Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
The closing date is 18 June 2026.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated and innovative Speech & Language Therapist (SLT) to join the Norfolk Forensic Community Learning Disability (NFC-LD) team based at Little Plumstead Hospital.
The successful candidate will work as an influential and integral member of a diverse multi‑disciplinary Learning Disability and Forensic team, working across a range of community settings throughout Norfolk with adults with speech, language and communication difficulties.
You will be forward thinking and able to demonstrate clinical knowledge in the management of communication difficulties, based on current evidence. You will autonomously undertake specialist assessments & interventions and be actively involved in the continued development of the NFC‑LD team communication pathway.
The post offers good links with SLT colleagues throughout HPFT services, with regular supervision and extensive CPD and training opportunities. There is a strong ethos of Continuous Quality Improvement throughout the service and the Trust as a whole, presenting possibilities for developing and advancing clinical and academic knowledge and skills.
Main duties of the job
* Provide high quality, comprehensive Speech and language Therapy assessment and intervention for adults with learning disabilities and communication difficulties who have involvement with or are at risk of involvement with the Criminal Justice System
* Manage a caseload using evidence‑based, person‑centred principles to assess, differentially diagnose and advocate for people with communication difficulties, and plan, implement and evaluate interventions in community settings
* Undertake supervision of junior staff and students as required
* Work as a member of the multidisciplinary team
About us
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from the Care Quality Commission.
Our family of over 4,500 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. Everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:
Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.
Job responsibilities
* Assess, diagnose and develop treatment plans for service users, including those with learning disabilities, additional sensory and/or physical disabilities, neurodevelopmental conditions, mental health diagnoses and challenging behaviour.
* Be responsible for managing a defined caseload, in the context of the service caseload, with ongoing formal evaluation of clinical effectiveness using specified outcome measures.
* Work with and be available to other SLTs and multidisciplinary Assistant Therapy Practitioners (ATPs) for support and joint consultation regarding clinical practice as required.
* Work with service users and carers to identify SLT requirements as part of the overall care plan.
* Plan and implement individual interventions, in collaboration with the service user and carer.
* Contribute to multidisciplinary forensic risk assessments.
* Assess for, advise on and facilitate reasonable adjustments in the context of access to the criminal justice system.
* Monitor, evaluate and modify interventions with service users to ensure effectiveness of intervention and positive outcomes.
* Have knowledge and understanding of the application of alternative and augmentative communication.
* Have the skills needed to facilitate group work with service users.
* Undertake complex risk assessment and risk management for individual clients.
* Ensure that clients are consulted and involved in decision about their care.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Degree in Speech and Language Therapy
* Registration with HCPC
* Member of the RCSLT
Experience
* Specialist knowledge and application of speech and language therapy assessments and interventions
* Detailed knowledge of evidence‑based practice and its contribution to practice governance
* Planning and coordination of treatment packages
* Experience of working within a Learning Disability and / or Forensic setting
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.
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
£39,959 to £48,117 a year pro rata
#J-18808-Ljbffr