Speech and Language Therapist – Band 5/6 (Adult Community Service) Location: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS trust Salary: Band 5/6 Contract Type: Full-time / Temporary Closing Date: TBC Reference: 85472 An exciting opportunity to join our dynamic Adult Community Speech and Language Therapy Service Are you an enthusiastic and motivated Speech and Language Therapist ready to make a real difference in people’s lives? Whether you’re newly qualified and looking to begin your career journey, or an experienced clinician seeking to broaden your skills within a supportive, forward-thinking service, we would love to hear from you. Our Adult Community Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) team, based in Southampton, provides specialist assessment, diagnosis, and evidence-based intervention for adults (16) with acquired communication and swallowing disorders. We work across a variety of community and inpatient settings including clients’ homes, outpatient clinics, and the Royal South Hants (RSH) and Western Community Hospital (WCH) wards as well as alongside specialist rehabilitation teams such as Early Supported Discharge (ESD), Snowdon Neurological Rehabilitation Unit (SNRU), and the Community Neurological Rehabilitation Team (CNRT). This role offers an excellent development pathway: we are recruiting at both Band 5 (entry level) and Band 6 (experienced), with clear support structures for professional growth and opportunities for career progression within Solent NHS Trust. About the Role As a valued member of our integrated multidisciplinary team (MDT), you will play a central role in providing high-quality, person-centred care to adults with communication and/or swallowing difficulties. You will deliver timely assessments, develop and implement care plans, and provide tailored therapeutic interventions to promote optimal recovery and independence. At Band 5, you’ll consolidate your knowledge and skills, working under the guidance and supervision of senior clinicians. You’ll have a structured preceptorship, access to mentoring, and opportunities to gain experience across a range of adult caseloads — including neurological conditions, stroke, progressive neurological disease, and general acquired disorders. At Band 6, you’ll work more autonomously as an experienced practitioner, taking responsibility for a defined caseload, contributing to service development, supervising students and assistants, and collaborating closely with MDT colleagues to ensure the highest standards of care. You’ll also have opportunities to lead on clinical initiatives, participate in audit and research projects, and develop specialist areas of clinical interest. Key Responsibilities Clinical and Professional Duties Provide high-quality assessment, differential diagnosis, and treatment for clients with communication and/or swallowing difficulties. Develop and implement evidence-based therapy plans tailored to individual needs, using goal-oriented approaches and involving clients and carers in decision-making. Monitor progress and evaluate outcomes using recognised measures to demonstrate clinical effectiveness. Work as part of the wider MDT to provide integrated, coordinated care; contribute to case discussions, discharge planning, and joint goal setting. Communicate complex and often sensitive information with empathy and professionalism to clients, families, and colleagues. Adapt practice to meet diverse client needs, including cultural and linguistic differences. Support and advise carers, families, and professionals on communication strategies and safe swallowing management. Operational and Administrative Duties Manage and prioritise own caseload using locally and nationally agreed prioritisation systems. Maintain accurate, contemporaneous, and confidential records in accordance with HCPC, RCSLT, and Trust policies. Collect, collate, and report data for service monitoring and audit. Ensure equipment and resources are maintained safely, following infection prevention and control and health and safety procedures. Leadership and Supervision (Band 6) Provide clinical supervision and mentoring to junior colleagues, assistants, and students. Contribute to the prioritisation and triage of referrals, ensuring urgent, high-risk clients are seen promptly. Take a lead role in case conferences and multidisciplinary reviews where appropriate. Support service development through participation in quality improvement, clinical governance, and audit projects. Education and Development Participate actively in professional supervision, reflective practice, and continued professional development (CPD). Engage in internal and external training to maintain and enhance clinical competencies. Deliver training to other professionals, carers, and voluntary groups to promote understanding of communication and swallowing needs. Contribute to the learning environment by supporting SLT students on placement and newly qualified therapists within their preceptorship period. About You We are looking for compassionate, proactive, and committed therapists who are eager to learn, collaborate, and contribute to continuous service improvement. You will demonstrate sound clinical reasoning, excellent communication skills, and a flexible approach to managing a varied and sometimes challenging caseload. Essential Criteria (Band 5): Recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree qualification (or equivalent). Registered member of the RCSLT and HCPC Licence to Practice. Student or early career experience across a range of adult communication and swallowing disorders. Strong interpersonal, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. IT literacy, including Microsoft Office packages. Essential Criteria (Band 6 in addition to the above): Minimum of two years post-qualification experience working with adults with communication and swallowing impairments. Demonstrated competence in dysphagia management (postgraduate dysphagia qualification desirable). Experience of working autonomously within a multidisciplinary team. Experience supervising students or therapy assistants. Proven ability to manage a diverse caseload and prioritise effectively in a dynamic clinical environment. Experience contributing to clinical audit, research, or service development projects. Personal Qualities: Empathetic, patient-focused, and adaptable. Organised, reliable, and able to manage competing demands. Motivated and reflective, with a commitment to continuous learning. A confident communicator and collaborator. Able to demonstrate the Trust’s values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence in everyday practice. Interested? If you are passionate about supporting adults with communication and swallowing needs and want to work within a compassionate, innovative, and collaborative team, we would love to hear from you