Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust logo

Specialist Speech and Language Therapist


Location
Darlington, England
Salary
£39,959 - £48,117 pro rata, per annum
Profession
Speech and Language Therapist
Grade
Band 6
Deadline
05 Aug 2026
Contract Type
Permanent
Posted Date
22 Jul 2026
Medical Protection — the side of locally employed doctors from £83

Job overview

Are you seeking a new challenge and a unique opportunity to develop your career in Speech and Language Therapy (SLT)?  If so, then this post would be an excellent opportunity for you!  We are looking for a dynamic, passionate and proactive individual with excellent communication skills to join our inpatient wards.

This role requires a highly skilled and knowledgeable team-player who is able to think holistically and creatively in order to deliver intensive support and expertise.  This is your chance to make a real difference to people who are experiencing acute mental health problems and associated distress.

The post holder should be committed to the provision of high quality, evidence-based practice and excited by the opportunity to represent SLT in this post and service.

This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. However, sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements, therefore, we recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position. Visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant will be expected to carry out clinical work as part of the multi-disciplinary team, providing specialist assessment to inpatients within our Adult Mental Health urgent care service. You will be professionally accountable for your own caseload, providing clinical supervision to speech and language therapy staff and students.

This collaborative, multi-disciplinary service provides access to specialist Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Dietetics, and psychological support to deliver ‘high intensity interventions’ following a structured assessment of the person, their wellbeing and Behaviour Support Plans. You will have a key role in facilitating others within the team to develop their own skills by providing clinical leadership and specialist clinical advice on more complex cases.

The post holder will assess and treat communication difficulties and eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties and contribute to policy development, audit, research activities, pathway development, staff and student training. The diversity of the caseload will enable you to fine tune and specialise further in the field of mental health, whilst also incorporating complex physical health comorbidities.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Applicants for the post will hold a suitable qualification in Speech and Language Therapy, have relevant experience in this clinical field and have a particular interest and enthusiasm for delivering excellent services, collaborative working and championing SLT.

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.

For informal discussion please contact:

Sam Bradley, Professional Head of Speech and Language  Therapy

[email protected]

James Donegan, Service Manager

[email protected]

This job advert may close early if a high volume of applications have been received. If interested, please apply for this post as soon as possible.

Person specification

Knowledge

Essential

  • Understanding of the needs of service users with mental health conditions or learning disabilities.

Desirable

  • Clinical risk assessment and application in practice
  • Knowledge of evidence- based practice in designated specialist area
  • Post graduate training in specialist area if applicable to post (e.g. dysphagia, autism diagnostics)
  • Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team
  • Experience of managing complex Speech and Language Therapy cases
  • Awareness of professional standards and its application to practice

Experience

Essential

  • Minimum 18 months post qualifying experience of Speech and Language Therapy delivery

Desirable

  • Experience of supporting people with mental health issues, learning disability or autism
  • Experience of working in Multidisciplinary Team (SW essential criteria)

Qualifications

Essential

  • Appropriate professional qualification in Speech and Language Therapy role
  • Current relevant registration with specific regulatory body

Desirable

  • Post graduate training in relevant specialist area

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Applying for this NHS job

This advert is for Specialist Speech and Language Therapist with Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust in Darlington, North East and Yorkshire, England. It is listed as a Band 6 Speech and Language Therapist role. The advertised salary is £39,959 - £48,117 pro rata, per annum. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 05 Aug 2026.

Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (22 Jul 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.

For more context, review related Job Clerk pages for the same profession, band or location where they exist, then use the application-support guides to tailor your statement and prepare for interview.