Job overview
Please note - this post is fixed term until 31st March 2028
Are you a dysphagia competent, highly skilled HCPC Registered Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) ready to take the next step in your career? We are excited to offer a Band 6 Specialist SLT opportunity on the adult inpatient mental health wards at Redwoods Centre, Shrewsbury.
Previous formal mental health experience is not essential but seeking clinicians who demonstrate a strong interest in mental health to undertake this unique opportunity to specialise and deepen knowledge, skills, and experience in this area.
You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide specialist Speech & Language Therapy assessment, diagnosis and treatment to adults and older adults with communication and dysphagia needs on adult inpatient mental health wards.
This role is new with our mental health services and offers a significant opportunity for you to contribute to service development and pathway design within this service.
We value compassionate care, innovation, and professional growth and offer excellent opportunities for Continuing Professional Development. You’ll become part of an extremely friendly and supportive SLT team with strong Allied Health Professional (AHP) links connecting you to our valued AHP network of colleagues across the Trust and you will be well supported by our leadership teams through regular supervision.
This is a 30 hour a week role and is fixed term until end of March 2028.
Main duties of the job
Resilience is key, as it is a challenging yet highly rewarding role. As a specialist Band 6 SLT on our inpatient mental health wards, you will be expected to:
- Deliver expert assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for mental health inpatient adults/older adults with communication and dysphagia needs.
- Manage a complex caseload autonomously, often working without direct supervision (but with regular access to B7 & B6 peer SLT support).
- Work collaboratively within a specialist mental health multidisciplinary team to support holistic patient centred care and recovery.
- Provide supervision and training to junior staff and contribute to SLT service development where appropriate.
- Use evidence-based approaches and specialist tools (e.g. AAC).
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. If it is identified that you require sponsorship to undertake this role your application may be withdrawn
For full details of this role, please see attached the attached job description and person specification. Please note the job description is currently going through the Agenda for Change process and may be subject to change.
Check out the videos below showcasing why you should grow your career here with us at MPFT:
Why Work for Mental Health Services at MPFT - YouTube or copy and paste into browser to watch https://bit.ly/4buATxw
Development and Progression Within Mental Health Services at MPFT - YouTube or copy and paste into browser to watch https://bit.ly/44KxWXs
MPFT - Adult Mental Health Services South Staffs - YouTube or copy and paste into browser to watch https://bit.ly/3K3B7ju
If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact in mental health care through specialist SLT practice, we’d love to hear from you. We welcome informal visits/enquiries. We are also open to Band 5 to 6 development options if essential criteria are met. If you would like to find out more or chat further about this opportunity, please do contact us.
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Person specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience with autonomous assessment and management of adults with communication difficulties (e.g. LD, dementia, neurodivergence).
- Experience working with patients with complex mental health needs.
- Experience with autonomous assessment and management of a wide range of dysphagia presentations.
- Experience as qualified practitioner in more than one area of the profession in which they practise.
- Working in a multidisciplinary team
Desirable
- Experience of working in mental health and/or learning disability inpatient services.
- Experience of and ability to carry out clinical audit.
- Experience of supervising SLT assistants.
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- Degree in Speech and Language Therapy.
- Post-graduate dysphagia qualification.
- Unrestricted Health & Care Professions Council Registration.
- CPD Folder evidence of ongoing learning/development.
Desirable
- Member of RCSLT regional Clinical Excellence Network (CEN) appropriate to specialist area of post.
- Trained in objective dysphagia assessment (e.g. cervical auscultation, videofluoroscopy/ FEES).
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Speech and Language Therapist - Inpatient Mental Health Services with Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust in Redwoods Centre. It is listed as a Band 6 Speech and Language Therapist role. The advertised salary is £39,959 - £48,117 per annum. The contract type is 16 months (Fixed Term Until end of March 2028). The application deadline is 01 Sep 2026.
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