Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

Speech & Language Therapy Associate Practitioner

The closing date is 28 May 2025

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for a Band 4 Associate Practitioner - Fixed term - 12 months to join the Speech and Language Therapy service within Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust. The successful candidate will work into the ALD (Adult Learning Disabilities) North Tees Team which provides specialist health services to adults with a diagnosed learning disability across the Stockton and Hartlepool localities, and may also include providing cover across the Tees Valley ALD Community Services.

Applicants must ensure that prior to applying they have agreement from their current line manager that they can be released on a secondment basis. In the event that permanent funding is secured for this post the successful applicant will be confirmed in post on a permanent basis.

Main duties of the job

The SLT service works with service users with a range with communication and chewing and swallowing difficulties.

Duties of this post will include: making therapy resources and materials, carrying out communication and dysphagia screenings and reviews, updating personalised meal mats and communication passports, delivering one-to-one and group therapy (under the guidance of qualified therapists), assisting with delivering carer training packages, maintaining their own clinical records and carrying out administrative duties (e.g. taking telephone messages, allocating referrals, updating spreadsheets, preparing case note files, photocopying and filing).

About us

There will be access to regular one-to-one clinical supervision from a qualified therapist and the opportunity to attend trust wide SLT CPD meetings and training.

Due to the nature of the role it is essential that applicants are able to travel independently across the locality and have access to a suitable vehicle for business purposes. If necessary, adjustments can be considered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

Details

Date posted

14 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£26,530 to £29,114 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

346-TSL-015-25-A

Job locations

ALD North Tees Community Team

Wessex House, 32 Falcon Court, Preston Farm

Stockton on Tees

TS18 3TX


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description for further detailed information regarding the role, qualifications and main responsibilities.

Additional contact details :- Anne Shanks (Community Team Manager)

Tel: 01642 368555 - Email: anneshanks@nhs.net

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description for further detailed information regarding the role, qualifications and main responsibilities.

Additional contact details :- Anne Shanks (Community Team Manager)

Tel: 01642 368555 - Email: anneshanks@nhs.net

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Numeracy, Literacy and ITQ level 2 (or equivalent)
  • NB: At least one of the qualifications below should be a no less than Level 4 qualification; if you have a level 4 or above in a clinical / health care qualification / equivalent experience, and level 3 qualification in the relevant specific skills/knowledge base area, there will be an expectation to increase your qualifications in the skills based area to a level 4 once in post
  • Clinical/health care qualification Either: Minimum of level 3 qualification or equivalent in healthcare related subject e.g. A level Certificate of higher education BTEC professional award, certificate and diploma Access to health and social care Foundation degree HNC
  • Or Equivalent experience of working in a relevant health and/or social care setting. (Individual can demonstrate considerable understanding of the needs of and issues encountered by those with mental health difficulties or learning disabilities, and demonstrable application of this in practice, helping them to reach their potential.)
  • And Specific qualification relating to area of specialism within the role e.g. art, nutrition, fitness, communication, woodwork
  • Minimum of level 3 relevant qualification or above NVQ3 Certificate of higher education BTEC professional award, certificate and diploma Access to health and social care Foundation degree HNC

Desirable

  • Successful completion of short courses e.g. Makaton, Intensive Interaction
  • Certificate in Food Hygiene (or willingness to undertake within agreed timescale)
  • Level 4 or above qualification in relevant healthcare related subject
  • Evidence of additional relevant qualifications to role
  • Level 4 or above qualification in specialist area

Experience

Essential

  • Previous experience working as a SLT assistant or closely related work e.g. nursing/care or AHP assistant
  • Experience of supporting people with mental health conditions or learning disabilities.

Skills

Essential

  • Ability to communicate information (verbal and written) effectively in a manner appropriate to the individual and situation
  • o Good observational skills and ability to describe such observations verbally and in writing.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Numeracy, Literacy and ITQ level 2 (or equivalent)
  • NB: At least one of the qualifications below should be a no less than Level 4 qualification; if you have a level 4 or above in a clinical / health care qualification / equivalent experience, and level 3 qualification in the relevant specific skills/knowledge base area, there will be an expectation to increase your qualifications in the skills based area to a level 4 once in post
  • Clinical/health care qualification Either: Minimum of level 3 qualification or equivalent in healthcare related subject e.g. A level Certificate of higher education BTEC professional award, certificate and diploma Access to health and social care Foundation degree HNC
  • Or Equivalent experience of working in a relevant health and/or social care setting. (Individual can demonstrate considerable understanding of the needs of and issues encountered by those with mental health difficulties or learning disabilities, and demonstrable application of this in practice, helping them to reach their potential.)
  • And Specific qualification relating to area of specialism within the role e.g. art, nutrition, fitness, communication, woodwork
  • Minimum of level 3 relevant qualification or above NVQ3 Certificate of higher education BTEC professional award, certificate and diploma Access to health and social care Foundation degree HNC

Desirable

  • Successful completion of short courses e.g. Makaton, Intensive Interaction
  • Certificate in Food Hygiene (or willingness to undertake within agreed timescale)
  • Level 4 or above qualification in relevant healthcare related subject
  • Evidence of additional relevant qualifications to role
  • Level 4 or above qualification in specialist area

Experience

Essential

  • Previous experience working as a SLT assistant or closely related work e.g. nursing/care or AHP assistant
  • Experience of supporting people with mental health conditions or learning disabilities.

Skills

Essential

  • Ability to communicate information (verbal and written) effectively in a manner appropriate to the individual and situation
  • o Good observational skills and ability to describe such observations verbally and in writing.

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).

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

Address

ALD North Tees Community Team

Wessex House, 32 Falcon Court, Preston Farm

Stockton on Tees

TS18 3TX


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

Address

ALD North Tees Community Team

Wessex House, 32 Falcon Court, Preston Farm

Stockton on Tees

TS18 3TX


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Clinical Lead SLT

Erika Evans

erikaevans@nhs.net

07393760874

Details

Date posted

14 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£26,530 to £29,114 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

346-TSL-015-25-A

Job locations

ALD North Tees Community Team

Wessex House, 32 Falcon Court, Preston Farm

Stockton on Tees

TS18 3TX


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)