Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

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

Job summary

A regional health service provider is seeking a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join a new inpatient unit focused on adults with learning disabilities in Preston. The successful candidate will assess and treat patients, working closely with a dedicated Multi-Disciplinary Team. Qualifications include a relevant degree and HCPC registration. This role offers the opportunity to make a positive impact while ensuring high-quality, person-centred care in a new clinical environment. Flexible working options are encouraged.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• HCPC registered and licensed to practice.
• Knowledge of current NHS policies impacting service delivery.
• Experience working with adults with learning disabilities.

Responsibilities

• Assess, treat, and evaluate speech and language interventions.
• Collaborate with Multi-Disciplinary Team for coordinated care.
• Manage a complex caseload independently.

Skills

Communication skills

Clinical assessment techniques

Teamwork

Problem-solving

Education

BA/ BSc/ MSc in Speech and Language Therapy

HCPC registration

Job description

Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 30 December 2025

Water Meadow View is a new mental health inpatient unit for adults who have learning disabilities, opening in Winter 2025 in Whittingham, Preston. We have an exciting opportunity for a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join & support the Multi-Disciplinary Team to deliver outstanding person centred care.

One of the Trust's aims is to deliver the best possible care to our patients & this new inpatient unit will do just that. Water Meadow View will offer clinical excellence, support & safety, with patient-centred care at its heart.

The post holder will be responsible for the assessment, treatment, planning, delivery & evaluation of evidence-based specialist speech and language intervention within the areas of:

• Water Meadow View-Inpatient service Adults with Learning Disabilities & a MH diagnosis

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the development of a new specialised service. Therapists from a range of clinical areas could bring unique skills & knowledge to this team, so we encourage applicants with a desire to challenge themselves to develop their career in this dynamic setting.

The post holder will communicate effectively & work collaboratively with the MDT in order to ensure the delivery of a co-ordinated multi-disciplinary & multi-agency service & to facilitate & maintain good working relationships.

The post holder will work closely with Highly Specialist SLT, Operational Leads & Professional Leads to provide efficient & effective SLT service.

Main duties of the job

You could make a positive impact on the lives of people with a learning disability by delivering person centred, compassionate care, in a purpose built, co-produced environment, with opportunities to for you to learn & develop.

Key responsibilities:

• Establish effective communication networks as appropriate in the wider multi-disciplinary team, social services, third & private sector agencies.
• Possess the professional skills & wide range of clinical knowledge to work as an autonomous practitioner. To undertake independent, direct consultation & provision of care including rationale for decision making & evaluation of outcomes. To exercise high levels of judgment & decision making in the care & treatment of service users.
• Manage a caseload including complex cases evidencing high level problem solving & reasoning skills & independence of judgement. Advise the Highly Specialist SLT of any identified risks.
• Assume responsibility & accountability for a caseload of service users with complex needs holding the duty of care & prioritising & managing the caseload independently based on the principles of risk & clinical risk, liaising with & referring to senior clinicians & relevant agencies as appropriate.
• Use specialist knowledge to inform & contribute to the development, review & implementation of the Network/LSCFT policies & procedures as required/appropriate.

About us

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of services including secondary mental health care across this area. Specialist provision comprises inpatient child and adolescent mental health services, perinatal mental health and forensic services including low and medium secure care.

The Trust also provides a range of physical health and well-being services in the community alongside a range of partners in the Lancashire, Cumbria and Sefton area.

Lancashire & South Cumbria Foundation Trust encourages flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as; term time, part time, compressed hours, flexi-time and career breaks. We encourage applicants to state clearly on their application forms this request and discuss these options at interview.

For more information please visit our website via Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS FT.

Job responsibilities

For more details on this vacancy please review the attached job description and person specification.

Video - Welcome to Water Meadow View

Person Specification

Qualifications

• BA/ BSc/ MSc in Speech and Language Therapy
• HCPC registered
• Licence to practice (RCSLT)
• Compliance with regulatory bodies and codes of professional conduct

Knowledge

• Knowledge of current key NHS developments and policies and implications for service delivery
• Knowledge of wide range of clinical assessments and intervention/treatment techniques for Adults with learning disabilities
• Working knowledge of the Mental capacity Act and implications for professional practice
• Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance, including record keeping and confidentiality

Experience

• Evidence of continuing development of professional clinical Knowledge, skills and experience
• Experience working as an independent and autonomous practitioner managing own caseload
• Experience of partnership working across a range of agencies and professional boundaries
• Experience of working with people with complex and multiple needs (e.g. dementia, dysphagia, mental health)
• Experience of working as part of a MDT

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.

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust