Speech and Language Therapist

The Methodist Church in Britain; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS pension scheme

Learning and career development

Cycle to Work and car leasing

Free parking across Trust sites

Job summary

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Speech and Language Therapist to deliver the speech and language pathway within the Liaison and Diversion agenda across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The post holder will assess needs, advise police and courts, and build care pathways with referring agencies.

HCPC registration and Royal College membership are required, with significant Band 5 experience in community settings.

Qualifications

• Recognised speech and language therapy degree, or equivalent professional qualification
• Post-registration training and development evidenced, with newly qualified competencies signed off
• Current HCPC licence to practise
• Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Significant Band 5+ experience in a community setting

Responsibilities

• Deliver the speech and language pathway within the Liaison and Diversion agenda
• Hold a specialist speech and language portfolio, advising therapists and senior staff across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight
• Write timely reports for police and courts on individuals to inform disposal
• Attend police stations, custody suites, and courts to carry out specialist assessments
• Build links with referring agencies in custody, court and probation as the single health contact
• Deliver specialist training on speech and language need to custody staff and stakeholders
• Work autonomously, organising own time to a delegated workload
• Travel to multiple sites across Hampshire and Isle of Wight as required

Skills

Excellent written/verbal/interpersonal

Advanced IT skills (Excel, databases,‑

Autonomous working

Education

SLT degree or equivalent

Job description

A 12-month fixed-term post with Berkshire Healthcare's Liaison and Diversion team, working in police custody and magistrates' courts across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The work centres on assessing speech, language and communication needs, advising police and courts, and building care pathways with referring agencies. The postholder is the single point of contact for health in the custody and court pathway and delivers specialist training to custody and court staff. HCPC registration and Royal College membership are required.

What the job involves

• Deliver the speech and language pathway within the Liaison and Diversion agenda
• Hold a specialist speech and language portfolio, advising therapists, senior clinicians and the MDT across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight
• Write timely reports for police and courts on individuals to inform disposal
• Attend police stations, custody suites, community settings and magistrates' courts to carry out specialist assessments and identify care pathways
• Build links with referring agencies in custody, court and probation, acting as the single point of contact for health
• Deliver specialist training on speech and language need to custody sergeants, magistrates, the crown court and other stakeholders
• Work autonomously, organising own time to a delegated workload
• Work from other Hampshire sites as service needs require, with the base agreed at interview
• Travel to custody suites across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, mainly Southampton, Portsmouth and Basingstoke, with occasional Isle of Wight visits

Qualifications

• Recognised speech and language therapy degree, or equivalent professional qualification at diploma, postgraduate or degree level
• Post-registration training and development evidenced, with newly qualified competencies signed off

Registration & licences

• Current HCPC licence to practise
• Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

Experience

• Significant experience at Band 5 or equivalent, in a community setting
• Experience of analysing and collating complex information from varied sources for SLT assessments
• Experience working with specialist groups, including young people, people with learning disabilities and other vulnerabilities

Skills & knowledge

• Understanding of the Mental Capacity Act
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication
• Ability to work across multiple systems such as criminal justice and health
• Understanding of recovery theory and the wider determinants of health
• Advanced IT skills, including Excel, databases and Microsoft applications
• Ability to work autonomously and manage own time to a delegated workload

Checks & eligibility

• Full valid UK driving licence, with access to a vehicle and ability to travel efficiently to multiple sites
• Ability to secure police vetting, requiring at least three years' UK residency

Other

• Passion for supporting people in criminal justice to reduce reoffending, with commitment to continuous learning and reflective practice

Nice to have

• Knowledge and experience of modern mental health services, including social inclusion, recovery, service user involvement and carer support
• Understanding of criminal justice and health, and reconciling both systems when planning support for vulnerable individuals
• Ability to deliver training and learning events
• Previous experience in criminal justice or offender health

What’s offered

• Flexible working options to support work-life balance
• 27 days' annual leave rising with service, plus opportunity to buy and sell leave
• NHS pension scheme
• Learning and career development opportunities
• Cycle to Work and car leasing scheme, including electric vehicles
• Access to wellbeing tools and services
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
• Free parking across Trust sites