Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
NHS AfC: Band 6
Main area Speech and Language Therapy Grade NHS AfC: Band 6 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - hours per week (In addition staff will be expected to be part of an on-call provision offering telephone advice only - outside of the working hours) Job ref -OPC-2- Site Derby & Derbyshire Community Town Derby Salary £, - £, pa, pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing //6 :
Want to make a real difference and have a truly rewarding career? Join 'Team Derbyshire Healthcare' and become part of a talented, compassionate and enthusiastic workforce committed to a vision of ‘making a positive difference in people's lives’.
We’ve been rated ‘good’ overall by the CQC, with some outstanding services. The CQC commented at our most recent inspection on how our colleagues “treated patients with compassion and kindness” and “felt positive and proud about working for the trust.
We are passionate about making equality, diversity and inclusion part of our DNA. We take pride in our “People First Culture” which creates a workplace where everyone feels a genuine sense of belonging, difference is celebrated, and people are comfortable to bring their whole selves to work. We value the richness that comes from having colleagues that are fully representative of the local community. We welcome people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, protected characteristics, and with all backgrounds and experiences.
Job overview
The Intensive Support Team has an exciting opportunity for a skilled, motivated, and dynamic Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join our service and work creatively to make a meaningful difference to the lives of adults with a Learning Disability.
We are seeking a therapist with a strong value-based approach and specialist knowledge of communication and interaction needs for people with a Learning Disability.
This post is for a Band 6, Speech and Language Therapist, working hours per week on a permanent contract.
The team operates 8am–8pm Monday to Friday, and 9am–5pm Saturday–Sunday on a rota basis. In addition to the contracted hours IST also provides an on-call provision offering telephone advice only outside of the above working hours.
Our ethos is to work intensively and creatively as a multidisciplinary team to support adults with a Learning Disability to enhance their quality of life through person-centred practice.
Main duties of the job
The IST is a dynamic, responsive team supporting adults with Learning Disabilities across Derby City and South County. We work intensively with people in crisis to prevent placement breakdown or hospital admission.
As the Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, you will provide specialist communication assessment and intervention, contribute to MDT formulation and crisis planning, and develop communication-support strategies. You will offer training and coaching to families, carers and providers, support colleagues to use communication-informed approaches within Positive Behaviour Support, and identify communication factors contributing to distress or behaviours of concern. You will also support transitions and community reintegration through communication-focused plans.
The role is mainly community-based with some hospital in-reach. Flexible working is embedded, and smaller caseloads allow focused, short-term intervention. The post offers strong opportunities for development within an integrated MDT focused on real-life change.
Working for our organisation
Join 'Team Derbyshire Healthcare' and become part of a talented, compassionate and enthusiastic workforce committed to a vision of ‘making a positive difference in people's lives’.
CQC rated us as 'GOOD’ overall, commenting on how our colleagues “treated patients with compassion and kindness” and “felt positive and proud about working for the trust.”
Benefits include:
1. Commitment to flexible working where this is possible
2. days annual leave/year plus bank holidays, increasing to days after 5 years & days after years’ service
3. Yearly appraisal and commitment to ongoing training
4. Generous NHS pension scheme
5. Good maternity, paternity and adoption benefits
6. Health service discounts and online benefits
7. Incremental pay progression
8. Free confidential employee assistance programme /7
9. Access to our LGBT+ network, BAME Network and Christian Network
10. Health and wellbeing opportunities
11. Structured learning and development opportunities
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please review the Job Description and Person Specification for the full details. To apply, please click APPLY FOR THIS JOB - this link will take you to the TRAC Recruitment Site. You will need to register if you do not already have an account.
The successful candidate:
You should be able to work confidently both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team, bringing specialist knowledge and skills across relevant areas of clinical practice. We recognise that many clinical skills gained in other settings are highly transferable, and we welcome applications from clinicians who are motivated to adapt and further develop their existing skills to support communication assessments and interventions for adults with a learning disability.
You will need access to appropriate transport to work across the community localities within South Derbyshire, including Derby City, Amber Valley and Swadlincote.
As part of this role, you will:
12. Undertake comprehensive communication assessments of service users and their environments using a range of observational and formal tools, informing tailored and effective intervention plans.
Share clinical insights and advice to support a holistic, person-centred approach across the multidisciplinary team and wider network.
Evaluate outcomes and measure the impact of interventions to ensure high-quality, evidence-informed practice.
Deliver person-centred, goal-directed interventions, including one-to-one sessions, group work and consultancy-based approaches.
Work collaboratively with families, carers and professionals across health, education, social care and voluntary-sector services to ensure coordinated and consistent support.
Contribute to the ongoing development of Speech and Language Therapy provision within the Intensive Support Team.
Enable and support others, including Speech and Language Therapy Assistants, through training, guidance and modelling to meet the communication needs of service users.
Person specification
Attainments and Qualifications
Essential criteria
13. Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification
14. Health Care Professions Council Registration
15. Registered Member of Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists.
16. Evidence of successful completion of specialist post registration training
Desirable criteria
17. •Membership of relevant Clinical Excellence Networks
Experience
Essential criteria
18. Experience working with adults with LD/Autism or transferable experience.
19. Post registration experience in a registered Speech and Language Therapist post
20. Knowledge of assessment tools relevant to adults with learning disabilities.
21. Experience of using person centred thinking/approaches in clinical practice with adults with learning disabilities
22. Ability to work autonomously.
Desirable criteria
23. Experience of working with service users with Mental Health needs/ behaviours that challenge
24. Experience of working in crisis situations.
25. Experience of supervising students and assistants.
26. Experience of service development.
Skills
Essential criteria
27. Excellent interpersonal skills – including observation, listening and empathy skills.
28. Excellent presentation skills, both written and verbal.
29. Negotiation and problem solving skills.
30. Well-developed organisational and self-management skills.
Desirable criteria
31. Skills in providing managerial/ Clinical supervision to junior staff
32. Experience delivering training.
Further details / informal visits contact
NameRebecca NeedhamJob titleClinical Operational ManagerEmail numberAdditional information
Carolyne Najjuma
Clinical Operational Manager Learning Disability Intensive Support Team (IST) Contact Telephone Number