Go back South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust
Speech and Language Therapist
The closing date is 14 April 2026
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.
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.
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 prioritise 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 standardised and non-standardised 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
* 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
* Evidence of relevant in depth postgraduate study or qualification at a level equivalent to a Masters where it exists e.g. dysphagia
Experience
* 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
* Experience of supervising other SALTs
Knowledge & Skills
* 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
* Competent in handling the mental, emotional and psycho social aspects of working in acute in-patient units.
* 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.
South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust
£58,133 to £65,261 a yearper annum inclusive of inner London HCAS
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