Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
The closing date is 10 May 2026
Specialist Speech & Language Therapist - Development post - Band 6/7
A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen for a developmental position for a band 6 Speech and Language Therapist to develop to a band 7 Clinical Specialist Speech and Language Therapist in our prison mental health services based at HMP Hull and HMP Humber.
This follows Tees Esk & Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust being awarded the contract to provide these prisons mental health services and as such we are looking to extend the multi‑disciplinary team. Speech and Language Therapy is new to both Hull and Humber HMP mental health teams and we are looking for a creative individual to lead a small new SLT team.
The post would cover both prison mental health teams and the wellbeing unit at Hull HMP (enhanced mental health unit for men with moderate or severe mental illness). You would also be part of the Mental Health Multi‑disciplinary teams onsite alongside supervision of band 5 Speech and Language Therapists based across HMP Hull and HMP Humber.
This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. However, sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements, therefore, we recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position. Visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa
Main duties of the job
The post holder will assess and provide intervention for a range of communication difficulties for men within these prison settings. They will work alongside a team of health care professionals (including nurses, occupational therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists and support workers) and partner colleagues (including prison staff, primary health care providers). As such, the post holders must be committed to collaborative working and have an excellent teamwork ethos. You would also be joining a wider SLT department that provides excellent CPD opportunities and support.
Job responsibilities
The post holder should be motivated by the opportunity to become part of the growing SLT workforce working in justice settings. They will be responsible for leading, shaping and developing SLT roles by demonstrating excellence in clinical care, providing training to the team and promoting a culture of evidence‑based practice and person‑centred care.
The post holder will have a degree in Speech and Language Therapy and have significant experience working in mental health or learning disability services and complex needs. They will have knowledge of related issues and national directives and an understanding of the criminal justice system would be beneficial. They will be expected to facilitate and promote the wider understanding of and utilisation of SLT within mental health care and the prison population. This post will be subject to police/prison vetting.
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.
We would welcome calls from interested applicants to discuss the post and may be able to arrange face‑to‑face visits to the organisation on request.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Band 6 – Appropriate professional qualification in Speech and Language Therapy role
* Band 6 – Current relevant registration with specific regulatory body
* Band 6 – Post graduate dysphagia training and experience
Experience
* Band 6 – Minimum 12 months post qualifying experience of Speech and Language Therapy delivery
* Band 6 – Experience of working in Multidisciplinary Team (SW essential criteria)
Knowledge
* Band 6 – Understanding of the needs of service users with mental health conditions or learning disabilities.
* Band 6 – Clinical risk assessment and application in practice
* Band 6 – Knowledge of evidence based practice in designated specialist area
* Band 6 – Post graduate training in specialist area if applicable to post (e.g. dysphagia, autism diagnostics)
* Band 6 – Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team
* Band 6 – Experience of managing complex Speech and Language Therapy cases
* Band 6 – Awareness of professional standards and its application to practice
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.
Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
Full‑time, Flexible working, Compressed hours
#J-18808-Ljbffr