Speech and Language Therapist - Inpatient Mental Health Services

The Methodist Church in Britain; West Midlands; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent CPD opportunities

Regular supervision from leadership

Links to Trust-wide Allied Health Prof

Support from peer SLT colleagues

Job summary

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist for adult inpatient mental health wards. The role focuses on assessing and treating adults with communication and dysphagia needs, managing a complex caseload autonomously within a multidisciplinary team.

The post requires HCPC registration and a postgraduate dysphagia qualification; visa sponsorship is not available. The position runs for 16 months, with opportunities for CPD and supervision.

Qualifications

• HCPC registration is required.
• Eligibility to work in the UK without visa sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Assess, diagnose and treat adults and older adults with communication and dysphagia needs on adult inpatient mental health wards.
• Manage a complex caseload autonomously, often without direct supervision.
• Work within a specialist mental health multidisciplinary team to support patient-centred care and recovery.
• Provide supervision and training to junior staff.
• Contribute to SLT service development where appropriate.
• Use evidence-based approaches and specialist tools such as AAC.

Skills

Dysphagia management

Autonomous assessment

Multidisciplinary teamwork

AAC awareness

Education

Degree in Speech and Language Therapy

Post-graduate dysphagia qualification

CPD folder evidencing ongoing learning

Job description

This 16-month fixed-term post, running to March 2028, is a Specialist SLT role on the adult inpatient mental health wards at Redwoods Centre, Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. The post-holder assesses, diagnoses and treats adults and older adults with communication and swallowing difficulties, managing a complex caseload with limited direct supervision. The role is new to the service, offering scope to shape pathways, and prior mental health experience is not essential. Applicants need to be dysphagia-trained, HCPC-registered therapists, and visa sponsorship is not available.

What the job involves

• Assess, diagnose and treat adults and older adults with communication and dysphagia needs on adult inpatient mental health wards
• Manage a complex caseload autonomously, often without direct supervision
• Work within a specialist mental health multidisciplinary team to support patient-centred care and recovery
• Provide supervision and training to junior staff
• Contribute to SLT service development where appropriate
• Use evidence-based approaches and specialist tools, such as AAC

Qualifications

• Degree in Speech and Language Therapy
• Post-graduate dysphagia qualification
• CPD folder evidencing ongoing learning and development

Registration & licences

• Unrestricted HCPC registration

Experience

• Autonomous assessment and management of adults with communication difficulties, such as learning disability, dementia or neurodivergence
• Experience working with patients with complex mental health needs
• Autonomous assessment and management of a wide range of dysphagia presentations
• Qualified practitioner in more than one area of the profession
• Working in a multidisciplinary team

Checks & eligibility

• Eligibility to work in the UK without visa sponsorship

Nice to have

• Membership of the RCSLT regional Clinical Excellence Network for the specialist area
• Training in objective dysphagia assessment, such as cervical auscultation, videofluoroscopy or FEES
• Experience of mental health and/or learning disability inpatient services
• Experience of clinical audit
• Experience of supervising SLT assistants

What's offered

• Excellent continuing professional development opportunities
• Regular supervision from leadership teams
• Links to the Trust-wide Allied Health Professional network
• Support from peer SLT colleagues