Job overview
We have an exciting opportunity for a band 7 Speech and Language Therapist (Clinical Specialist) to join our Health and Justice Team. The post would cover two prisons in the North East of England. HMP Holme House in Stockton on Tees and HMP Deerbolt in Barnard Castle Country Durham. Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust manage the mental health service into these sites, and you would work as integral part of the multi-disciplinary Teams.
The successful postholder will be joining an innovative and supportive team of SLTs who work across prison and community justice settings and a wider SLT department with excellent CPD opportunities. You will have a positive and compassion focused attitude towards service users within the prison environment. You will have an awareness of the clinical difficulties that arise for individuals with mental health conditions and neurodiversity within secure environments and be able to lead by example. The post requires the highest standards of professional practice, and exceptional communication and relationship skills.
This post will be subject to prison vetting
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
We are looking for an experienced SLT who will thrive amongst the multi-disciplinary team of professionals to assess, plan and provide patient care. You will work within a team of Registered Mental Health and Learning Disability Nurses, Speech and Language Therapists, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Primary Care Mental Health Practitioners as well as wider partner agencies including primary care services, social care and prison colleagues.
We offer robust supervision arrangements and a comprehensive induction and workforce development plan with a vast array of personal, professional and academic training opportunities enabling you to expand your skill set and evidence-based practices.
The postholder will be required to be; innovative, flexible and able to engage clients with complex needs.
In addition to this we require the postholders to be committed to equal opportunities and non-discriminatory practices and reflect the trust values of Responsibility, Respect and Compassion.
We would encourage candidates to contact us for an informal discussion.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
This role is subject to Prison Vetting, and the successful candidate must pass this before commencing employment. This includes a thorough review of personal information, including a criminal record check (both spent and unspent), a review of financial standing, and social media checks. Please note that vetting checks may also extend to family members and associates. You must also have resided in the UK for 3 years at the point of application. This will be considered as part of the shortlisting criteria, and your application may be rejected if you do not meet these criteria.
Please refer to the attached job description for further detailed information regarding the role and main responsibilities.
All staff who join TEWV will be provided with a comprehensive induction programme.
Continuous professional development is important to TEWV. Once you are comfortable in your new role, you and your manager will work collaboratively to form a Personal Development Plan (PDP), your personal career aspirations are taken into account, and the trust will provide you with the resources you need to develop.
We invest in your training and development.
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
- Significant experience of supporting people with mental health conditions, learning disability or autism
- Significant understanding of the needs of service users with mental health conditions or learning disabilities or autism
Desirable
- Substantial knowledge of evidence- based practice in designated specialist area
- Comprehensive awareness of professional standards and their application to practice
- Experience of participating in quality improvement activities, service development, and/or project management.
- Experience of participating in clinical governance activities including clinical audit, quality assurance of practice
- Participation in research and development e.g. critical appraisal of research papers, service evaluation, small scale or large scale research.
- Highly competent in clinical supervision of staff and/or students.
- Substantial experience in design and delivery of high quality and effective training
- Substantial experience of application of relevant legislation (i.e. Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act) in practice
Qualifications/Experience
Essential
- Pre-registration qualification in speech and language therapy as recognised by HCPC
- Registration with HCPC.
- Evidence of post-registration Masters level learning
- Or in the absence of masters level learning have equivalent experience in relevant area. E.g. relevant level 7 courses, researcher role, quality improvement activity, leading service development, project management, strategic leadership, NICE involvement, service evaluation.
- And the following - Substantial clinical experience of complex speech and language therapy delivery in relevant specialist area in collaboration with service users, families and relevant others.
Desirable
- Experience of working in Multidisciplinary Team (SW essential criteria)
- Complex clinical risk assessment and application in practice
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Speech and Language Therapist- Clinical Specialist with Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust in Darlington, North East and Yorkshire, England. It is listed as a Band 7 Speech and Language Therapist role. The advertised salary is £49,387 - £56,515 per annum. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 23 Jul 2026.
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