Senior Speech and Language Therapist

NHS; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional health care provider in the Tees Valley is seeking a Senior Speech and Language Therapist for a 12-month maternity cover. The role focuses on assessing children and young people for ASD and language concerns within a multidisciplinary team. Applicants should have relevant qualifications and at least one year of post-qualifying experience. An understanding of service users with mental health conditions is essential. This role offers a collaborative environment aimed at providing compassionate care.

Qualifications

• Minimum 12 months post-qualifying experience in Speech and Language Therapy delivery.
• Experience of supporting people with mental health issues, learning disability or autism.
• Awareness of professional standards and their application to practice.

Responsibilities

• Assess children and young people to identify language concerns and ASD traits.
• Work within the MDT to assist with diagnostic outcomes for ASD assessments.

Skills

Understanding of the needs of service users with mental health conditions or learning disabilities

Experience of managing complex Speech and Language Therapy cases

Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team

Education

Appropriate professional qualification in Speech and Language Therapy

Current relevant registration with the regulatory body

Postgraduate training in a relevant specialist area

Job description

Overview

Senior Speech and Language Therapist – Band 6, maternity cover (12 months).

Closing date: 30 September 2025.

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust is looking to recruit a Band 6 Speech and Language Therapist for maternity cover (12 months) to work within the Neurodevelopment Assessment Team for Teesside.

The Neurodevelopment Assessment Team for Teesside assesses children and young people aged 5–18 years for ASD. The team covers Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool and Redcar. The post holder will be based at The Glades, Acklam Road Hospital, Middlesbrough, TS5 4EE and will work within a wider MDT including psychiatry, nursing, support workers, admin staff and psychologists.

The role involves contributing to diagnostic outcomes for children and young people being assessed for ASD and identifying language concerns as part of the MDT process.

Main duties

• Assess children and young people to identify language concerns and ASD traits.
• Work within the MDT to assist with diagnostic outcomes for ASD assessments.
• Maintain up-to-date mandatory training and professional development.

About us

We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby. We work in partnership with patients, communities and partners to provide safe, compassionate care and support the recovery journey.

We are committed to new thinking that improves wellbeing and connect with communities to get mental health care right in areas that need it most. We strive to ensure everyone in our region can access the care they need to lead their best possible life.

Job responsibilities

The successful candidate will hold the relevant qualifications. Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for detailed criteria before applying. You will be expected to work Monday–Friday with a period of induction and training. If you have questions or would like to discuss the role, please get in touch. Applicants must have agreement from their current line manager to be released on a secondment basis.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Appropriate professional qualification in Speech and Language Therapy
• Current relevant registration with the regulatory body
• Postgraduate training in a relevant specialist area

Knowledge

• Understanding of the needs of service users with mental health conditions or learning disabilities
• Clinical risk assessment and application in practice
• Knowledge of evidence-based practice in the designated specialist area
• Postgraduate training in a specialist area if applicable (e.g., dysphagia, autism diagnostics)
• Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team
• Experience of managing complex Speech and Language Therapy cases
• Awareness of professional standards and their application to practice

Experience

• Minimum 12 months post-qualifying experience in Speech and Language Therapy delivery
• Experience of supporting people with mental health issues, learning disability or autism
• Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team (essential criteria for SW)

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure to the DBS to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust