# Speech and Language Therapist - Learning Disabilities/Mental Health > NHS job listing from Job Clerk for Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust. ## Canonical URLs - **HTML:** https://www.jobclerk.com/job/speech-and-language-therapist-learning-disabilitiesmental-health/3b515a75-c352-46dd-accf-4c27eccf01c3 - **Markdown:** https://www.jobclerk.com/job/speech-and-language-therapist-learning-disabilitiesmental-health/3b515a75-c352-46dd-accf-4c27eccf01c3.md ## Summary - **Status:** Live - **Employer:** Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust - **Town:** Poole - **Region:** South West - **Country:** England - **Profession:** Speech and Language Therapist - **Grade:** Band 6 - **Salary:** £39,959 - £48,117 per annum - **Contract type:** Permanent - **Employment type:** Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday - flexible start and finish times) - **Closing date:** 2026-06-09T23:59:00.000Z - **Posted:** 2026-05-26T10:13:19.664Z - **Source information URL:** https://www.healthjobsuk.com/job/UK/Dorset/Bournemouth/Dorset_HealthCare_University_NHS_Foundation_Trust/Intellectual_Disability_ID_CAMHS/Intellectual_Disability_ID_CAMHS-v8035754 - **Application URL:** https://apps.trac.jobs/job-advert/8035754?ShowJobAdvert=&feedid=9002 - **Employer website:** https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk ## Job Content ### 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. Please note visa sponsorship for this role is unfortunately not available. Ensure you hold valid right to work in the UK and will not require sponsorship if successful. ### 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. ## Job Details 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. ## Job Description 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. Please note visa sponsorship for this role is unfortunately not available. Ensure you hold valid right to work in the UK and will not require sponsorship if successful. ## 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. ## Person Specification ### Education **Essential** - Recognised Speech & Language Therapy Degree or Masters Qualification or equivalent - Health Professions Council – license to practice - Registered member of Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists **Desirable** - Evidence of completion of specialist courses related to people with a learning disability, challenging behaviour and/or mental health ### Experience **Essential** - Ability to adapt written and verbal communication to suit the needs of people with communication and intellectual disabilities. - Knowledge of assessment tools relevant to the client group. - Knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions relevant to client group. **Desirable** - Experience as a Speech & Language Therapist of working with autistic individuals. - Experience as a Speech and Language Therapist in working with individuals with intellectual disability. - Experience of training other professionals. ### Personal Attributes **Essential** - Evidence of demonstrating the trust values and behaviours - Able to communicate effectively at different levels of the organisation and with staff and patients, both verbally and in writing. - Able to overcome barriers to understanding where there are intellectual disabilities. - Ability to evaluate care leading to improvement in quality standards and service development. - Able to analyse and assess situations and interpret potentially conflicting situations and determine appropriate action, where there is a range of options and judgement required. ### Job Specific Experience **Essential** - Experience in the assessment for an implementation of alternative and augmentative communication (AAC). **Desirable** - Previous supervisory experience. - Experience of devising and delivering training ## Documents - [dbs information (pdf, 22.9kb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?edoc=2340) - [staff benefits leaflet (pdf, 316.1kb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?edoc=695) - [pay scales from 1 april 2025 (pdf, 44.6kb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?edoc=1941) - [applications recruitment flowchart (pdf, 434.1kb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?edoc=866) - [152-m002.26 - speech and language therapist - l&d and mh, band 6 - jd&ps (pdf, 820.7kb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?vdoc=10323742) ## Agent Notes - This Markdown page is generated from the same Job Clerk job record as the HTML job detail page. - Use the canonical HTML URL for user-facing references. - Use the application URL when the user wants to apply on the source NHS site.