Job summary
As a Band 7 Speech and Language Therapist in the Intensive Support Team, you will play a key role in providing specialized speech and language therapy services to individuals with learning disabilities and or autism who are experiencing crisis situations. Your primary responsibility will be to deliver intensive community-based support, aiming to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions and facilitate the individual's well-being and recovery within their familiar environment.
Conduct comprehensive assessments of individuals' communication abilities, including speech, language, and social communication skills. This involves gathering relevant information, such as case history, previous assessments, medical records, and input from other professionals and individuals' families or caregivers.
Utilize standardized assessment tools and clinical observations to identify specific areas of difficulty and provide accurate diagnosis. The postholder is expected to be able to select and administer appropriate assessments based on the individual's age, developmental stage, and specific communication concerns.
Main duties of the job
Assessing Swallowing and Feeding Skills: In some cases, the post holder will also assess swallowing and feeding abilities. This involves evaluating an individual's oral motor skills, swallowing coordination, and safety during eating and drinking. Various clinical tools, observations, and, if necessary, instrumental assessments like video fluoroscopy may be used. The postholder will be expected to train and develop in assessment competencies should this be required for effective service delivery.
Providing Diagnostic Reports: The postholder will be responsible for documenting and communicating and swallowing assessment results in clear and concise diagnostic reports. These reports outline the individual's communication and swallowing strengths, areas of difficulty, diagnosis or classification, and recommendations for intervention or further assessment as needed.
Collaborating and Sharing Findings: The postholder will collaborate with other professionals involved in the individual's care, such as GPs, Consultants, nurses, psychologists, educators, or occupational therapists - sharing assessment findings and contributing to multidisciplinary discussions to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the individual's needs and facilitate appropriate intervention planning, initiating referrals as required.
About us
Our Values 2025 - 2030
Working with our colleagues, patients and carers we have co-produced three new values that we aim to embed within our culture here at NELFT.
They are:
- We are kind.
- We are respectful.
- We work together with our communities.
These three values help us tostrive to provide the best care by the best people.
Probationary Period
This post will be subject to a probationary period.
Starting with Us
NELFT places great importance on new starters being properly welcomed into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks, including mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process, new starters will also have the opportunity to meet the executive team, senior managers, and attend several drop-in sessions focusing on engagement, health and wellbeing, and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.
High Cost Area Supplement - Outer London
This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (with a minimum of £4,714 to a maximum of £5,941 p.a. pro rata for part time).
Job description
Job responsibilities
Ensuring Ethical and Cultural Considerations: Throughout the assessment process, the postholder will adhere to professional ethics and consider cultural factors that may influence an individual's communication. The postholder is expected to respect individuals' rights, maintain confidentiality, and ensure assessments are culturally sensitive and appropriate for diverse populations.
Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role and working at North East London NHS Foundation Trust. We encourage you to refer to this when completing your application.
We welcome your application even if you do not meet all the criteria listed in the person specification. Please apply as soon as possible as some posts close early to limit the number of applications.
Certificates of Sponsorship
Although we are a registered sponsor organisation, we are unable to offer sponsorship for all job roles. Please check your eligibility under the UKVI points-based system. When calculating the basic salary for sponsorship, HCAS (High-Cost Area Supplement) is not included to ensure fairness and consistency within our Trust.
Use of AI
Please see attached document regarding acceptable use of AI during the recruitment process.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Ensuring Ethical and Cultural Considerations: Throughout the assessment process, the postholder will adhere to professional ethics and consider cultural factors that may influence an individual's communication. The postholder is expected to respect individuals' rights, maintain confidentiality, and ensure assessments are culturally sensitive and appropriate for diverse populations.
Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role and working at North East London NHS Foundation Trust. We encourage you to refer to this when completing your application.
We welcome your application even if you do not meet all the criteria listed in the person specification. Please apply as soon as possible as some posts close early to limit the number of applications.
Certificates of Sponsorship
Although we are a registered sponsor organisation, we are unable to offer sponsorship for all job roles. Please check your eligibility under the UKVI points-based system. When calculating the basic salary for sponsorship, HCAS (High-Cost Area Supplement) is not included to ensure fairness and consistency within our Trust.
Use of AI
Please see attached document regarding acceptable use of AI during the recruitment process.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ level 2 or equivalent standard of literacy and numeracy
- Recognized Speech and Language Therapy degree qualification or equivalent
- Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Desirable
- Evidence of successful completion of relevant specialist Post Graduate courses e.g. Management of Dysphagia
- Demonstrate full adherence to nationally agreed competencies and experience in assessment and management of Dysphagia
Experience
Essential
- An ability to communicate difficult information with sensitivity, empathy and reassurance.
- Experience in the usage of a range of AAC and communication approaches including visual and non -verbal systems
- Experience of providing training and/or making presentations to other professionals
Desirable
- Experience of working with adults with Learning Disabilities including a wide range of complex communication needs and Dysphagia since qualification.
- Ability to assess and manage crisis situations, employing appropriate therapeutic techniques and behavioural management strategies.
- Strong collaboration and communication skills to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team and engage with individuals, families, and support networks.
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of learning disability populations including autism presentations, inpatient/acute SLT and of evidence based SLT treatments
- Knowledge of Safeguarding Adults procedures and processes
- An awareness of NHS Plan, NSF and clinical governance priorities
Desirable
- Knowledge of national policies and procedures relevant to the specialist client group
- Familiarity with NELFT services and borough-specific pathways
- Knowledge of person - cantered care principles and the ability to develop and implement individualized care plans.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ level 2 or equivalent standard of literacy and numeracy
- Recognized Speech and Language Therapy degree qualification or equivalent
- Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Desirable
- Evidence of successful completion of relevant specialist Post Graduate courses e.g. Management of Dysphagia
- Demonstrate full adherence to nationally agreed competencies and experience in assessment and management of Dysphagia
Experience
Essential
- An ability to communicate difficult information with sensitivity, empathy and reassurance.
- Experience in the usage of a range of AAC and communication approaches including visual and non -verbal systems
- Experience of providing training and/or making presentations to other professionals
Desirable
- Experience of working with adults with Learning Disabilities including a wide range of complex communication needs and Dysphagia since qualification.
- Ability to assess and manage crisis situations, employing appropriate therapeutic techniques and behavioural management strategies.
- Strong collaboration and communication skills to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team and engage with individuals, families, and support networks.
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of learning disability populations including autism presentations, inpatient/acute SLT and of evidence based SLT treatments
- Knowledge of Safeguarding Adults procedures and processes
- An awareness of NHS Plan, NSF and clinical governance priorities
Desirable
- Knowledge of national policies and procedures relevant to the specialist client group
- Familiarity with NELFT services and borough-specific pathways
- Knowledge of person - cantered care principles and the ability to develop and implement individualized care plans.
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.
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.
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).
