Locality Lead Speech and Language Therapist

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Manchester is seeking a Locality Lead Speech and Language Therapist to join a multidisciplinary team. The role requires providing specialist speech and language therapy services to adults with significant learning disabilities, assessing communication needs, and developing therapy provisions. Candidates should have relevant qualifications, substantial experience in the field, and a commitment to diverse communities. This position offers a competitive salary and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in healthcare.

Qualifications

• RCSLT accredited degree or equivalent Certificate to Practice as a speech and language therapist.
• Health and Care Professions Council registration.
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD).

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist speech and language therapy service to adults with learning disabilities.
• Assess, diagnose, and manage clients' communication and dysphagia needs.
• Develop Speech and Language Therapy provision within the service.

Skills

Speech and language therapy

Collaboration

Autonomy

Cultural sensitivity

Leadership

Education

RCSLT accredited degree

Health and Care Professions Council registration

Membership of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

Postgraduate study at master's level

Job description

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Locality Lead Speech and Language Therapist

The closing date is 16 February 2026

The post is an integral part of the North Community Learning Disability Team but also has citywide responsibilities shared with the other Speech and Language Locality.

The post is part of a multidisciplinary health Community Learning Disability Team (CLDT) integrated with Adult Social care providing high quality specialist speech and language therapy service to adults with significant learning disabilities.

Main duties of the job

To work as part of a multidisciplinary health and social care Community Learning Disability Team (CLDT) to provide a high quality specialist speech and language therapy service to adults with significant learning disabilities to carry a caseload as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.

To act as an autonomous practitioner with specialist knowledge, skills and experience, to assess, diagnose and manage clients' communication and dysphagia needs within your specialist team.

To work as part of a city wide speech and language therapy service to benefit clients.

To provide highly specialist advice, education and training to increase the capacity and capability of others to work with people with a learning disability.

Work will be undertaken in a variety of settings depending on the needs of the clients and carers. The client base will be socially, culturally and linguistically diverse.

To develop Speech and Language Therapy provision within the service with support from Professional Lead Speech and Language Therapist.

To undertake supervision and leadership of junior staff and students as required.

To offer clinical support to other SLTs in more than one of the sub specialisms within the field of ALD.

To act as the speech and language therapy lead for the locality.

To deputise for the Professional Lead Speech and Language Therapist and Health Manager as necessary.

About us

Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward-thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement.

Whether you're beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working - empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.

You'll be part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives.

At MFT, you'll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions.

Your journey at MFT is more than a job - it's an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We'll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.

Job responsibilities

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading. So that youre even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, youll need to take time to read the Candidate Essentials Guide that sits with the Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how we care for you as you care for others. Most importantly, it also contains critical information youll need to be aware of before you submit an application form.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application

Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOUfor our patients, our communities, and each other.

As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application especially personal statements and responses to role-specific questions is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.

Diversity Matters

MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• RCSLT accredited degree or equivalent Certificate to Practice as a speech and language therapist (SLT)
• Health and Care Professions Council registration.
• Membership of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) e.g. completion of specialist short courses
• Basic postgraduate dysphagia course or equivalent.
• Membership of a relevant Clinical Excellence Network
• Evidence of postgraduate study at master's level or equivalent.
• Current driver's licence

Experience

• Significant experience working as a speech and language therapist with adults/children with learning disabilities at both bands 5 & 6.
• Significant experience of working within relevant specialist area(s) e.g. dysphagia, adult safeguarding, complex medical and end of life care, behaviours that challenge, alternative and augmentative communication, mental health, forensic contexts
• Experience of working collaboratively and successfully within multidisciplinary team/multi agency environment including with social care
• Experience of working collaboratively with relatives and paid carers
• Involvement in the development and delivery of training packages to a variety of audiences
• Experience of leading projects with colleagues in speech &language therapy and related disciplines.
• Experience of providing and coordinating placements for SLT students.
• Experience of supervising qualified SLTs
• Experience of working in an ethnically diverse environment.
• Experience of working within an inner city environment
• Involvement in audit and research

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.

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum, pro rata