Speech and Language Therapist

South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust; Tooting; On-site; GBP 66,000 - 73,000; Part time

Job summary

South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust is recruiting for a Band 8a Speech and Language Therapist to support Deaf adults within Adult Deaf Services. The post is part-time (22.5 hours per week), spanning the Bluebell Inpatient Unit and the Deaf Adult Community Team, with a focus on complex mental health presentations and language deprivation.

The successful candidate will bring a minimum of three years post-qualifying experience, with an interest in Deaf communication and BSL,

Qualifications

• Graduate Diploma / Degree in Speech and Language Therapy or equivalent.
• HCPC registration and RCSLT membership.
• Master's degree or related training to master's level.
• BSL Level 2 or higher for fluent communication with Deaf clients.

Responsibilities

• Provide tertiary SLT service to Deaf adults with mental health diagnoses.
• Assess language, communication and related conditions in clients.
• Develop and deliver specialist SLT interventions for a complex caseload.
• Collaborate with MDTs, families and carers to plan care.
• Maintain accurate clinical records and write complex reports.

Skills

SLT experience

Deaf adults experience

BSL proficiency

Education

Graduate Diploma / Degree in Speech and Language Therapy

HCPC registration

RCSLT membership

Master's degree or equivalent

BSL Level 2 or equivalent fluency

Job description

South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust

Speech and Language Therapist

The closing date is 22 November 2026

We are particularly interested in hearing from applicants who have experience of working with Deaf adults and an understanding of Deaf culture and community. Proficiency in British Sign Language (BSL), ideally at Level 3 or above, would be highly advantageous.

Adult Deaf Services is a national tertiary service providing specialist assessment, treatment, and support for Deaf adults across the south of England. We are committed to delivering high-quality, integrated health and social care in partnership with local community mental health teams and other services involved in an individual's care.

Our specialist inpatient unit provides 14 beds for Deaf adults requiring intensive assessment and treatment within a fully accessible communication environment.

The multidisciplinary team provides access to a wide range of specialist interventions, including psychiatric, psychological, occupational therapy, social work, nursing, neuropsychological, and speech and language therapy assessment and treatment.

Our team includes Consultant Psychiatrists, Specialist Community Psychiatric Nurses, Inpatient Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Social Workers, Psychological Therapists, Clinical Neuropsychologists, and experienced British Sign Language Interpreters who have extensive expertise within mental health settings..

Main duties of the job

This Band 8a Speech and Language Therapy post is offered on a part-time basis of 22.5 hours per week (three days) and involves working across both the specialist Bluebell Inpatient Unit and the Deaf Adult Community Team.

The successful applicant will bring a minimum of three years' post-qualification experience, ideally gained within acute healthcare or comparable specialist settings. We are looking for a clinician who can demonstrate strong Speech and Language Therapy skills alongside experience, interest, or a commitment to working with Deaf people and complex mental health presentations.

Experience of BSL and direct communication with Deaf service users would be beneficial and would support the delivery of assessments and interventions in the client's preferred language. An understanding of the impact of language deprivation and reduced access to early language development would also be valuable. However, experienced interpreters are available to support communication where required, and the team actively supports further professional development in these specialist areas.

The post holder will take a lead role in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and management of communication, language, and language deprivation difficulties within this highly specialist client group. The role will also include assessment and management of eating, drinking, and swallowing difficulties.

About us

Unless expressly stated in the job advert this role is not subject to sponsorship, please be advised that all offers of employment are subject to evidence of right to work in the UK.

We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.

We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good' - we aspire to be 'outstanding'.

This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services as we invest a further £120m to upgrade and modernise our estate by 2027.

We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.

We offer flexible working, career development and a variety ofbenefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive.

Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.

Job responsibilities

To provide a tertiary level speech and language therapy service to deaf adults with a mental health diagnosis whose first language is primarily British Sign Language (BSL).

To use specialist knowledge to independently assess and offer a differential diagnosis on the client's speech, language, and communication in relation to their deafness, mental health problems and any other co-existing diagnoses (i.e., LD, ASD, LDS etc).

To use a holistic, client centred approach, gathering and synthesising information from other professionals and relatives/carers to ensure a full understanding of the persons communication needs is obtained.

To plan, develop and provide specialist SLT advice, recommendations, and intervention programmes for this highly specialist caseload using expertise to create innovative ways of working to promote and maximise individual potential as well as plan for and advise others regarding communication needs within the context of an MDT and in consultation with the client and relatives/carers.

To utilise different ways of offering intervention (individual, group, and multidisciplinary) including collaborative working with Deaf and hearing colleagues.

To demonstrate specialist expertise in the management of adult deaf clients including support with relevant audiological equipment including hearing aids and cochlear implants and help arrange clinical referrals for this purpose when necessary.

To provide consultation and second opinions to other specialist SLTs and other professionals and agencies associated with the service or working with deafness or mental health issues beyond the Trust.

To maintain up to date and accurate clinical records and write complex reports reflecting highly specialist knowledge, ensuring that they meet departmental standards and are in line with Trust Policy, and HCPC and RCSLT professional standards.

To provide specialist clinical/technical skills for interpretative assessment techniques and interventions (phonetic transcription; alternative and augmentative communication systems language sampling; neurolinguistic and psychological profiling etc).

To work closely with families, carers and other professionals involved with individual clients.

To demonstrate highly specialist knowledge in this clinical area, underpinned by current evidence-based practice and outcome measures and ongoing research.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in job applications

If you have used AI to support the preparation of your application, please briefly indicate how it was used within your supporting statement or application form.

Please remember, your application is your opportunity to tell us about your skills, experience and motivation for the role. We encourage applicants to complete their application and supporting statement in their own words wherever possible. We recognise that AI tools can be helpful in supporting accessibility, and for improving spelling, grammar and structure.

Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content can become generic and fail to accurately reflect an applicant's individual experience. Applications that clearly demonstrate your own voice, reflections and experiences are often the most effective and help us better understand your suitability for the role.

Please be aware that information provided in your application and supporting statement may be explored further during the selection process. It is important that all applications accurately represent your own knowledge, skills and experience.

Training & Qualifications

• Graduate Diploma / Degree in Speech and Language Therapy or equivalent
• Registered with Health Professions Council
• Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Master's degree, or related training and experience to master's level equivalent.
• British Sign Language Signature Level 2 or equivalent fluency.

Experience

• Minimum 4 years postgraduate experience.
• Demonstrable post-graduate experience as a SLT including specialist level experience of deafness.
• Experience of multi-disciplinary teamwork.
• Experience of working with clients with challenging behaviour.
• Experience of facilitating groups.
• Experience of working with Deaf Adults and/or teenagers/children using a range of assessments and therapy techniques.
• Training in management and/or leadership skills Experience of supervising other SALTs Supervision of students

Knowledge & Skills

• In depth knowledge of a range of communication options relevant to deaf adults with serious mental health conditions.
• Well established level of working knowledge regarding the various methods of communication, including the use of alternative and augmentative methods, e.g. pictures/ symbols, communication passports.
• To demonstrate skills in handling clients with disabilities.
• Knowledge of evidence based therapeutic techniques used in Mental Health.
• Knowledge of amplification interventions and auditory implants

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.

Employer name

South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust

£66,274 to £73,496 a yearpro rata per annum inclusive of inner London HCAS