Job summary
Are you a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist who shares our vision to work within our acute care pathway, specifically in our inpatient CAMHS service?
The Inpatient CAMHS service comprises of Pebble Lodge- a 10-bed that provides inpatient care for young people whose care needs are best met in a hospital setting, and a purpose build CAMHS High Intensity Environment, which is due to open early 2026.
In Dorset, we are transforming our child and adolescent mental health service into a Family Mental Health model that embraces and adopts the Thrive framework. The inpatient service falls within the Getting More Help and Getting Risk Support quadrants of Thrive.
You will be responsible for planning, developing and co-ordinating a speech and language therapy service to children including those who have Speech, Language and Communication needs.
We aspire to offer families a service that is built on compassion, social connection, and participation with our peers and parent peers, and a service that is understanding of the need to work in partnership with the wider network of education, social care and 3rd sector services in order to deliver support for families based on their needs.
This is a part time post of 18.75 hours, you will be based within the inpatient CAMHS team, providing a Speech and Language Therapy service to the young people on the wards and to their families, the staff and the partner agencies.
Main duties of the job
As a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist it involves identification at highly specialist level of the type of communication disorder found in this client group and the provision of a menu of appropriate interventions, including individual and group programmes to the young people and their staff.
You will work closely with staff to facilitate their communication skills with this client group.
As part of this work you will undertake the training of staff and staff in partner agencies to raise awareness of the types of communication difficulties faced by young people and strategies to facilitate their communication.
You will provide information to the service lead and relevant management and strategic groups.
About us
At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.
We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.
Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.
Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.
As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contactdhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net
Job description
Job responsibilities
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.
As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contactdhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net
Person Specification
Knowledge, skills and training
Essential
- Registered practitioner to degree/diploma level supplemented by minimum PG dip (120 credits) at level 7 or working towards in a relevant subject, or demonstrable extensive experience in the relevant specialty
- Membership of the relevant Professional Body
- Evidence of recent professional development in an up-to-date portfolio
Job specific experience
Essential
- Recent experience at Band 6 level
- Able to demonstrate specialist expertise and knowledge underpinned by theory acquired through CPD in relation to clinical assessment, treatment and evaluation.
- Able to actively research for the potential to improve quality and customer care, seeking new ideas and methods to improve health care.
- Evidence of involvement in the development of programmes of care, protocols and audit.
Managerial/Supervisory
Essential
- Evidence of proactive involvement in the supervision and development of members of the multi-disciplinary team.
- Evidence of delivering education and training in practice.
Personal skills
Essential
- Able to analyse and assess situations and to interpret potentially conflicting situations and determine appropriate action, where there is a range of options and judgement is required.
- Experience of planning and organising complex activities requiring the formulation and adjustment of plans .e.g. organising own time, co-ordination with other agencies and plans for sudden, unforeseen circumstances.
Person Specification
Knowledge, skills and training
Essential
- Registered practitioner to degree/diploma level supplemented by minimum PG dip (120 credits) at level 7 or working towards in a relevant subject, or demonstrable extensive experience in the relevant specialty
- Membership of the relevant Professional Body
- Evidence of recent professional development in an up-to-date portfolio
Job specific experience
Essential
- Recent experience at Band 6 level
- Able to demonstrate specialist expertise and knowledge underpinned by theory acquired through CPD in relation to clinical assessment, treatment and evaluation.
- Able to actively research for the potential to improve quality and customer care, seeking new ideas and methods to improve health care.
- Evidence of involvement in the development of programmes of care, protocols and audit.
Managerial/Supervisory
Essential
- Evidence of proactive involvement in the supervision and development of members of the multi-disciplinary team.
- Evidence of delivering education and training in practice.
Personal skills
Essential
- Able to analyse and assess situations and to interpret potentially conflicting situations and determine appropriate action, where there is a range of options and judgement is required.
- Experience of planning and organising complex activities requiring the formulation and adjustment of plans .e.g. organising own time, co-ordination with other agencies and plans for sudden, unforeseen circumstances.
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.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
