Speech and Language Therapy Assistant

NHS; Mapperley; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 31,000; Part time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare organization in Mapperley is seeking a part-time Speech and Language Therapy Assistant. The role involves supporting patients with communication needs and requires NVQ level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent experience. The successful candidate should possess good communication skills and the ability to work flexibly within a multidisciplinary team. Salary ranges from £27,485 to £30,162 per annum (pro rata).

Benefits

Employee-led staff networks

Occupational health services

Staff counselling services

Qualifications

• Relevant working experience with individuals with learning disabilities or mental health difficulties.
• Experience of using various communication methods for individuals with communication needs.
• Able to demonstrate commitment to teamwork and motivational skills.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with patients to support communication.
• Develop adapted resources and model good communication across wards.
• Maintain accurate records under direction from Speech and Language Therapists.

Skills

Good interpersonal social and communication skills

Clear concise written communication skills

Ability to work flexibly and independently

Motivated and enthusiastic

Education

NVQ level 3 in Health and Social Care

GCSE grade C or above in English

Tools

MS Word

MS Publisher

Symbol databases

Job description

Speech and Language Therapy Assistant

The closing date is 26 November 2025

We are seeking a part time Speech & Language Therapy Assistant to join our established team.

The Speech and Language Therapy team work across the Wells Road Lowe Secure hospital, as part of the Therapies, Education and Rehabilitation Services, and integrated into the care pathways. We work with patients with Speech, Language and Communication Needs, providing assessment and management, working towards shared therapeutic goals collaboratively with the patient and their multidisciplinary team.

We are looking for enthusiastic, motivated individuals who have an interest in working with people with communication disabilities and mental health diagnoses. This is an exciting opportunity for an individual who has experience in intellectual disabilities and/ or mental health and skills in supporting people with additional communication needs.

Main duties of the job

As a SLT Assistant, your work will be key in supporting patients to maximise their potential in communication. You will achieve this by directly working with patients, developing adapted resources and modelling good communication across the wards. You will need to demonstrate good planning and organisational skills, flexibility, teamwork, and ability to work under direction from a Speech and Language Therapist. You will need to be confident in communicating with patients, SLTs and other health and social care professionals. You will be able to manage your own time under direction from a SLT, and competent in record keeping and supporting report writing.

About us

#TeamNottsHC comprises over 11,000 dedicated colleagues who #MakeADifference every day. We deliver intellectual disability, mental health, community health, forensic, and offender healthcare services across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and South Yorkshire. Our care is provided from over 200 sites, spanning community locations, acute settings, and secure environments, including prisons.

We are one of the largest mental health and community Trusts in the East Midlands and one of Nottinghamshire's biggest employers. We also host national and regional services, such as the National High Secure Deaf Service and the Nottingham Centre for Transgender Health.

We offer a variety of employee‑led staff networks, including Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) groups, the Green Champions network, the Freedom to Speak Up network, the Health and Wellbeing Champions network, and the Menopause Champions network. These networks play a vital role in supporting our diverse workforce and promoting a culture of inclusivity.

The health and wellbeing of our colleagues is a top priority. We invest significantly in this through our in‑house occupational health and staff counselling services, supported by a dedicated Health and Wellbeing team.

The Trust is committed to reducing its carbon emissions, with a specialised Energy and Environmental team working to ensure compliance with environmental legislation, enhance our environmental performance, and achieve our net‑zero commitment.

Job responsibilities

You will be required to have an NVQ 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent experience. You need to have good literacy skills, for example a GCSE in English or equivalent. You will need to have a high level of IT skills, the ability to use different computer packages and databases. You will need to demonstrate an ability to work flexibly, motivate, show initiative, work as part of a team under the direction of the Speech & Language Therapy team based on the unit.

Please see the Person Specification and job description for full details. Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. The cost of the DBS application is £26.40 (standard) or £54.40 (enhanced), this cost will be deducted from your salary over the first 2 months of employment.

You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. An annual fee of £16 per year applies. Please note that this post does not meet the pay or skill level required for a Skilled worker visa. Successful applicants with no prior NHS experience would normally be placed at the bottom of the band in line with Agenda for Change. This salary / skill level is below the minimum required for sponsorship for a Skilled Worker / Health & Care visa. In these circumstances the Trust would not, therefore, be able to sponsor for a Skilled Worker / Health & Care visa. Applicants requiring a Skilled Worker Visa can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship against the relevant criteria here https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

Person Specification

Physical requirements

• To undertake relevant mandatory training and engage in the management of violence and aggression.
• Ability to escort and maintain custody of patients both within and outside of secure environments.
• Ability to respond to serious and emergency incidents.

Qualifications

• Good level of literacy skills e.g. GCSE grade C or above in English or equivalent.
• Relevant qualification at equivalent level of NVQ level 3.

Training

• Training in relevant communication approaches such as signs and symbols.

Experience

• Relevant working experience with young people or adults with Learning Disabilities and/or mental health difficulties with additional communication needs.
• Experience of using different communication methods people with learning disabilities or mental health conditions.
• Demonstration of, commitment to and ability to work as a team member.
• Advising other staff on communication approaches.
• Delivering training for staff.
• Experience of working with speech and language therapists.
• Experience of co‑facilitating group‑based programmes.

Knowledge

• Evidence of CPD relevant to patients with a diagnosis of either mental illness, personality disorder and/ or intellectual disability.
• Knowledge of some relevant communication issues for people with learning disabilities or mental health conditions.
• Knowledge of specific communication techniques e.g. signs and symbols, social understanding tools.

Skills

• Ability to work flexibly and independently.
• Clear concise written communication skills.
• Good interpersonal social and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Ability to explain and pass on information to others.
• Ability to teach, coach and mentor others.
• Motivated and enthusiastic.
• Well organised.
• Competence with relevant IT and graphics software e.g. symbol databases, MS Word and MS Publisher.
• Confident in a range of communication approaches, such as developing easy‑read information, Social Stories, decision‑making tools such as Talking Mats.

Values & Behaviours

• All colleagues are expected to demonstrate that they act in line with Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Values: Trust Honesty Respect Compassion Teamwork
• All colleagues are expected to demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and how it applies to their role. The Trust's expectations are highlighted within our EDI Policy, and associated EDI and Human Rights legislation

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

Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum (pro rata for part time)