Specialist Speech & Language Therapist

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for a full-time Speech & Language Therapist to join the Kirklees Intensive Support Team (IST), providing support to people who live in Kirklees.

The primary function of the IST is to provide intensive assessment, formulation, and intervention within a Positive Behavioral Support Model to a cohort of our most complex service users with behaviours that challenge and mental health needs. In turn reducing the risk of hospital admission/placement breakdown/contact with the Criminal Justice Service.

The successful applicant will work in the services IST, which works proactively and intensively with a small number of service users, aiming to reduce hospital admissions and placement breakdowns. The post holder will support the wider community team as required to ensure we provide a safe and equitable service to all people with a Learning Disability across Kirklees.

We are looking for a confident, motivated, and enthusiastic Speech and Language Therapist to provide the highest standards of safe and compassionate planned care.

The work will be undertaken in a variety of settings, including private and local authority day placements, residential homes, community setting and inpatient units.

We are dedicated to the personal and professional development of our staff through management supervision, Clinical supervision from a band 7 highly specialist speech and language therapist.

Main duties of the job

You will be a highly motivated and conscientious individual, who has the desire to work creatively with people with learning disabilities.

Experience supporting people in a variety of activities and community settings would be an advantage. Ability to work independently and within a group setting is essential, working alongside the multidisciplinary team, in service users homes, day services, respite facilities, and supported living environments.

The role will involve working closely with the IST MDT clinicians to provide an intensive, wrap-around service to help improve the outcomes for the service users. You will be required to use your speech and language therapy skills to support the assessment and delivery of high-quality therapeutic interventions to address the holistic needs of service users with a focus on communication and dysphagia. This will involve assessment and reports to feed into Positive Behavioral Support plans/interventions, liaison with families and support staff to implement communication interventions, and participation in meetings to help facilitate the co-ordination of cases.

The core hours of the team are 09:00-17:00, Monday to Friday, although all members of the IST are expected to provide support outside these hours on occasion, according to clinical need.

For further information or to arrange a visit to the team please contact Andrew Birkenshaw on 01924 316 714

About us

We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.

We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Being a foundation Trust means were accountable to our members, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust.

Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Details

• Date posted: 19 August 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 5
• Salary: £32,073 to £48,117 a year Band 5 -6 dependant on experience
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
• Reference number: C9378-CK2536
• Job locations: 8 Fox View Hub, Dewsbury District Hospital, Off Halifax Road, Dewsbury, WF13 4AD, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

Band 5 -

JOB SUMMARY

The post holder will be required to work as an integral part of the multi-disciplinary team, providing SLT assessment and treatment for service users in receipt of care from community services. Enabling service users to engage in a range of community based treatment activities. You will be actively involved in the promotion of SLT within the service area. The post holder will be required to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service and the client group.

KEY RESULT AREAS:

Clinical

To provide clinical advice on the assessment, diagnosis and management of speech, language and communication difficulties and where applicable, swallowing difficulties, with a range of clients, including those with complex needs and to develop a clinical interest within the context of the caseload

To manage a caseload independently with regular supervision and to prepare, implement and evaluate communication programmes and advice for clients to ensure the delivery of designated standards of care consistent with service policy and RCSLT guidelines

To demonstrate sound clinical judgment, including negotiation, differential diagnosis, reflection, evaluation and the development of care plans. Clinical practice should be framed with reference to evidence based practice, having access to a supervisor, showing a recognition of own professional boundaries and the need for supervision, support and advice

To monitor, evaluate and modify treatment in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.

To adopt a client centred and sensitive approach to therapy, collaborating with clients (and / or carer(s) where appropriate) in all aspects of the therapy process.

To work proactively alongside other staff and clients in meeting their needs and to assist each individual to integrate with the local community as fully as possible, using practical and creative problem solving approaches to gain the active participation of services users.

To provide SLT reports on assessment and treatment by written and verbal reports to Consultants, GPs and other agencies involved, and to ensure that all correspondence relating to caseload is dealt with promptly.

To provide SLT perspective in multi-disciplinary team meetings, ward rounds, clinics and case conferences as required.

To ensure that up to date records and activity data are maintained in accordance with professional and Trust standards and policies.

Band 6-

The post holder will be required to work as an integral member of the multi-disciplinary team, providing specialist speech and language therapry assessment and treatment for service users in receipt of care from community services. Enabling service users to engage in a range of individual and group community based treatment activities. You will be actively involved in the promotion of Salt and Language therapy within the service area. The post holder will be required to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service and the client group.

The post holder will contribute to the leadership and development of the Specialist Learning Disability Health Team in accordance within local and national guidance.

1. Clinical

1.1. To undertake specific standardised and non-standardised assessments to formulate effective treatment plans in conjunction with the service user, family and carer.

1.2. Formulate and deliver individual treatment programmes based on specialist knowledge for differential diagnosis for communication and dysphagia, (evidence based practise, national and local guidelines using profession specific clinical skills and techniques. (eg standardised assessments, AAC, group and individual work)

1.3. To interpret the assessment results in order to plan and implement a client centred speech and language therapy treatment programme on an individual and/or group basis to achieve therapeutic goals.

1.4. To ensure therapeutic interventions are of a high professional standard, informed by evidence based practice and involves the service user and carer in all aspects of the care programme.

1.4. To demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the effect of disability providing training and advice on lifestyle changes/adaptations to the clients social and physical environments.

1.5. To act as the care programme co-ordinator as required and to offer carers an assessment and care plan where appropriate.

1.6. To contribute to a co-ordinated team approach throughout the assessment and in meeting the service users needs including developing and maintaining close working relationships with all relevant services, and agencies within the voluntary sector.

1.7. To regularly evaluate the effectiveness of group and individual speech and language therapy interventions by undertaking specific audits and using outcome measures such as standardised / other relevant assessments and service user satisfaction questionnaires.

1.8. To continue treatment interventions where necessary to assist in the transition of skills from an inpatient setting to living independently within the community.

1.9. To work effectively within the multi-agency team ensuring that both written and verbal communication is clearly maintained to ensure a seamless service.

1.10. To be responsible for the maintenance of appropriate clinical records concerned with service user treatment, in accordance with risk management documentation guidelines.

1.11. To arrange/attend appropriate clinical team meetings, referral meetings, case conferences, care programme approach meetings and any other as required by clinical need and as directed by the Lead AHP.

1.12. To provide accurate and timely reports, statistical data through the electronic recording system and other information as required.

1.13. To participate in monthly clinical and managerial supervision and to provide clinical supervision to other speech and language staff.

1.14 To work as an autonomous practitioner.

For full job description, please see attached supporting documents.

We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. Over reliance on AI-generated content in application forms is strongly discouraged and we will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.

At the time of advertising, this role does meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. We look forward to receiving your application.

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to have their up-to-date flu vaccination to protect staff and patients.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).