Specialist Speech and Language Therapist | Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust; West Malling; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS community trust in West Malling is seeking a dedicated Band 6 Speech and Language Therapist to join their Community Learning Disability Team. The role involves providing assessments and interventions to adults with learning disabilities while collaborating with a multidisciplinary team. Successful candidates will offer support to patients and supervise junior staff, all within a flexible working environment. Applications are encouraged promptly as positions may close early due to high interest.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Support for professional development

Qualifications

• Experience working with adults with learning disabilities.
• Knowledge of dysphagia management.
• Ability to supervise and manage therapy staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide assessments and interventions for adults with learning disabilities.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to support patients.
• Supervise Speech and Language Therapy staff and students.
• Manage a caseload of patients with communication needs.

Skills

Dynamic and motivated

Excellent communication skills

Teamwork and collaboration

Education

Degree in Speech and Language Therapy

Job description

Overview

Are you a dynamic, motivated and dedicated Speech and Language Therapist, ready to take your next step as a Band 6 working in our 'Outstanding'-rated NHS community foundation trust? Exciting opportunities have arisen for a Band 6 Speech and Language Therapist within our Community Learning Disability Team. We would consider adapting the Band 6 position to a development post for a Band 5 Therapist looking to develop into a Band 6 role, with support.

You will be working with a supportive and experienced multidisciplinary team of Nurses, Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Vision and Hearing specialists, alongside social care staff and partner organisations. You will be part of a team that covers Adults with a Learning Disability and complex/multidisciplinary needs. You will be working in a variety of community settings and manage a mixed caseload supporting both communication and dysphagia needs, and people who are at risk of or awaiting discharge from acute or inpatient mental health hospitals.

We invite you to take a look round our newly designed website to show you what we offer for our clients, families and carers: https://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/service/community-learning-disability-team/the-hop/

Role and responsibilities

• Provide Speech and Language Therapy assessment and intervention to adults with a learning disability referred to the West Kent community LD team.
• Work as a member of the multi-disciplinary team and give clinical advice and support to other professionals, support workers and the clients’ care networks.
• Supervise and manage the work of other Speech and Language Therapy staff, support workers and Speech and Language Therapy students.
• Manage caseload allocation along with clinical roles and responsibilities commensurate with the post banding for successful candidates.
• Develop and deliver clinical services in areas such as dysphagia, with opportunities for training and development in areas where experience is currently limited.

What we offer and development

Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we are committed to high standards of patient care and service delivery. We value compassionate, aspirational, responsive and excellent care and support equity, diversity and inclusion in our workforce.

We support flexible working arrangements to suit staff and patients, and we encourage applications from people with varied backgrounds and experiences.

Other information

As a community Trust, many roles require a full UK driving licence where driving is a requirement of the role. If you are unable to drive due to a disability, please contact the Recruitment Team for support. Shortlisting information and guaranteed interview schemes may apply to candidates depending on disability status.

The job description and person specification contain the criteria for the role. Please refer to them in your application and provide evidence of how you meet the criteria. If you need an application form in an alternative format, please contact the recruitment team. All information provided should be true and accurate to the best of your knowledge.

For questions, the recruiting manager can be contacted via the job advert. Applications are encouraged promptly as vacancies may close early if interest is high. Vaccination policies may apply to staff working with patients.

Find out more about the community difference here. Good luck! We look forward to meeting you as part of #teamKCHFT, #cometocommunity.

This advert closes on Monday 22 Sep 2025