Senior Speech and Language Therapist

NHS; Morpeth; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health service provider is seeking a Senior Speech and Language Therapist in Morpeth to join the Health and Justice Services team. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Speech and Language Therapy with 12 months' post-qualification experience, working mainly with mental health and learning disabilities in a prison environment. The role involves assessment, intervention, and collaboration within a multidisciplinary team to improve the communication skills of individuals in need.

Qualifications

• Minimum 12 months post qualifying experience of Speech and Language Therapy delivery.
• Experience of supporting people with mental health issues, learning disability or autism.
• Experience in working within a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Provide assessment and intervention for individuals with speech, language and communication needs.
• Work as part of the prison mental health team.
• Raise awareness and improve staff knowledge regarding communication needs.

Skills

Speech and Language Therapy

Mental Health Support

Intervention Techniques

Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration

Education

Degree in Speech and Language Therapy

Current relevant registration with a regulatory body

Post graduate training in relevant specialist area

Job description

Senior Speech and Language Therapist

The closing date is 17 November 2025

Fancy a new challenge and making a difference?

An exciting opportunity has arisen within Health and Justice Services for a Speech and Language Therapist to work within HMP Northumberland Mental Health Team, a Category C men’s prison.

The service provides assessment and treatment for people who are within the prison setting.

The post holder will be part of a dynamic SLT service in TEWV, with well‑defined peer support, supervision systems and CPD opportunities and be part of the growing and supportive Health and Justice SLT team.

The post holder will have a degree in Speech and Language Therapy and have significant experience in Speech and Language Therapy including experience working with service users in mental health or learning disabilities with complex needs.

The post will be subject to Prison vetting.

Main duties of the job

The SLT will be responsible for providing assessment and intervention with individuals with speech, language and communication needs/swallowing.

To work as integral part of the Prison Mental Health team.

You will be part of a friendly and supportive wider Health and Justice SLT team who work into a range of prisons.

To work with individuals and their supporters by providing communication advice and strategies in relevant format.

To raise awareness and improve the workforce's knowledge and skills in SLC needs.

To provide relevant and meaningful therapy input where appropriate.

Objectives:

• To provide an exemplary and comprehensive assessment of SLCN for all eligible referred individuals.
• To work as an integrated multi‑disciplinary team.
• To operate within a robust clinical operating framework.
• To provide high quality advice to key agencies and Prison teams including mental health, staff, Prisoner Officers, Alcohol and Drug Recovery agencies, Education and Employment services and Probation.

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

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.

Speech and Language Therapy Associate Consultant—Health & Justice

Person Specification

Experience

• Minimum 12 months post qualifying experience of Speech and Language Therapy delivery
• Experience of supporting people with mental health issues, learning disability or autism
• Experience of working in Multidisciplinary Team
• Experience of managing complex Speech and Language Therapy cases

Qualifications

• Appropriate professional qualification in Speech and Language Therapy role
• Current relevant registration with specific regulatory body
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) level 7 (SLT =8) for International recruits
• Post graduate training in relevant specialist area

Knowledge

• Understanding of the needs of service users with mental health conditions or learning disabilities.
• Knowledge of evidence based practice in designated specialist area
• Awareness of professional standards and its application to practice

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