Speech and Language Therapist

Job overview

This is an exciting time to join our Trust. South West London St. Georges is at the beginning of an exciting journey of transforming our community mental health services. In 2021/22 the Trust will benefit from significant investment in community mental teams to strengthen provision across all our boroughs.

If you want to live locally and work locally, with an employer that offers flexible and agile working with great development and carer progression opportunities, then this may be the role you!

The National Deaf Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service is part of a high quality comprehensive national service for children, young people and their families up to eighteen years of age who are severely or profoundly deaf and have significant difficulties with their mental health.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will provide a comprehensive speech and language therapy service to the multidisciplinary team in the Regional Deaf CAMHS Service. The work involves taking the lead role in assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of disorders of communication of this highly specialist caseload and being responsible for clinical governance. The post holder will work with interdisciplinary and cross national teams, including developing joint assessment and therapy programmes with Deaf colleagues.

A high level of clinical experience is required with regard to both deafness and child mental health disorders and their relationship with disorders of communication. The post holder will be expected to represent both the service and their own clinical specialism, provide training, second opinions, consultations, and supervision to SLT students, other speech and language therapists and other professionals beyond the Trust. The post holder will work closely with Deaf colleagues and be expected to hold a BSL Level 2 qualification or equivalent.

They will undertake research and have a role in the SLT profession nationally.

This post would be suitable for SLTs with advanced skills in working with deaf people including those who sign but who may need some initial support and training in the specialist clinical area of mental health.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To assess and offer a differential diagnosis on the client’s speech, language and communication problems in relation to their deafness and mental health problems.

To plan and advise specialist SLT treatment programmes for this highly specialist caseload and treat in a variety of modes (individual, group, uni and multidisciplinary) including joint work with Deaf colleagues.

To support Deaf Child Mental Health Workers in direct interventions.

To support clients with their audiological needs and help arrange clinical referrals for this purpose when necessary.

To provide consultation and second opinions to other specialist SLTs and other professionals and agencies associated with the service or working with deafness or mental health issues beyond the Trust.

To maintain clinical records and to write and submit highly complex reports.

To work closely with families, carers and other professionals involved with individual clients.

To recognise and manage risk in the clients and deal appropriately with occasional unpleasant work conditions during work.

To undertake relevant clinical research and audit.

To take responsibility for policy and service development for SLT in this highly specialist service.

To develop and promote speech and language therapy for this highly specialist client group, including publication and talking at conference level.

To contribute as an equal member of the team to the development, implementation and evaluation of the multi-disciplinary service.

To represent the Deaf Children, young people and family Service at professional meetings and conferences.

To maintain and develop a high standard of clinical skills as part of a continuing professional development plan, through supervision and a personal development plan agreed in the annual appraisal.

To be aware of key legislative and ethical issues concerning the provision of metal health and welfare services to the client group.

To participate as a member of the Trust’s speech and language therapy department and other professional bodies as appropriate.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in job applications

If you have used AI to support the preparation of your application, please briefly indicate how it was used within your supporting statement or application form.

Please remember, your application is your opportunity to tell us about your skills, experience and motivation for the role. We encourage applicants to complete their application and supporting statement in their own words wherever possible. We recognise that AI tools can be helpful in supporting accessibility, and for improving spelling, grammar and structure.

Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content can become generic and fail to accurately reflect an applicant's individual experience. Applications that clearly demonstrate your own voice, reflections and experiences are often the most effective and help us better understand your suitability for the role.

Please be aware that information provided in your application and supporting statement may be explored further during the selection process. It is important that all applications accurately represent your own knowledge, skills and experience.

Applicant requirements

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.