Specialist Speech and Language Therapist - Criminal Justice

NHS; Gloucester; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Gloucester is looking for a part-time Speech and Language Therapist to support vulnerable individuals within the Criminal Justice System. The role requires providing assessments, delivering training, and developing treatment programs for people with speech and language difficulties. Essential qualifications include relevant professional registration and experience in communication disorders.

Qualifications

• Professional qualification in Speech and Language Therapy at diploma, postgraduate, or degree level.
• HCPC registration and membership with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
• Extensive experience working with adults having communication disorders.

Responsibilities

• Conduct assessments and establish care pathways for individuals with vulnerabilities.
• Deliver training on speech and language communication to staff.
• Work autonomously managing a delegated caseload.

Skills

Experience with communication disorders

Ability to work autonomously

Knowledge of mental health services

Education

Professional qualification in Speech and Language Therapy

HCPC registration

Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

Tools

ECDL

Job description

Job Summary

This role is offered on a permanent basis. The hours are part-time, 30 hours per week.

Are you looking for a challenging and rewarding job opportunity in supporting individuals who are being processed within the Criminal Justice System?

Do you want to help individuals with the hidden disability of speech, language and communication needs who are within the Criminal Justice System?

Do you want to support colleagues in helping individuals who have difficulties with poor understanding and use of expressive language?

Do you want fair outcomes for individuals who come into contact with the Criminal Justice System?

If you can answer yes to the above questions, then we have a job that may pique your interest!

Gloucestershire Health & Care NHS Foundation Trust have been successful in their bid to provide INCS and are seeking a registered Speech and Language Therapist to join an established team in providing, Liaison & Diversion, Mental Health Treatment Requirements & Reconnect to those persons coming into contact with Criminal Justice Agencies from the age of 10 upwards.

Enthusiasm and a passion to supporting people make their way through police custody, court and release from Prison is a must. Previous experience of working in a criminal justice environment is desirable but not essential.

Job Responsibilities

• Attend police stations, custody suites, community settings and magistrates' courts to provide specialist speech, language, and communication assessments, advice and identify robust care pathways for individuals of all ages with identified vulnerability.
• Work closely with, and build links to, all referring agencies within the custody suite, court and probation.
• Deliver specialist speech, language and communication training to criminal justice staff.
• Work autonomously, organising and managing own time with a delegated caseload.
• Provide timely, highly specialist assessment of individuals' communication needs.
• Provide consultation for partner agencies on how to communicate most effectively or modify verbally delivered offender treatment programmes.
• Provide specialist advice and reasonable adjustment recommendations to police/court to make justice processes easier and ensure the communication process is complete, coherent, and accurate.
• Help adapt the content and/or wording of existing verbal and written material, including but not limited to Police Caution, Interview Questioning framework, Court Orders, and Bail conditions.
• Develop specialist programmes of treatment for individuals.
• Regularly review the delivery of the service, working with service managers to assess changes and new initiatives, both national and local, keeping the service needs-led.
• Apply specialist knowledge and skills to meet the needs of those with speech, language and communication needs.
• Advise line managers on service delivery issues including shortfalls, pressures, evidence base, guidelines, etc.
• Formulate risk assessment and risk management plan.

Person Specification

Qualifications - Essential

• A professional qualification at diploma, post graduate and degree level or equivalent in Speech and Language Therapy.
• HCPC registration.
• Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

Qualifications - Desirable

• European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL).

Experience - Essential

• Extensive experience of working with a specialist caseload with adults who have communication disorders.
• Ability to work autonomously, with the ability to organise and manage own time according to delegated workload.
• Knowledge and experience of modern mental health services; social inclusion, recovery, service user involvement and carer support.

Experience - Desirable

• Experience of working in a variety of settings.
• Experience of participating in and developing innovations in areas of risk management, quality standards setting and clinical effectiveness.
• Experience of writing detailed reports including court reports.
• Experience of operating across criminal justice and health and reconciling both systems when planning onward support for vulnerable individuals.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/criminal-record-checks-overseas-applications.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Job Details

Date Posted: 31 October 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 7

Salary: £47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum (pro rata)

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Part-time

Reference number: 327-25-914

Job locations: Montpellier Unit - Wotton Lawn, Horton Road, Gloucester, GL1 3WL

Employer Details

Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust

Montpellier Unit - Wotton Lawn, Horton Road, Gloucester, GL1 3WL

Employer's Website

https://www.ghc.nhs.uk/who-we-are/jobs/