Specialist Speech and Language Therapist Acute & HDRU

Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust; Doncaster; On-site; GBP 49,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust invites applications for an Advanced Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (Band 7) to join our mental health services. The role combines clinical expert input with leadership across the trust, initially split between the Phoenix High Dependency Rehab Unit and other acute/older people's wards.

You will work within a multidisciplinary team to deliver high‑quality SLT assessments, interventions and training, supported by peer networks

Qualifications

• HCPC registered SLT with undergraduate degree in SLT
• Evidence of CPD with post-graduate courses and reflective practice
• Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Training in quality improvement, service redesign or research methods
• Leadership / management training

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced specialist assessment and intervention for adults in mental health settings
• Act as the clinical lead for SLT within the MDT, influencing care planning, risk management and discharge
• Manage the most complex and high‑risk cases with high levels of professional autonomy
• Provide expert advice, supervision and leadership to SLT colleagues, students and the MDT
• Lead service development, quality improvement, audits and research within the Trust
• Develop communication‑enabling environments and parity of esteem for SLT

Skills

Advanced clinical leadership

Clinical supervision

Advanced clinical reasoning

MDT communication

Influence practice change

Education

HCPC Registered Speech and Language Therapist

Undergraduate qualification in Speech and Language Therapy

Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

Advanced specialist training in mental health SLT

Quality improvement / research methods training

Management / leadership courses

Reflective practice / CPD portfolio

Job description

Employer Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Tickhill Road Site Town Doncaster Salary £49,387 - £56,515 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 06/10/2026 23:59 Interview date 12/10/2026

Specialist Speech and Language Therapist Acute & HDRU

NHS AfC: Band 7

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Advanced Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (Band 7) to join our Mental Health services at Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust.

This is a rare and rewarding opportunity to work at the forefront of specialist mental health speech and language therapy, providing expert clinical input and leadership across the trust. This will initially be 2 days in Phoenix High Dependency Rehab Unit and 3 days in other acute / older peoples mental health wards across the trust. We will work with the post holder to develop a working pattern which means that all of our wards will benefit from speech and language therapy input.

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated clinician who is passionate about improving outcomes for people with severe and enduring mental health needs, and who is ready to shape practice, influence services and develop others at an advanced level. This will be one of the first roles in Speech and Language Therapy in mental health at RDaSH and we are invested in this being a success. You will be supported through peer networks, cross trust supervision and support from senior clinical leadership including the Chief Allied Health Professional in the trust.

Main duties of the job

As an Advanced Specialist / Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist, you will:

• Provide advanced specialist assessment, diagnosis and intervention for adults with highly complex communication and dysphagia needs within mental health settings.
• Act as the clinical lead for speech and language therapy within the MDT, influencing care planning, risk management, discharge and service delivery.
• Manage the most complex and high‑risk cases, using advanced clinical reasoning and high levels of professional autonomy.
• Provide expert advice, consultation, supervision and leadership to SLT colleagues, students, assistants and the wider multidisciplinary team.
• Lead and contribute to service development, quality improvement, audit and research, helping shape the future of mental health SLT within the Trust.
• Play a key role in developing communication‑enabling environments and promoting parity of esteem for speech and language therapy within mental health services.

Working for our organisation

Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) employ around 4000 talented colleagues who are very much appreciated, valued, and respected.

We have a wide portfolio which includes mental health, physical health, learning disability and drug and alcohol services.

We are passionate about enhancing the quality of our service and we work hard to attract and select the right colleagues for our organisation. Our goal is to employ those who share our passion for providing first class care while remaining committed to our vision and values. Please view our Strategy using the link below:

To find out more about working for RDaSH and the fantastic benefits we offer visit our website:

We are committed to inclusive cultures and really value people in our organisation, view our Allyship video on YouTube to find out more:

The main terms and conditions of service can be found here:

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please view the attached job description and person specification to view the full details about the role.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if there are a high amount of applications.

Person specification

Qualifications

• HCPC Registered Speech and Language Therapist
• Undergraduate qualification in Speech and Language Therapy
• Portfolio evidence of reflective practice, relevant experience, and CPD.
• Evidence of relevant post graduate courses
• Extensive portfolio evidence of reflective practice, advanced competencies, and continuous professional development
• Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
• Training in quality improvement, service redesign or research methods
• Management/leadership courses
• Evidence of advanced specialist training in mental health speech and language therapy, including complex communication needs, dysphagia, neurodevelopmental conditions and capacity / consent

Experience

• Substantial post-qualification experience as a speech and language therapist, including advanced specialist experience within mental health services
• Experience of independently managing a highly complex, high-risk clinical caseload involving diagnostic uncertainty, safeguarding, capacity, and ethical dilemmas
• Demonstrable experience of providing clinical leadership within an MDT, influencing care planning, risk management and discharge Formal experience of supervising qualified staff, assistants and/or students, including responsibility for developing others’ practice
• Lead or significant contributor to clinical audit, service evaluation, research or quality improvement initiatives
• Experience of delivering specialist training to SLT colleagues and wider MDT
• Experience of leading service development or redesign within mental health or specialist services
• Experience of appraisal, performance development review or workforce development
• Experience of representing SLT at Trust-wide or system-level forums
• Involvement in regional or national professional networks, projects or working groups

Knowledge

• Understanding and knowledge of clinical governance issues within own clinical practice and wider implications for delivery of patient services.

Skills

• Highly developed communication skills, able to convey complex, sensitive or contentious information in emotionally charged and challenging environment
• Ability to persuade, negotiate and influence practice change across professional boundaries
• Confidence in providing expert clinical advice, supervision and challenge, including managing disagreement and professional risk
• Ability to support patients, carers and staff in situations involving distress, trauma, aggression or highly emotive content
• Demonstrated leadership behaviours: resilience, accountability, professional authority and role modelling
• Strong commitment to equality, anti-oppressive practice and reducing health inequalities
• Ability to plan, prioritise and review complex clinical and service activity, balancing competing demands and risk
• Advanced analytical and clinical reasoning skills, including management of uncertainty and non-standard situations
• Ability to lead service activity, delegate effectively and support others in workload management
• Experience of contributing to or leading governance activity, audits or policy implementation
• Highly developed time management and decision-making skills
• Highly developed communication skills, able to convey complex, sensitive or contentious information in emotionally charged and challenging environments

**Eligibility for sponsorship - please read before submitting your application**

Please note, not all vacancies or applications are eligible for sponsorship.

*****Before applying, you can make a self-assessment of potential eligibility for sponsorship here: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

**Please note, there have been some changes made to Home Office guidance including changes to salary thresholds for sponsorship applications and eligibility for dependent visas from 9 April 2025 and from 22 July 2025**

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high number of applications.

Name Jon Rouston Job title Chief Allied Health Professional Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 03000 213000

Additional information

Katie Merrills, Service Manager [e-mail]