Speech and Language Therapist | NELFT NHS Foundation Trust

www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk - Jobboard; Braintree; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A community health service provider is seeking a Speech and Language Therapist to support adults with learning disabilities. This role involves conducting assessments, creating treatment plans, and working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team. Candidates should have a relevant degree in speech and language therapy and a commitment to professional standards. The position offers a competitive salary and potential for professional development.

Benefits

Comprehensive induction training

Support from senior staff

High-Cost Area Supplement

Qualifications

• Proven experience in speech and language therapy for adults with learning disabilities.
• Ability to conduct comprehensive assessments and formulate treatment plans.
• Knowledge of ethical standards in clinical practice.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality speech and language therapy to adults.
• Create therapy care plans to be executed by support staff.
• Liaise with healthcare professionals and families regarding client care.

Skills

Communication skills

Empathy

Teamwork

Education

Degree in Speech and Language Therapy

Job description

Aim of the role:

The expectation of this post holder will be to support their team, department and organisation to achieve the Trust’s Values in their day to day work. These Values are:

● We are Kind.

● We are Respectful.

● We work together with our communities.



The post holder will achieve this by:

The postholder will provide high-quality speech and language therapy services to adults with Learning Disabilities within the community. This includes conducting comprehensive assessments, formulating personalised treatment plans, and supporting individuals with complex communication and swallowing needs. The postholder will work both autonomously and as part of a multidisciplinary team (MDT), contributing to service development and improvement.

This role also involves supporting junior staff, students, and assistants while upholding professional and ethical standards in all clinical practice.

JOB SUMMARY:

The post holder will work alongside the Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) Lead in the Redbridge Community Health & Social Care Team Fairlop with an Integrated Learning Disabilities Team. The primary role will be in the provision of Speech and Language Therapy services to service users accessing this service. You will work independently on a daily basis with regular support from the Speech and Language Therapist Clinical Lead.

This post also involves regular liaison with other members of the Community Health & Social Care Team Fairlop Learning Disabilities Team, Provider organisations and Mainstream Health Services.



Detail of the role is below:

• To provide assessment, therapy and advice to clients with a range of communication/swallowing

difficulties.

• To organise and run intensive or group treatment for relevant client groups within level of competence

(as assessed by line manager)

• To provide therapy care plans to be carried out by Support staff members, while retaining overall

responsibility for the clients

• To provide written reports and guidelines and undertake appropriate liaison with medical staff, families,





Starting with NELFT

NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers and attend a number of drop-in sessions focusing on engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.



Probationary Period

This post will be subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or currently a bank member of staff).

High-Cost Area Supplement

This post also attracts payment for High-Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (minimum payment of £4,714 and a maximum payment of £5,941) pro rata for part time staff.

Certificates of Sponsorship

Although we are a registered sponsor organisation, we are unable to offer sponsorship for all job roles. Please check your eligibility under the UKVI points based system



Leadership

• To be accountable for own professional action and recognise own professional boundaries, seeking

advice as appropriate

• To assist in the induction, training and supervision of SALT Support Workers

• To be responsible for Speech and Language Therapy Support Workers and volunteers involved in the

treatment of individual clients or in group therapy and ensure that the service policy for working with

these groups is adhered to

• To explain the role of the SALT to visitors/volunteers/students and assist in the development of

students from other professional groups as appropriate

• To participate in departmental research and clinical governance/audit projects

• To collect and provide research data as required

Clinical Skills

• To complete Band 5 Newly Qualified Therapist (NQT) document within acceptable time frame as

designated by supervising clinician and within RCSALT guidelines.

• To independently manage and prioritise own caseload using theoretical knowledge to inform clinical

decision-making. To identify when support / guidance from a more experienced therapist is required.

• To assess, differentially diagnose, treat and/or discharge clients with communication and/or feeding

and swallowing difficulties with appropriate supervision as required

• To ensure regular attendance at supervision meetings to enable Band 5 NQT document to be

completed in line with development of competencies as an independent practitioner.

• To ensure that clients are involved in the planning and prioritisation of care plans wherever possible

• To maintain high levels of professional competence, whilst accessing specialist therapists for second

Opinions / advice where necessary

• To manage and prioritise workload of SLT students and Support Workers working within your area of

management.

• To provide written and verbal reports on designated clients as necessary, accessing support and

guidance from supervising clinician or other therapists, as needed.

• To keep up to date case records in accordance with Professional and Service standards

• To maintain high professional standard of practice as designated by the Royal College of Speech and

Language Therapists and the Clinical Lead for Speech & Language Therapy, including maintaining

Continual professional development (CPD) and registration with the Health and Care Professions

Council (HCPC).

• To demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence based practice, care aims and outcome

measures

• To adapt practice to meet individual patients’ circumstances, including due regard for cultural diversity

and linguistic differences

• To be involved in clinical audit as part of the Community Health & Social Care Team in order to

evaluate service provision and to generate appropriate strategies for caseload management

Use of AI

Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.




This advert closes on Wednesday 13 Aug 2025