Highly Specialist Forensic Speech & Language Therapist

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 30 April 2025

Job summary

The post holder will provide skilled communication assessment and intervention to service users in OBIS, both in the community and within forensic medium and low secure services. Dysphagia experience is welcomed but not required.

The role is divided between the community Offending Behaviour Intervention Service (OBIS) and the medium and low secure forensic services at Warren Court and 4 Bowlers Green.

OBIS offers evidence-based, multi-disciplinary interventions to improve the lives of individuals with learning disabilities who have interacted with the Criminal Justice System. The service aims to reduce offending, prevent unnecessary inpatient admissions, increase access to forensic interventions, and build community support capacity.

Hertfordshire Forensic Services include multi-disciplinary teams providing secure care and treatment for individuals with learning disabilities and mental health needs. These services encompass Warren Court (Medium Secure), Beech Unit (Low Secure for men with mental health needs), and Low Secure for men with learning disabilities. We focus on personalised care, empowering patients to reach their full potential.

Main duties of the job

Role summary:

To provide high quality, highly specialist and comprehensive Speech and Language Therapy assessment and intervention

To carry a caseload as a member of a multi-disciplinary team

To provide highly specialist advice, education and training to increase the capacity and capability of others to work with people with a learning disability and forensic history

To develop Speech and Language Therapy provision within the service with support from Professional Lead Speech and Language Therapist

To undertake supervision and leadership of junior staff and students as required

To have a key role in developing, shaping and transforming services

To deputise for the Professional Lead Speech and Language Therapist in Learning Disability services as necessary

About us

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is an outstanding organisation with ambitions to match. We are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from the Care Quality Commission, and our aim is to be the leading provider of mental health and specialist learning disability services in the country.

Our family of over 4000 members of staff provide health and social care for over 400,000 people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. We also deliver a range of nationally commissioned specialist services including Tier 4 services for children and young people, perinatal services, plus medium and low secure learning disabilities services.

The care we provide makes a fantastic difference to the lives of our service users, their families and carers - everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:

Our Trust values are:

Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.

These values are at the core of who we are, everything we do, and how we do it!

Would you like to be part of the HPFT family? Would you like work with us to ensure our service users live the fullest lives possible they can? Would you like to be supported in your career to be the best that you can be?

Date posted

16 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£48,270 to £54,931 a year per annum, pro rata (Inclusive of 5% HCAS)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

367-LD&F-9317

Job locations

Kingsley Green

Harper Lane

Radlett

WD7 9HQ

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder will primarily provide highly skilled communication assessment and intervention to service users open to OBIS in the community or admitted to our forensic medium and low secure services. Dysphagia experience is welcome but not essential.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/TRAINING

Essential

Degree in Speech and Language Therapy
State registration with HCPC
Member of the RCSLT
Evidence of continuing professional development
Post graduate training in Learning Disabilities, Challenging behaviour and/ or Mental Health

Desirable

Post graduate training in Dysphagia
Leadership Training/ Qualification

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

Essential

Specialist knowledge and application of speech and language therapy assessments and interventions
Detailed knowledge of evidence based practice and its contribution to practice governance
Extensive clinical experience and ability to demonstrate application of advanced clinical skills
Ability to facilitate therapist, generic technician and student development through effective supervision
Planning and coordination of treatment packages
Leadership and first line management experience
Participation in research projects and audit

Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/TRAINING

Essential

Degree in Speech and Language Therapy
State registration with HCPC
Member of the RCSLT
Evidence of continuing professional development
Post graduate training in Learning Disabilities, Challenging behaviour and/ or Mental Health

Desirable

Post graduate training in Dysphagia
Leadership Training/ Qualification

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

Essential

Specialist knowledge and application of speech and language therapy assessments and interventions
Detailed knowledge of evidence based practice and its contribution to practice governance
Extensive clinical experience and ability to demonstrate application of advanced clinical skills
Ability to facilitate therapist, generic technician and student development through effective supervision
Planning and coordination of treatment packages
Leadership and first line management experience
Participation in research projects and audit

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).