Speech and Language Therapist - Learning Disabilities/Mental Health

Job overview

Are you a dedicated and innovative professional seeking a new opportunity to make a meaningful impact? We are pleased to offer an exciting vacancy within our well-established Intellectual Disability (ID) CAMHS service.

As a Speech and Language, you will serve as a Care Coordinator for a specific caseload of patients presenting with complex behaviours and/or significant mental health needs. Your role will involve delivering person-centred, evidence-based, targeted interventions to support children, their families or carers, and the multi-disciplinary team. Regular clinical and peer supervision will be provided to support your ongoing professional development.

Our team operates collaboratively, fostering a supportive environment that encourages skill development and multi-disciplinary working.

This is a full-time, permanent position within the pan-Dorset ID CAMHS service.

The role involves working across two sites in Dorset—Southbourne and Dorchester—with your primary base at Seascape, Southbourne. A valid driving license and access to a car are required, as travel to patient homes and community settings will be part of your duties. Flexible working arrangements may be available, provided service needs are met.

Driving is essential for this role. You will be required to have a full and valid UK driving licence and to travel using own vehicle on Trust business.

Main duties of the job

To work as a member of the multi professional community intellectual disability team providing direct support to people with learning disabilities, mental health concerns and behaviours that are challenging.

Providing expertise and skills to identify the mental health concerns and challenging behaviour.

To be a specialist speech and language therapist acting as an autonomous practitioner with specialist knowledge, skills and experience assessing, diagnosing and managing patient on the caseload. Patients on the caseload will have complex and special educational needs.

The Speech and Language Therapist will work in partnership with clients’ carers and multi-disciplinary Team members to inform assessments of individual needs, make recommendations for interventions and support needs.

To provide SALT communication assessments for CYP as part of a mental health and/or complex behavioural presentation.

To undertake risk assessment, formulation and management for individual clients with complex presentations and to provide advice to other professions regarding communication difficulties.

Applications from candidates that require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification.  When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that using AI can be a useful and supportive tool when completing your application.  However, we have also seen an increase in the over-reliance of AI tools which is negatively impacting applications as they remove candidate’s individuality, and it becomes much harder to get a sense of who you are and your authentic experience.  If you do use AI, it should be used to enhance your application and not to create your supporting statement in its entirety.  If we suspect you have used AI to create your supporting statement and this does not match your experience, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact [email protected]

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of.  Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.