Speech and Language Therapist - Inpatient Mental Health Services

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; Stafford; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent NHS Trust in Stafford is seeking a skilled Speech and Language Therapist for inpatient mental health services. This role involves providing specialist assessments and treatments for adults with communication needs, offering significant opportunities for professional development within a supportive team. Ideal candidates will have a degree in Speech and Language Therapy and a passion for mental health care.

Benefits

Career development opportunities

Regular supervision

Supportive SLT team

Qualifications

• Unrestricted Health & Care Professions Council Registration.
• CPD Folder evidence of ongoing learning/development.
• Trained in objective dysphagia assessment (e.g. cervical auscultation, videofluoroscopy/FEES).

Responsibilities

• Deliver expert assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for mental health inpatient adults.
• Manage a complex caseload autonomously, often working without direct supervision.
• Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team for holistic patient care.
• Provide supervision and training to junior staff.

Skills

Dysphagia assessment

Communication management

Mental health understanding

Team collaboration

Education

Degree in Speech and Language Therapy

Job description

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Speech and Language Therapist - Inpatient Mental Health Services

The closing date is 27 October 2025

Are you a dysphagia competent, highly skilled HCPC Registered Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) ready to take the next step in your career? We are excited to offer a Band 6 Specialist SLT opportunity on the adult inpatient mental health wards at St George's Hospital, Stafford.

Previous formal mental health experience is not essential but seeking clinicians who demonstrate a strong interest in mental health to undertake this unique opportunity to specialise and deepen knowledge, skills, and experience in this area.

You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide specialist Speech & Language Therapy assessment, diagnosis and treatment to adults and older adults with communication and dysphagia needs on adult inpatient mental health wards.

This role is new with our mental health services and offers a significant opportunity for you to contribute to service development and pathway design within this service.

We value compassionate care, innovation, and professional growth and offer excellent opportunities for Continuing Professional Development. You'll become part of an extremely friendly and supportive SLT team with strong Allied Health Professional (AHP) links connecting you to our valued AHP network of colleagues across the Trust and you will be well supported by our leadership teams through regular supervision.

This is a full-time role, but part-time hours can be considered. We are also open to Band 5 to 6 development options should you meet key competencies.

Main duties of the job

Resilience is key, as it is a challenging yet highly rewarding role. As a specialist Band 6 SLT on our inpatient mental health wards, you will be expected to:

• Deliver expert assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for mental health inpatient adults/older adults with communication and dysphagia needs
• Manage a complex caseload autonomously, often working without direct supervision (but with regular access to B7 & B6 peer SLT support)
• Work collaboratively within a specialist mental health multidisciplinary team to support holistic patient centred care and recovery
• Provide supervision and training to junior staff and contribute to SLT service development where appropriate
• Use evidence-based approaches and specialist tools (e.g. AAC)

About us

Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.

We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.

We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.

We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications

Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.

Job responsibilities

For full details of this role, please see attached the attached job description and person specification. Please note the job description is currently going through the Agenda for Change process and may be subject to change.

Check out the videos below showcasing why you should grow your career here with us at MPFT:

If youre ready to make a meaningful impact in mental health care through specialist SLT practice, wed love to hear from you. We welcome informal visits/enquiries. We are also open to Band 5 to 6 development options if essential criteria are met. If you would like to find out more or chat further about this opportunity, please do contact us.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

• Degree in Speech and Language Therapy.
• Unrestricted Health & Care Professions Council Registration.
• CPD Folder evidence of ongoing learning/development.
• Member of RCSLT regional Clinical Excellence Network (CEN) appropriate to specialist area of post.
• Trained in objective dysphagia assessment (e.g. cervical auscultation, videofluoroscopy/ FEES).

Experience

• Experience with autonomous assessment and management of adults with communication difficulties (e.g. LD, dementia, neurodivergence).
• Experience working with patients with complex mental health needs.
• Experience with autonomous assessment and management of a wide range of dysphagia presentations.
• Experience as qualified practitioner in more than one area of the profession in which they practise.
• Working in a multidisciplinary team
• Experience of working in mental health and/or learning disability inpatient services.
• Experience of and ability to carry out clinical audit.
• Experience of supervising SLT assistants.

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.

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust