Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

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

Job summary

An exciting opportunity exists for a full-time Specialist Speech and Language Therapist at the CNTW NHS Foundation Trust in Carlisle. The successful candidate will join a dedicated team working with adults experiencing mental health challenges and learning disabilities. This role offers a supportive team environment focused on delivering high-quality care.

Benefits

Comprehensive induction and ongoing supervision

Dynamic working environment

Support for further training

Qualifications

• Qualified Speech and Language Therapist with HCPC registration.
• Experience in mental health and learning disabilities in adults.
• Desirable: dysphagia qualification or commitment to attain.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist assessment and intervention for communication and dysphagia.
• Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to develop care plans.
• Support adults in inpatient settings requiring specialist therapy.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Leadership skills

Risk assessment

Time management

Education

Registration with HCPC

Evidence of completion of a course relevant to the area of specialism

Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

Job description

Go back Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

The closing date is 03 July 2025

Are you a qualified, experienced and compassionate Speech and Language Therapist looking for a new challenge and a rewarding career working in Mental Health and Learning Disabilities in the North West of England?

An opportunity has arisen for a full time Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join the Speech and Language Therapy service in Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust.

The role is based at the Carleton Clinic, Carlisle supporting the inpatient services located here. The inpatient services you will work into include working age adult acute, older adult functional, dementia and learning disabilities.

We are looking for a dedicated, enthusiastic individual with transferable skills to work in mental health, learning disability and autism; or experience working in inpatient settings. The successful candidate must be able to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and have the skills and knowledge to provide high quality speech and language input into these teams.

If you are passionate about neurodiversity affirming practice, trauma informed speech and language therapy and inclusion in recovery then this post might be for you!

Main duties of the job

These services provide assessment, intervention and an MDT approach to support adults who are experiencing mental illness and require specialist speech and language therapy input for communication and/or dysphagia needs.

The successful candidate will have a particular interest and enthusiasm to work in this area. You should have qualifications and experience relevant in this clinical field and work well as part of a close team and be able to work independently.

You will liaise closely with fellow professionals to support communication needs and differences, as well as eating/drinking difficulties as part of a holistic, service user centred service and will contribute to, write and review care plans and provide high quality service user centred care.

You will have a varied caseload with opportunities to contribute to a range of wider projects within a variety of wards within inpatient settings.

You will possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills and be able to contribute to the existing multi-disciplinary team.

A qualification in dysphagia is desirable, but not essential as support will be given for dysphagia training as required.

About us

The Speech and Language Therapy Service in Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust is continuing to develop and grow to meet the needs of our patients and local communities. We are looking for dedicated and passionate individuals with different levels of qualifications and clinical knowledge and experience to join our team.

We will provide you with a comprehensive induction period and you will have access to ongoing clinical supervision and appraisal with development reviews that will provide you with support and the specialist skills required to meet the holistic needs of the patients in your care. The post holder will be expected to actively engage in the Trusts supervision and continuing professional development process.

We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.

Job responsibilities

Please see the separate job description, person specification and in particular the service and role descriptor for more information.

You will be required to travel to other sites across the Trust as part of the role.

This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of our growing Speech and Language Therapy team within Cumbria Inpatients.

We would be happy to consider this role as a band 5 band 6 developmental post to support applicants that may require additional time and support to reach band 6 competencies.

Advertising date : 19th June 2025

Closing date : 3rd July 2025

We welcome your application.

Person Specification

Education and Qualification

• Registration with HCPC
• Evidence of completion of a short course relevant to the area of specialism
• A dysphagia qualification or commitment to attain this qualification and practice in this clinical area
• Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Log of supervised hours/completion of dysphagia competencies

Knowledge and Experience

• Experience of delivering appropriate specialist assessments and evidence based interventions to service users with communication and/or swallowing disorders
• Specialist communication skills, considering a variety of strategies to support adults with complex communication/cognitive needs
• Experience of developing therapeutic partnerships with service users and carers
• Experience of communicating interventions to service users and Experience of working with service users with complex needs and their carers in successful delivery of treatment plans
• Working knowledge of statutory issues which impact on service users eg safeguarding
• Experience of working within a mult-disciplinary environment
• Experience of supervising others eg assistant practitioners, students
• Experience of contributing to audit and/or service evaluation
• Knowledge and an understanding of the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act
• Experience of working at post graduate level as a Speech and Language Therapist with adults who have a learning disability, complex and challenging behaviours and/or mental health needs
• Knowledge of assessment and management of challenging behaviours
• Experience of delivering training relevant to SALT

Skills and Competencies

• Proven ability to carry out and provide comprehensive written assessments of individuals with complex mental health needs
• Risk assessment, risk/safety management planning skills
• Demonstrate an understanding of effective and appropriate treatment options including a range of evidence based clinical approaches as identified in the NICE guidance
• Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills. Excellent interpersonal skills and good conflict resolution skills
• Evidence of a high level of professional, organisational and leadership skills (self and others)
• Ability to adapt within a changing environment and work under pressure
• Ability to use electronic recording and relevant IT equipment
• Ability to work effectively with other professionals using a multi-agency approach. Ability to work autonomously and within a team
• Excellent time and case management skills
• Proven track record of acting as an effective advocate for service users and their carers
• Clinical leadership skills
• Teaching and presentation skills

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.

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust