Speech and Language Therapist | Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust; Reading; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options to support a良

27 days’ annual leave rising with the

Excellent learning and career develop-

Cycle to Work and car leasing (EVs)

Wellbeing tools and services

Discounts at retailers and restaurants

Staff networks for equality

Generous maternity, paternity, leave

Free parking across Trust sites

Job summary

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a qualified Speech and Language Therapist to join the Liaison and Diversion team in Reading. You will support the Speech & Language pathway and provide expert advice across police custody and court settings.

The role requires HCPC registration and a strong interest in health and justice; previous criminal justice or offender health experience is desirable.

Qualifications

• HCPC registration required and RCSLT membership desirable.
• Experience as a Speech and Language Therapist in community settings preferred.
• Liaison and Diversion experience is a plus but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Support delivery of the Speech & Language pathway in line with L&D agenda.
• Provide expert advice to SLTs, clinicians, MDT across Thames Valley, and to police & court with written information.
• Attend police stations, custody suites, community settings, magistrates courts with assessments and care pathways.
• Build links with referring agencies within custody, court and probation; act as single point of contact.
• Deliver specialist training within Criminal Justice pathways to custody sergeants, magistrates and crown court.
• Organise and manage own time to meet delegated workload.

Skills

HCPC registration

Clinical communication

SLT assessments

Education

Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree

Health Professions Council licence to practise

Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists member

Tools

None

Job description

Speech and Language Therapist | Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Company:

Company: Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Salary: £39,959 - £48,117 per annum

Hours: Full-time

Location: Reading, RG30 2BA

Job type: Permanent

Posting date: 9 Oct 2026

Closing date: 8 Nov 2026

Do you think everyone who is arrested is guilty? Or that all offenders should be locked up for as long as possible? If so, this is not the role for you.

Do you believe people in police custody should be interviewed in a way they can understand and engage with? Do you think people should clearly understand their bail conditions, rather than risk re-arrest for unknowingly breaching them?

By identifying speech, language and communication needs, vulnerable people can be better supported to navigate the Criminal Justice System, understand legal processes, and access appropriate support. This can improve their experience and help reduce the risk of reoffending.

We are seeking a qualified Speech and Language Therapist to join our Liaison and Diversion team. We are looking for an enthusiastic, HCPC-registered professional with an interest in health and justice and a passion for supporting people in police custody and court. Previous experience in criminal justice or offender health is desirable but not essential.

Our award-winning service is committed to improving outcomes by identifying health needs, connecting people with support, and reducing reoffending. The team has received recognition from the Howard League for Penal Reform, Thames Valley Police, Hampshire Constabulary, and Berkshire Healthcare.

If you are passionate about using your skills to make a real difference to people navigating the criminal justice system, we would love to hear from you.

Responsibilities

• To support the delivery of the Speech & Language pathway in line with the L& D agenda.
• To be responsible for a specialist speech & language portfolio which will include provision of expert advice to speech & language therapists, senior clinicians, Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) across Thames Valley & to provide the police & court with written information pertaining to the individual in a timely fashion.
• To attend police stations,custody suites,communitysettings& magistrates courts & provide specialist speech & language assessments, advice &identifyrobust care pathways.
• To work closely & build links with all referring agencies within the custody suite,court& probation, acting as a single point of contact.
• To deliver specialist training within Criminal Justice pathways to custody sergeants, magistrate & crown court & other key stakeholders.
• To work autonomously, with the ability to organise & manage own time according to delegated workload.

We work across Berkshire,Oxfordshire& Buckinghamshire, you maybe requiredto attend police custody suites across these areas, usually Loddon Valley, Maidenhead & Abingdon &any of our sites in Thames Valley to meet service needs.

This role is Monday – Friday only. Requests for specific working pattens can be considered in line with our policy. Our service operates in police custody from 7am – 8pm, 7 days a week using a combination of early shifts, late shifts & does not operate at night.

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we’re committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Values

• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Benefits

• Flexible working options to support work-life balance
• 27 days’ annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities
• ‘Cycle to Work’ and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
• Free parking across Trust sites

Required qualifications and experience

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree
• Health Professions Council licence to practise
• Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Significant experienceat Band 5 or equivalent in a community setting.
• Licence holder with access to your own vehicle who is prepared to multiple sites across Berkshire asrequired.

We’recommitted to equal opportunitiesand welcomeapplications fromall sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected inour accreditations:StonewallProud Employer,Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award.Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

This advert closes on Sunday 18 Oct 2026

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme