Specialist Community Learning Disability Speech & Language Therapist

NHS; Hebden Bridge; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialist NHS Foundation Trust is looking for a passionate Specialist Community Learning Disability Speech & Language Therapist in Hebden Bridge. You will join a multi-disciplinary team, providing assessment and treatment for service users with learning disabilities. The role offers flexibility and the opportunity to work with a committed team to make a positive impact on the local community. The annual salary ranges from £31,049 to £46,580, depending on experience. Apply now to join a dedicated organization committed to improving lives.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable knowledge of communication disorders.
• Experience of working with individuals with learning disabilities.
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Provide SLT assessment and treatment for service users.
• Manage a caseload independently with regular supervision.
• Promote speech and language therapy in the community.

Skills

Communication disorders

Clinical assessment

Team collaboration

Flexible clinical skills

Education

Degree in speech and language pathology or therapy

Royal College of Speech and Language Therapist Certificate to Practice

Registration with HCPC

Job description

Specialist Community Learning Disability Speech & Language Therapist

The closing date is 16 February 2026

Are you passionate about supporting people with learning disabilities and committed to improving their quality of life?

Would you be interested to be part of a thriving multi-disciplinary health team in the beautiful town of Hebden Bridge?

An exciting opportunity for a B5/6 Development post, or an experienced B6, has arisen for a Community Speech and Language Therapist (S&LT) to join our friendly Calderdale Adult Community Learning Disabilities Health Service.

You will join an experienced, well-established and committed specialist multi-disciplinary team who work agilely across Calderdale. The Team includes dietetics, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, LD community nurses, psychiatry, psychology, an Intensive Support Team and therapy assistants and healthcare support workers. Our Allied Health Professionals collective within the wider team foster both autonomous and joint working approaches, and their creative solutions to health and wellbeing issues aim to result in the best outcomes for the local community.

For further information or to arrange a visit to the team please contact Sarah Allard (Team Manager) 07717 157957 ([e-mail]).

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to have their up-to-date flu vaccination to protect staff and patients.

Main duties of the job

You will be responsible for a defined caseload with service users of all levels of ability.

You will serve as an effective member of the MDT promoting a consistent multi-agency approach including support, supervision and development of staff. This can include in-reach support to our Intensive Support Team.

You will work flexibly based on service user need, using reasonable adjustments to provide support.

You will demonstrate an ability to work autonomously and as part of a wider team.

You will have an understanding of the complex needs of people with learning disabilities and demonstrate qualities to deliver safe, effective and personalised care ensuring processes are followed in accordance with Trust objectives.

You will be committed to teamworking, be highly resilient and self-motivating, determined to add value to the organisation and committed to our vision and values.

Due to the nature of the role, it is essential that applicants are able to travel independently across the locality and have access to a suitable vehicle for business purposes.

At the time of advertising, this role does not meet the minimum requirements (salary threshold or occupational requirements) set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. For this reason, unfortunately we are unable to sponsor anyone on a visa for this role at this moment in time.

About us

We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.

We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Being a foundation Trust means we’re accountable to our members, who can have a say in how we’re run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust.

Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

We do reserve the right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Job responsibilities

Band 5

JOB SUMMARY

The post holder will be required to work as an integral part of the multi-disciplinary team, providing SLT assessment and treatment for service users in receipt of care from community services. Enabling service users to engage in a range of community based treatment activities. You will be actively involved in the promotion of SLT within the service area. The post holder will be required to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service and the client group.

KEY RESULTS AREAS:

Clinical

To provide clinical advice on the assessment, diagnosis and management of speech, language and communication difficulties and where applicable, swallowing difficulties, with a range of clients, including those with complex needs and to develop a clinical interest within the context of the caseload.

To manage a caseload independently with regular supervision and to prepare, implement and evaluate communication programmes and advice for clients to ensure the delivery of designated standards of care consistent with service policy and RCSLT guidelines.

To demonstrate sound clinical judgment, including negotiation, differential diagnosis, reflection, evaluation and the development of care plans. Clinical practice should be framed with reference to evidence based practice, having access to a supervisor, showing a recognition of own professional boundaries and the need for supervision, support and advice.

To monitor, evaluate and modify treatment in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.

To adopt a client centred and sensitive approach to therapy, collaborating with clients (and / or carer(s) where appropriate) in all aspects of the therapy process.

To work proactively alongside other staff and clients in meeting their needs and to assist each individual to integrate with the local community as fully as possible, using practical and creative problem solving approaches to gain the active participation of services users.

To provide SLT reports on assessment and treatment by written and verbal reports to Consultants, GPs and other agencies involved, and to ensure that all correspondence relating to caseload is dealt with promptly.

To provide SLT perspective in multi-disciplinary team meetings, ward rounds, clinics and case conferences as required.

To ensure that up to date records and activity data are maintained in accordance with professional and Trust standards and policies.

Management and Leadership

To manage your own caseload and day to day activities.

To assist in the co-ordination of day to day activities of unqualified staff in the service area.

To work effectively as a team member, operating flexibly to meet the needs of the service and collaborating with other team members.

Ensure the Team Manager is kept informed of all aspects of the work, especially the development needs of the service.

Communication

To contribute and receive information as part of a multi-disciplinary/multi-agency team to provide a co-ordinated and effective service to clients and carers.

To communicate accurate and sensitive information to clients and carers using an appropriate and accessible medium, taking into consideration relevant factors such as background, culture, gender, age and any physical, sensory or learning difficulties, adopting an empathic approach at all times.

To provide advice and information regarding occupational therapy and communicate clinical skills and knowledge to others.

To promote an understanding of the role of occupational therapy within the specialist area, negotiating priorities as appropriate.

Band 6

JOB SUMMARY

The post holder will be required to work as an integral member of the multi-disciplinary team, providing specialist speech and language therapy assessment and treatment for service users in receipt of care from community services. Enabling service users to engage in a range of individual and group community based treatment activities. You will be actively involved in the promotion of Speech and Language therapy within the service area. The post holder will be required to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service and the client group.

The post holder will contribute to the leadership and development of the Specialist Learning Disability Health Team in accordance with local and national guidance.

KEY RESULT AREAS:

1. Clinical

1.1 To undertake specific standardised and non-standardised assessments to formulate effective treatment plans in conjunction with the service user, family and carer.

1.2 Formulate and deliver individual treatment programmes based on specialist knowledge for differential diagnosis for communication and dysphagia, (evidence based practice, national and local guidelines using profession specific clinical skills and techniques. (eg standardised assessments, AAC, group and individual work)

1.3 To interpret the assessment results in order to plan and implement a client centred speech and language therapy treatment programme on an individual and/or group basis to achieve therapeutic goals.

1.4 To ensure therapeutic interventions are of a high professional standard, informed by evidence based practice and involve the service user and carer in all aspects of the care programme.

1.4 To demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the effect of disability providing training and advice on lifestyle changes/adaptations to the clients social and physical environments.

1.5 To act as the care programme co-ordinator as required and to offer carers an assessment and care plan where appropriate.

1.6 To contribute to a coordinated team approach throughout the assessment and in meeting the service users needs including developing and maintaining close working relationships with all relevant services, and agencies within the voluntary sector.

1.7 To regularly evaluate the effectiveness of group and individual speech and language therapy interventions by undertaking specific audits and using outcome measures such as standardised / other relevant assessments and service user satisfaction questionnaires.

1.8 To continue treatment interventions where necessary to assist in the transition of skills from an inpatient setting to living independently within the community.

1.9 To work effectively within the multi-agency team ensuring that both written and verbal communication is clearly maintained to ensure a seamless service.

1.10 To be responsible for the maintenance of appropriate clinical records concerned with service user treatment, in accordance with risk management documentation guidelines.

1.11 To arrange/attend appropriate clinical team meetings, referral meetings, case conferences, care programme approach meetings and any other as required by clinical need and as directed by the Lead AHP.

1.12 To provide accurate and timely reports, statistical data through the electronic recording system and other information as required.

1.13 To participate in monthly clinical and managerial supervision and to provide clinical supervision to other speech and language staff.

1.14 To work as an autonomous practitioner.

For full job description, please see attached supporting documents.

We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. Over reliance on AI-generated content in application forms is strongly discouraged and we will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.

Person Specification

Special Knowledge & Skills

• Band 5
• A demonstrable range of core professional skills, including familiarity with a range of clinical protocols.
• Demonstrable knowledge of communication disorders presenting in a range of clients with communication difficulties in order to provide assessment, diagnosis and intervention.
• Flexible clinical skills which take account of the needs of the individual client.
• Demonstrable knowledge of issues related to the delivery of training to a range of recipients.
• Insight into issues of confidentiality in the context of health care.
• Insight into the requirement for excellence in clinical record keeping.
• An awareness of the functions of related professions, agencies and legislation relating to services to clients.
• Band 6
• Specialist knowledge and application of Speech & Language Therapy assessments and interventions relevant to learning disability.
• Extensive clinical practice skills including individual and group work.
• Understanding of and ability to use appropriate outcome measures.
• Ability to work autonomously and set own priorities.
• Ability to analyse professional and ethical issues.
• Supervisory / appraisal skills.
• Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance.
• Ability to organise and respond efficiently to complex information.
• Ability to build effective working relationships.
• Detailed knowledge of clinical governance and its application.
• Band 5
• Knowledge and understanding of cultural and diversity issues.
• An awareness of screening procedure for swallowing difficulties.
• Band 6
• Knowledge and understanding of cultural and diversity issues.
• An understanding of the specific contribution of Speech and Language Therapists in Learning Disability Services.

Experience

• Band 5
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge of working with people with Learning Disabilities.
• Band 6
• Post registration experience including in learning disabilities.
• Documented evidence of continuing professional development.
• Supervision of staff and / or students.
• Band 5
• Experience of working with people with a learning disability in a clinical setting.
• Previous experience as a speech and language therapist working in the NHS.
• Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Band 6
• Experience of a range of learning disability settings.

Physical Attributes

• Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post.
• A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).

Personal Attributes

• Band 5
• Ability to implement all of the 6C values & behaviours expected of health care professionals.
• Values contribution of others.
• Ability to motivate self and others.
• Organisational skills.
• Effective communication skills, verbal and written.
• Willingness to work flexibly.
• A Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability).
• Band 6
• Ability to implement all of the 6C values & behaviours expected of health care professionals.
• Values contribution of others.
• Ability to motivate self and others.
• Organisational skills.
• Effective communication skills, verbal and written.
• Willingness to work flexibly.
• A Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability).
• Hold a full driving licence.

Training

• Band 5
• To be willing to undertake post graduate training to further skills, knowledge and expertise.
• Band 6
• Post graduate Dysphagia training or ability to successfully complete the training within 2 years.
• Evidence of ongoing training and relevant post graduate courses in communication and dysphagia.
• Band 5
• Evidence of post qualification training.
• Band 6
• Post graduate training relevant to Learning Disability.

Qualifications

• Degree in speech and language pathology or therapy or equivalent.
• Royal College of Speech and Language Therapist Certificate to Practice.
• Registration with Health Care Professions Council (HCPC).

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.

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

£31,049 to £46,580 a year Pro Rata - Band 5-6 dependant on experience