Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust; Cramlington; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Band 6 Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join the Community Treatment Teams in Northumberland. The post is based at West Farm House, Cramlington, and requires HCPC registration and experience in mental health, learning disability, or neurodevelopmental settings.

You will assess and treat adults with complex communication and swallowing needs, collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team, and travel to other

Qualifications

• Qualified Speech and Language Therapist registered with HCPC.
• Experience delivering specialist assessments and evidence-based interventions.
• Experience working in a multi-disciplinary setting.
• Experience supervising others (e.g., assistants, students).
• Knowledge of safeguarding, MHA and MCA.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist SALT assessments, interventions and recommendations.
• Work as an integral MDT member to develop SALT provision.
• Liaise with other professionals to address communication needs.
• Travel to other sites across the Trust as required.

Skills

SALt degree

HCPC registration

specialist assessments

communication skills

team collaboration

audit & evaluation

leadership

Education

Recognised SALT degree

Job description

Hello!

We are so delighted you are considering coming to work with us at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW).

We know the power of looking into an organisation, one you might want to work in, or one where you are going to get help, and being able to say, 'I've seen somewhere I can fit in and be myself.' We're on a journey to make the Trust an inclusive employer, representative of the community we serve and we want more of our community to consider applying for jobs with us.

Opportunities for you

Spanning east to west coasts from Northumberland to Cumbria and from the Scottish Borders down to Middlesbrough we've got exciting new opportunities available at every level and in every area.

We offer flexible working, helping work fit around family and caring responsibilities, or training and development needs and there's lots on offer in the way of benefits, such as, lease cars, childcare schemes, staff discounts, season tickets for travel and a cycle to work scheme. All this in a vibrant workplace supported by the following staff networks.

• Cultural diversity staff network
• Disabled staff network
• LGBT+ staff network

We also have a number of staff support groups which are open to any staff to attend. These Include:

• Armed Forces and Veterans Staff Network
• Mind, Health and Wellbeing Community
• Menopause toolkit and cafes and staff carer support group

We offer fantastic personal development opportunities through our Collective Leadership Programme and other Organisational Development initiatives. Whatever you are looking for, you will be joining a supportive, friendly team, offering varied and interesting roles, with opportunities for career progression.

We're always seeking to improve as an organisation. Do you want to be part of that?

Please note that it is a requirement of this Trust that all external applicants pay for their own DBS certification if a DBS check is required for the post. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first monthly pay

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a full time, permanent, Band 6 Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to work in the Community Treatment Teams within Northumberland.

We welcome applicants who have experience working with adults with mental health issues although this is not essential. It is essential that applicants are registered as a Speech and Language Therapist and have previous experience working within a mental health, learning disability or neurodevelopmental setting and/or team. We are interested in appointing a dedicated and committed individual who can demonstrate their ability to engage and work collaboratively with others/partner agencies and understand complex systems in order to support effective pathways.

CTT's provide care, treatment and assessment for adults with complex, moderate to severe needs over the whole of Northumberland.

The multi-disciplinary team comprises a highly skilled and experienced workforce of consultant psychiatrists, nurses, psychologists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, social workers, art therapists and support workers. The team are dedicated, compassionate and always put young people and their families at the centre of everything they do.

Main duties of the job

You will provide specialist SALT assessment, intervention and recommendations for adults accessing these services. You will work as an integral member of the CTT MDT and support the ongoing development of the SALT provision in the service.

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 address communication difficulties as part of a holistic, service user centred service and be confident in providing high quality, evidence-based assessments and interventions and possess excellent communication and organisational skills as well as have the ability to work independently.

The post will be based at West Farm House in Cramlington, Northumberland.

Working for our organisation

The Speech and Language Therapy Service in Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust continues to develop and grow to meet the needs of our patients and local communities.

You will join a small, dynamic team of Speech and Language Therapy colleagues in established, multi-disciplinary teams who are committed to providing the best quality service to our patients. We actively encourage professional development and provide opportunities for all in the Speech and Language Therapy team to contribute to the development of the service.

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.

Detailed job description and main 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.

Advertising date : 26th August 2026

Closing date : 9th September 2026

We welcome your application.

Person specification

Education and Qualification

Essential criteria

• Recognised SALT degree qualification
• Registration with HCPC
• Evidence of completion of a short course relevant to the area of specialism

Desirable criteria

• Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Log of supervised hours/completion of dysphagia competencies

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria

• 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 children with complex communication/cognitive needs
• Experience of developing therapeutic partnerships with service users and carers
• Working knowledge of statutory issues which impact on service users eg safeguarding, MHA, MCA
• 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
• Experience of working at post graduate level as a Speech and Language Therapist with children who have a learning disability, complex behaviours that challenge and/or mental health needs

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of assessment and management of behaviours that challenge
• Experience of delivering training relevant to SALT

Skills and Competencies

Essential criteria

• Proven ability to carry out and provide comprehensive written assessments of children 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 work effectively with other professionals using a multi-agency approach. Ability to work autonomously and within a team
• Excellent time and case management skills and the ability to use electronic recording and relevant IT equipment
• Proven track record of acting as an effective advocate for service users and their carers

Desirable criteria

• Clinical leadership skills

Please note, due to changes implemented by the Government to the UK immigration policy, individuals who require a Health and Care Visa or a Skilled Worker Visa may no longer be eligible for sponsorship where the UKVI salary threshold is not met or if the occupation is not included in the updated Immigration Salary List (ISL). Applicants must check their eligibility to be employed in any role they are interested in applying for, prior to completing an application for employment. Any applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be progressed.

Please ensure to check out all of the supporting documents linked to this advert, for useful information about working for us, information from our Chief Executive and much more.