Speech and Language Therapist

Job summary
It is a very exciting time to be joining Oak Ward, Low Secure Learning Disability and Autism Ward. We offer a supportive working environment, regular supervision, opportunities for CPD and annual appraisal. We are an innovative service, and you will be actively encouraged to develop your skills as a speech and language therapist. The role of the Speech and Language therapist on Oak Ward focuses on providing assessments and interventions to promote communication and inclusion, and safe eating and drinking amongst people who have a mental health diagnosis and learning disabilities and/or autism.

We are looking for someone who will work holistically with Learning Disability and Autism service users to ensure excellent patient-centred care, aiming towards a safe discharge into the community. We would like staff who are passionate about Learning Disabilities and Autism as well as an interest or experience in mental health services and/ or forensic mental health.

Main duties of the job
The speech and language therapist will be instrumental in ensuring service user's physical health is optimised and that they can benefit from the available treatment options, they will also use a total communication approach to ensure the service users voice is represented in all stages of the service user journey.

The speech and language therapist will plan and implement individual and/or group interventions collaboratively, to enable service user to achieve valued goals. A main part of the work on the ward will also include risk assessment and planning with the MDT. The post also offers an opportunity to develop managerial skills, we would ensure that you receive the relevant training and support when you join the team as required.

The successful candidate will need to be able to adapt these skills as appropriate to situation. The speech and language therapist will independently manage a clinical caseload of service user with complex mental health needs.

About us
We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.

We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good' - we aspire to be 'outstanding'.

This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services as we invest a further £120m to upgrade and modernise our estate by 2027.

We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.

We offer flexible working, career development and a variety of benefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive.

Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.

Unless expressly stated in the job advert the role is not subject to sponsorship, please be advised that all offers of employment are subject to evidence of right to work in the UK

Job responsibilities

• To be responsible for the delivery of Speech and Language Therapy across Turner ward providing assessment and implementing specialist SLT treatment and programmes of care, writing reports, reflecting specialist knowledge.
• To independently manage, triage and prioritize own complex caseload providing a highly specialist SLT assessment, formulation, diagnosis, intervention and advice based on evidence-based practice
• To use specialist knowledge to screen all new referrals where appropriate with the multi-disciplinary team, and allocate priority for intervention, based on client need.
• To independently assess people with complex mental health needs, LD needs or ASD needs within the unit using a range of standardized and non-standardized assessments and other assessment tools, together with advanced analytical clinical reasoning skills to form a baseline measure or differential diagnosis from which to plan intervention.
• To assess clients using clinical/technical skills including listening, phonetic transcription and analysis, linguistic profiling based on linguistic models of development, social communication analysis, use of AAC such as signing and use of electronic communication aids such as switches/IT support and a range of formal and psychological assessment tools.
• To demonstrate acute observational skills in working with clients with profound and multiple learning disabilities who display subtle communication.
• To use a holistic, client centred approach, gathering and synthesising information from other professionals and relatives/carers, in order to ensure that intervention packages are best suited to patient, relatives and place of delivery
• To develop and implement speech and language therapy treatment plans for individuals and groups using expertise to create innovative ways of working where appropriate, to promote and maximise individual potential as well as to plan for and advise others regarding the management of clients with communication and/or feeding/swallowing difficulties within the context of an MDT and in consultation with patients and relatives
• To frequently be required to make complex clinical decisions taking into account conflicting priorities of airway protection, quality of life, nutritional compromise and client autonomy
• To liaise with other team specialists and professional groups to refer clients for further investigation and/or second opinion as required.
• To manage the emotional consequences of working with people who have distressing, degenerative conditions alongside serious mental health conditions and be aware of the needs, demands and pressures on their relatives and carers
• To provide second opinions and advice to clients, carers and colleagues as well as other SLTs, based on expertise and clinical specialism regarding the diagnosis, treatment, management and care of clients with communication or feeding and swallowing difficulties.

Person Specification
Training and Qualifications
Essential

• Graduate Diploma / Degree in Speech and Language Therapy or equivalent
• Registered with Health Professions Council
• Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

Desirable

• Evidence of relevant in depth postgraduate study or qualification at a level equivalent to a Masters where it exists e.g. dysphagia

Experience
Essential

• At least 2 years post dysphagia training experience of managing clients with dysphagia needs.
• Experience of working in a range of mental health settings including with learning disabilities and/ or forensic mental health
• Experience of working as part of a SLT team and/or multi disciplinary team

Desirable

• Experience of supervising other SALTs

Knowledge & Skills
Essential

• In depth knowledge of management and treatment of communication difficulties and dysphagia in individuals with serious mental health conditions
• Ability to teach specific SLT treatment packages, and theory to patients / carers / professionals/ others
• To be competent in handling the mental, emotional and psycho social aspects of working in acute in-patient units.
• To be familiar with relevant legislation relating to the care of people with serious mental health conditions
• Understand the impact of communication breakdown on the client's emotional wellbeing, mental health, functional ability, life chances, family dynamics and social and educational inclusion

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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name: South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust
Address: Springfield University Hospital, 15 Springfield Drive, London, SW17 0YF, United Kingdom
Employer's website: (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Team manager, Omotayo Ethapemi, View email address on meeveem.com

Details
Date posted: 24 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £58,133 to £65,261 a year per annum inclusive of inner London HCAS
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 294-FASP-7983890-JB-C
Job locations: Springfield University Hospital, 15 Springfield Drive, London, SW17 0YF, United Kingdom

Supporting documents
Privacy notice: South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)

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