Job summary
Are you an experienced Speech & Language Therapist, with a passion for supporting adults with learning disabilities with communication and dysphagia? We are looking for a compassionate and motivated Highly Specialist Speech & Language Therapist to join our Adult Learning Disabilities Service, within Hywel Dda University Health Board, based in beautiful Pembrokeshire, West Wales.
You will provide highly specialist assessment, diagnosis and management of complex communication and swallowing needs, across the Hywel Dda region. Working within our multidisciplinary Community Learning Disabilities Team and wider SLT team, you will help deliver high-quality, person-centred care.
At Hywel Dda UHB, our values--putting people at the heart of everything we do, striving for excellent services, and working together to be the best we can be--guide our work. In this role, you will embody these values by supporting individuals with complex communication and/or dysphagia needs, ensuring their voices are heard, their choices respected and their goals central to every decision.
You will contribute to service development and work closely with supportive colleagues.
Main duties of the job
You will provide highly specialist assessment, diagnosis, and intervention for adults with learning disabilities and dysphagia, using evidence-based approaches to support safe, effective care. Working collaboratively with individuals, families, and colleagues, you will develop person-centred care plans and offer clear specialist advice.
You will contribute to the development and review of clinical pathways, guidelines, and service standards within the Adult Learning Disabilities service. You will support clinical audit, inform service planning, and help promote best practice across the Health Board.
You will provide supervision to SLT colleagues and students, and deliver specialist training to staff, carers, and partner professionals to support skill development and confidence across the team.
As a key member of the Community Learning Disabilities Team, you will work closely with a range of health and social care professionals to support coordinated, holistic care. You will share specialist knowledge, communicate effectively in complex situations and contribute to cohesive care planning.
About us
Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.
We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.
Our services are provided in:
* Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
* Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
* Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
* 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 99 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
* Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services
Details
Date posted
24 February 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 7
Salary
£48,527 to £55,532 a year per annum (pro rata if part time)
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Flexible working, Compressed hours
Reference number
100-AHP A
Job locations
Pembrokeshire CTLD, Llanion House
Llanion Park
Pembroke Dock
SA72 6DY
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will manage your own caseload independently, prioritising to meet service needs across Pembrokeshire. You will maintain accurate documentation, contribute to routine data collection and ensure the safe use of clinical equipment in line with professional and organisational standards.
Set in one of Waless most stunning regions, Pembrokeshire offers an exceptional quality of life, with golden beaches, dramatic coastal paths, welcoming communities and the UKs only coastal National Park. Its a place where wellbeing, outdoor living and professional fulfilment come together. Hywel Dda UHB is committed to valuing staff, encouraging innovation and supporting ongoing professional development.
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
Interviews will be held on 30/03/2026
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will manage your own caseload independently, prioritising to meet service needs across Pembrokeshire. You will maintain accurate documentation, contribute to routine data collection and ensure the safe use of clinical equipment in line with professional and organisational standards.
Set in one of Waless most stunning regions, Pembrokeshire offers an exceptional quality of life, with golden beaches, dramatic coastal paths, welcoming communities and the UKs only coastal National Park. Its a place where wellbeing, outdoor living and professional fulfilment come together. Hywel Dda UHB is committed to valuing staff, encouraging innovation and supporting ongoing professional development.
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
Interviews will be held on 30/03/2026
Person Specification
Qualifications & Knowledge
Essential
* Degree in Speech & Language Therapy and evidence of successful completion of training/specialist short courses up to Master's Degree or equivalent level, and relevant to area of clinical expertise
* Accredited post-basic dysphagia training with extensive experience of managing complex cases
* HCPC registration
* RCSLT Registration
* Member of Relevant CEN/SIG/PPG
* Knowledge and experience of working with patients who have a learning disability to a highly specialist level including a wide range of specialist assessment tools and procedures and therapeutic interventions, as well as key policies, documents, guidelines and legislation relevant to the role
Desirable
* Basic Counselling
* Knowledge of a range of research approaches
* Understanding of principles of change management
Experience
Essential
* Extensive post registration clinical experience relevant to the post including proven caseload management, time management skills and management of change
* Experience of audit/service evaluation
* Delivering highly specialist training to a range of audiences
* Supporting less experienced staff, including SLT Associate Practitioners, and SLT Student placements, inclusive of assessment, and experience of providing second opinions to SLTs and other professionals
* Demonstrable leadership experience
Desirable
* Delivering therapy through the medium of Welsh
* Supervision/line management of SLTs
Other
Essential
* Able to work in a variety of sites based upon service need
* Have a full drivers' licence and access to a car, to travel across the county in order to undertake home visits in a timely manner, whilst transporting necessary equipment.
* Flexible approach to service needs and in responding to work pressures
Desirable
* Welsh Speaker (Level 1)
Person Specification
Qualifications & Knowledge
Essential
* Degree in Speech & Language Therapy and evidence of successful completion of training/specialist short courses up to Master's Degree or equivalent level, and relevant to area of clinical expertise
* Accredited post-basic dysphagia training with extensive experience of managing complex cases
* HCPC registration
* RCSLT Registration
* Member of Relevant CEN/SIG/PPG
* Knowledge and experience of working with patients who have a learning disability to a highly specialist level including a wide range of specialist assessment tools and procedures and therapeutic interventions, as well as key policies, documents, guidelines and legislation relevant to the role
Desirable
* Basic Counselling
* Knowledge of a range of research approaches
* Understanding of principles of change management
Experience
Essential
* Extensive post registration clinical experience relevant to the post including proven caseload management, time management skills and management of change
* Experience of audit/service evaluation
* Delivering highly specialist training to a range of audiences
* Supporting less experienced staff, including SLT Associate Practitioners, and SLT Student placements, inclusive of assessment, and experience of providing second opinions to SLTs and other professionals
* Demonstrable leadership experience
Desirable
* Delivering therapy through the medium of Welsh
* Supervision/line management of SLTs
Other
Essential
* Able to work in a variety of sites based upon service need
* Have a full drivers' licence and access to a car, to travel across the county in order to undertake home visits in a timely manner, whilst transporting necessary equipment.
* Flexible approach to service needs and in responding to work pressures
Desirable
* Welsh Speaker (Level 1)
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Hywel Dda University Health Board
Address
Pembrokeshire CTLD, Llanion House
Llanion Park
Pembroke Dock
SA72 6DY
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
Hywel Dda University Health Board
Address
Pembrokeshire CTLD, Llanion House
Llanion Park
Pembroke Dock
SA72 6DY
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)