Senior Speech and Language Therapist - £3,000 Joining Bonus.

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust; Barnard Castle; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional NHS Trust is seeking a Senior Speech and Language Therapist to work within HMP Deerbolt's Mental Health Team in Barnard Castle. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Speech and Language Therapy and substantial experience, particularly in mental health settings. Key responsibilities include providing assessments and interventions for individuals with speech, language, and communication needs. This position includes a £3,000 joining bonus, supported by a friendly team in a critical environment.

Benefits

£3,000 Joining Bonus

Supportive working environment

CPD opportunities

Qualifications

• Must have at least 12 months of post-qualifying experience in Speech and Language Therapy.
• Experience in supporting mental health issues or learning disabilities is essential.
• International recruits must have IELTS level 7 (SLT=8).

Responsibilities

• Conduct assessments for individuals with communication and swallowing needs.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide integrated services.
• Provide relevant therapy input and advice as needed.

Skills

Experience with Speech and Language Therapy

Understanding of mental health conditions

Knowledge of dysphagia

Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team

Education

Professional qualification in Speech and Language Therapy

Current registration with regulatory body

Postgraduate training in relevant specialist area

Job description

Senior Speech and Language Therapist - £3,000 Joining Bonus.

The closing date is 06 January 2026.

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 Deerbolt Mental Health Team, a Category C men’s prison, located in the town of Barnard Castle.

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.

One of the requirements of this post is that the successful candidate must pass Prison Vetting, part of which requires that the candidate has resided in the UK for at least the past 3 years

Main duties of the job

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

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.

A £3,000 Trust welcome bonus will be applied to this post and is paid, as follows;

• £1,500 upon joining the Trust
• £750 after year 1
• £750 after year 2

Applications are welcome from those registered with the Trusts Temporary Staffing Service (Bank) or that undertake work for the Trust via an external agency. However, please be aware that this incentive is only applicable to individuals on one occasion only. Therefore, you will not be eligible if you have received it previously.

01833633253

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Appropriate professional qualification in Speech and Language Therapy
• 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
• Post graduate training in specialist area if applicable to post (e.g. dysphagia, autism diagnostics)

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 (SW essential criteria)
• Clincial risk assessment and application in practice
• Experience of managing complex Speech and Language Therapy cases

Knowledge

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

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