Job summary
Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust are looking to recruit a Band 6 Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) to work with adults with learning disabilities (LD) in Darlington. Consideration will be given to making the post a Band 5 to 6 development opportunity for the right candidate. The successful post holder will be based in our Darlington team and primarily work with service users living in the Darlington area, however there may be a requirement to cover a wider locality depending on the service need (Durham and Teesside).
Main duties of the job
The post holder will assess and treat communication difficulties and eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties. The successful applicant will work alongside a team of health and social care professionals including other speech & language therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, dietitians, nurses, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, support workers and associate practitioners. The post holder will also work with SLT associate practitioners and be expected to delegate and supervise their work. The caseload is varied and intervention is completed as part of a multi-disciplinary team, committed to collaborative working and focusing on the provision of a high quality, evidence based service.
The successful applicant with have a degree in Speech & Language Therapy and experience working with adults with learning disabilities, mental health difficulties and/or complex needs. They will have knowledge of related issues and influencing national and local directives. They will preferably be competent in the assessment and treatment of eating, drinking & swallowing difficulties (dysphagia).
The post holder will be part of a dynamic SLT Learning Disability and Mental Health service, with well defined peer support, supervision systems and CPD opportunities. There may be an occasional requirement to provide assessment, advice and intervention to other Trust areas, including inpatient units.
About us
We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.
From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care --our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.
We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.
We're committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.
We won't rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.
Consideration of B5-6 for the right candidate - including graduating students on condition they pass their qualifications
Details
Date posted
20 June 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 5
Salary
£29,970 to £44,962 a year per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
346-DDL-016-25-C
Job locations
Hundens Lane Resource Centre
Hundens Lane
Darlington
DL1 1DT
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see job description and person specification attached for further details; additionally further information can be gained from the lead contact.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
1. Appropriate professional qualification in speech and language therapy role or pending
2. Current relevant registration with HCPC or pending
3. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) level 8 for international recruits
Desirable
4. Post graduate training in relevant specialist area
Experience
Essential
5. Experience of working in a variety of practice areas whilst on student placements or postgraduate
Desirable
6. Experience of supporting people with mental health issues, learning disability or autism
7. Experience of working in Multidisciplinary Team
Knowledge
Essential
8. Awareness of professional standards and their application to practice
9. Understanding of the needs of service users with mental health conditions and/or learning disabilities
Desirable
10. Clinical risk assessment and application in practice
11. Knowledge of evidencebased practice in designated specialist area