Speech and Language Therapist

South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

This is an exciting and unique opportunity to join the newly developed Forensic Intellectual and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (FIND) Community Team in South West London & St George's Mental Health Trust. The forensic service sits within the Specialist Service Line of the Trust and is a provider within the South London Mental Health and Community Partnership (SLP) Forensic Provider Collaborative (PC).

The SLP Forensic PC's overarching goals centre on bringing care closer to home, improving patient pathways and outcomes by delivering excellent care in better environments. The SLP has a track record of delivering highly effective, clinically informed service developments across the Pathways within the Forensic PC. The post holder will be joining a skilled, motivated and innovative multidisciplinary team committed to continual learning and development and will be offered excellent CPD opportunities.

This speech and language therapy (SLT) role will sit within the FIND multi-disciplinary team, the postholder will access professional support and development from the B7 SLT working on the linked inpatient ward for people with intellectual disabilities. The postholder will work with those with speech, language and communication difficulties and/or dysphagia.

Main duties of the job

To deliver highly specialist clinical work as part of the multidisciplinary team. This includes working with clients with communication and swallowing difficulties / providing a specialist dysphagia service, for individuals within the Forensic intellectual and neurodevelopmental (FIND) team Working closely with AHP Lead , professional Lead and senior management team to scope the needs of the SLT service for this service .

The team will support in facilitating discharge planning of South West London patients from the Oak Unit and from Independent Sector secure services by enabling direct transfer to the FIND community caseload. Aside from the quality-of-life benefits of timely transfer to community settings closer to home, this close working at the interface with secure inpatient facilities, will also enable effective flow through the pathway. The FIND Community Team will sit alongside the two well stablished forensic community teams, namely the South West London & St George's Community Forensic Team (the Forensic Outreach Service)

About us

We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.

We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good' - we aspire to be 'outstanding'.

This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services.

We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.

We offer flexible working, career development and a variety ofbenefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive.

Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.

About our location:

Springfield University Hospital, Tooting

Date posted

14 January 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£44,806 to £53,134 a year pro rata per annum inclusive of inner London HCAS

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

294-FASP-6759824-JB-B

Job locations

Springfield University Hospital

15 Springfield Drive

London

SW17 0YF


Job description

Job responsibilities

To be responsible for the delivery of Speech and Language Therapy witiin the FIND team providing assessment and implementing specialist SLT treatment and programmes of care, writing reports, reflecting specialist knowledge.

To manage, triage and prioritize own complex caseload providing a 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 contribute to the assessment of people with complex mental health needs, LD needs or ASD needs within the service using a range of standardized and non-standardized assessments and other assessment tools, together with advanced analytical clinical reasoning skills in order to form a baseline measure from which to plan intervention.

To demonstrate acute observational skills in working with clients with complex mental health conditions and histories of trauma 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 contribute to 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 a history of offending behaviour and/or serious mental health conditions, and be aware of the needs, demands and pressures on their relatives and carers

To work safely at all times, with an understanding of the risks for self and clients when handling foods and fluids

To work within infection control and health and safety guidelines in order to deal appropriately with unpleasant conditions related to client contact when they arise (e.g. exposure to body fluids and/or infectious conditions encountered on a regular basis)to refer patients/clients for further investigation and/or second opinion as required

Maintain adequate records of assessment, management and treatment of patients/clients as well as writing and submitting reports summarising proposed care plans in keeping with Professional and Trust standards

Job description

Job responsibilities

To be responsible for the delivery of Speech and Language Therapy witiin the FIND team providing assessment and implementing specialist SLT treatment and programmes of care, writing reports, reflecting specialist knowledge.

To manage, triage and prioritize own complex caseload providing a 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 contribute to the assessment of people with complex mental health needs, LD needs or ASD needs within the service using a range of standardized and non-standardized assessments and other assessment tools, together with advanced analytical clinical reasoning skills in order to form a baseline measure from which to plan intervention.

To demonstrate acute observational skills in working with clients with complex mental health conditions and histories of trauma 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 contribute to 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 a history of offending behaviour and/or serious mental health conditions, and be aware of the needs, demands and pressures on their relatives and carers

To work safely at all times, with an understanding of the risks for self and clients when handling foods and fluids

To work within infection control and health and safety guidelines in order to deal appropriately with unpleasant conditions related to client contact when they arise (e.g. exposure to body fluids and/or infectious conditions encountered on a regular basis)to refer patients/clients for further investigation and/or second opinion as required

Maintain adequate records of assessment, management and treatment of patients/clients as well as writing and submitting reports summarising proposed care plans in keeping with Professional and Trust standards

Person Specification

Training and Qualifications

Essential

  • 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
  • Completed dysphagia training course to at least Intermediate level

Desirable

  • Evidence of relevant training in dysphagia

Experience

Essential

  • 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 working with support workers

Desirable

  • Training in management and/or leadership skills Experience of supervising other SALTs Supervision of students
  • Experience of managing clients with dysphagia needs.

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

  • Knowledge of management and treatment of communication difficulties in individuals with serious mental health conditions
  • To be competent in handling the mental, emotional and psycho-social aspects of working with service users who present risks to others
  • To be 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
  • Ability to teach specific SLT treatment packages, and theory to patients / carers / professionals/ others
  • Ability to facilitate learning in others
  • Drive and enthusiasm for clinical excellence using EBP and clinical networks
  • Competent IT skills e.g. word as well as SLT specific applications such as Boardmaker
  • Excellent written and spoken communication

Desirable

  • knowledge of management and treatment of dysphagia in individuals with serious mental health conditions
Person Specification

Training and Qualifications

Essential

  • 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
  • Completed dysphagia training course to at least Intermediate level

Desirable

  • Evidence of relevant training in dysphagia

Experience

Essential

  • 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 working with support workers

Desirable

  • Training in management and/or leadership skills Experience of supervising other SALTs Supervision of students
  • Experience of managing clients with dysphagia needs.

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

  • Knowledge of management and treatment of communication difficulties in individuals with serious mental health conditions
  • To be competent in handling the mental, emotional and psycho-social aspects of working with service users who present risks to others
  • To be 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
  • Ability to teach specific SLT treatment packages, and theory to patients / carers / professionals/ others
  • Ability to facilitate learning in others
  • Drive and enthusiasm for clinical excellence using EBP and clinical networks
  • Competent IT skills e.g. word as well as SLT specific applications such as Boardmaker
  • Excellent written and spoken communication

Desirable

  • knowledge of management and treatment of dysphagia in individuals with serious mental health conditions

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

South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust

Address

Springfield University Hospital

15 Springfield Drive

London

SW17 0YF


Employer's website

https://www.swlstg.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust

Address

Springfield University Hospital

15 Springfield Drive

London

SW17 0YF


Employer's website

https://www.swlstg.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


For questions about the job, contact:

Head of Therapies

Helen Miles

Helen.Miles@swlstg.nhs.uk

02035136468

Date posted

14 January 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£44,806 to £53,134 a year pro rata per annum inclusive of inner London HCAS

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

294-FASP-6759824-JB-B

Job locations

Springfield University Hospital

15 Springfield Drive

London

SW17 0YF


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)