Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust; Jarrow; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

A local NHS Trust is seeking a dedicated Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to support adults with Autism and Learning Disabilities. The successful candidate will provide specialist therapy, contribute to team development, and oversee junior staff. This role offers an opportunity to make a significant impact on service delivery while working within a compassionate multidisciplinary team. Ideal applicants will possess a relevant degree and experience in similar settings, demonstrating excellent communication skills and a commitment to patient well-being.

Benefits

Access to a Fitness Centre

Career progression opportunities

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Must have up-to-date knowledge and appropriate skills to deliver interventions.
• Experience of working with people with learning disabilities.
• Ability to work on own and as part of a team flexibly.

Responsibilities

• Provide a specialist SLT service to patients with communication needs.
• Contribute to the development of the team and supervise junior staff.
• Participate in service development and audit activities.

Skills

Knowledge of relevant communication and/or swallowing disorders

Excellent communication skills, verbal and written

Ability to reflect honestly on own practice

Ability to develop therapeutic partnerships

Positive attitude to working with autistic people

Education

Speech and Language Therapy degree/qualification

Current membership of HCPC

Member of RCSLT

Job description

Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

The closing date is 02 January 2026

We would like to recruit a Speech and Language Therapist who has enthusiasm, compassion and commitment to supporting and enabling people with Autism and/or Learning Disabilities to join our well established Community Autism and LearningDisability Service across South Tyneside.

We will work within the multi-disciplinary team and provide Speech and Language Therapy support to adults with Autism and/or Learning Disabilities. We will also work with all stakeholders to contribute to learning and development of staff working with adults with Autism and Learning Disabilities, ensuring effective service delivery and the best possible outcomes for our service users.

You must have up-to-date knowledge and appropriate skills to deliver Speech and Language Therapy interventions that meet the needs of patients.

You will have an understanding of the complex needs presented by those with Autism or learning disabilities and be able to demonstrate this with recent and ongoing clinical professional development. You must have excellent communication and organisation skills.

You will manage a caseload and supervise junior staff with a delegated caseload and support them in their development.

This post is subject to enhanced DBS disclosure.

You will be able to meet the travel requirements of this post.

Main duties of the job

This role is to provide a specialist Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) service to patients who require support to access mainstream services or who are unable to access mainstream services. This will include working with autistic people and patients with learning disabilities.

The post holder will contribute to the development of the team, supervise more junior clinicians, actively participate in clinical professional development, keep accurate records, participate in audit and research as directed and work closely with other professionals and partners to deliver high quality care and effective outcomes for patients.

About us

Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust – There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture/working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under‑represented groups. Looking after our workforce health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits—Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co‑ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.

Job responsibilities

PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.

To provide a specialist Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) service to patients who have a range of communication/dysphagia needs, including those who have complex and/or severe difficulties. Patients may have diverse presentations and a range of physical, cognitive, and/or mental health conditions. The work may take place in a range of settings (including day services, residential settings and the patient’s home). The role will involve assessment, diagnosis, prioritisation, triage, treatment and discharge of patients.

To work as a member of the Community Autism and LearningDisabilities Service (CALDS), contributing to multi-disciplinary working across organisations to address the needs of patients referred to the team.

To manage a delegated caseload working collaboratively with patients, carers and staff to meet the needs of patients.

To participate in service development and audit activities as directed by the appropriate lead.

To supervise the work of more junior SLTs, SLT Assistants/Technical Instructors and students.

To participate in research in specialist area as required.

To demonstrate Trust standards of behaviour and values to support our delivery of excellence in all that we do.

Person Specification

Skills and Knowledge

• Knowledge of relevant communication and/or swallowing disorders.
• Knowledge of appropriate assessments and evidence-based interventions for communication and/or swallowing disorders and ability to perform these.
• Ability to develop therapeutic partnership/rapport with patients/carers/families.
• Excellent communication skills, verbal and written.
• Working knowledge of safeguarding, the Mental Health Act and the Mental Capacity Act.
• Experience of involving patients/carers/families in goal setting.
• Experience of working in challenging and changing environments.
• Positive attitude to working with autistic people and adults with learning disabilities.
• Knowledge of national policies relating to autism and learning disabilities and ability to implement learning/guidance from these in own practice.
• Ability to prioritise own clinical/non-clinical time with good organisational skills.
• Ability to reflect honestly on own practice and implement learning from experiences.
• Ability to recognise scope of own job role and competence.
• Ability to seek advice as appropriate.
• Ability to use relevant IT systems.
• Ability to work under own initiative.
• Commitment to lifelong learning and continuing professional development.
• Professional manner.
• Willingness and commitment to work towards dysphagia qualification/competency if this has not already been achieved.
• Ability to work on own and as part of a team flexibly to meet service requirements.
• Experience of working with dysphagia.
• Experience delivering training packages to a range of professionals and caregivers.

Qualifications

• Speech and Language Therapy degree/qualification.
• Current membership of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
• Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).

Physical Requirements

• Able to meet travel requirements of the post.
• Current driving licence.
• Able to move and handle patients.
• Able to use computer systems.
• Able to concentrate/observe for long periods.
• Must be able to accurately record data.

Experience

• Experience of working with people with learning disabilities.
• Experience of working with autistic people.
• Experience of multi-agency working.
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team.
• Able to hold own caseload and work with a high degree of autonomy.
• Completed newly qualified practitioner competency framework.
• Experience working with adults.
• Preceptorship completed if applicable.
• Experience supervising junior staff.
• Experience working in community setting.

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.