be successfully appointed to this role. Please note, this role does not meet the required eligibility criteria for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa and therefore the Trust is unable to offer sponsorship for this particular role.

Main duties of the job

The role of the Lead Speech & Language Therapist will be to assess and treat communication difficulties and problems with eating, drinking and swallowing (dysphagia) for our adult inpatients. As a Senior SLT the post holder will carry their own autonomous caseload, supervise and mentor SLT colleagues and support the practice and learning of professionals within the wider MDT. The post holder will also be part of the leadership team and be responsible for service development in their specialty.

The successful applicant will have significant experience of working with adults with autism, mental health difficulties, challenging behaviour and/or complex needs. Knowledge of relevant national policy and local directives is essential. Competence in the assessment and treatment of eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties is highly desirable. Most important is an enthusiasm for working with this client group and a passion to improve the lives of the people we support.

About us

We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.

From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care --our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.

We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.

We're committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.

We won't rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.

Job responsibilities

Applicants for the post will hold a suitable qualification in Speech and Language Therapy, have relevant experience in this clinical field and have a particular interest and enthusiasm for leadership, service delivery, collaborative working and championing SLT.

Person Specification

Qualifications/Experience

• Pre-registration qualification in speech and language therapy as recognised by HCPC)
• Registration with HCPC.
• Evidence of post-registration Masters level learning
• Or in the absence of masters level learning - Equivalent experience in relevant area. E.g. relevant level 7 courses, researcher role, quality improvement activity, leading service development, project management, strategic leadership, NICE involvement, service evaluation.
• Substantial clinical experience of complex speech and language therapy delivery in relevant specialist area in collaboration with service users, families and relevant others.
• Experience of working in Multidisciplinary Team (SW essential criteria)
• Complex clinical risk assessment and application in practice

Knowledge

• Significant experience of supporting people with mental health issues, learning disability or autism
• Significant understanding of the needs of service users with mental health conditions or learning disabilities or autism.
• Substantial knowledge of evidence- based practice in speech and language therapy

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.

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

£49,387 to £56,515 a yearpro rata, per annum