Job overview
Are you passionate about Speech and Language Therapy in mental health care? As a member of the wards multi disciplinary teams you will provide clinical pathways within our mental health wards to meet the speech, language, communication and eating, drinking, swallowing needs of adults accessing the wards to achieve person centred outcomes. Your collaborative work with the MDT will include identifying and enabling skills and knowledge to ensure the SLC/EDS needs of the service users are recognised and accommodated as part of their holistic care.
We currently have a vacancy for a Band 5-Band 6 development post 1.0 FTE Speech and Language Therapist at Guild Forensic Inpatient Hospital. The Unit has 164 beds over 13 wards; the unit undertakes specialist assessments and interventions for both male and female service users. We also have three wards dedicated to men with an Acquired Brain Injury. The hospital is an established service at the forefront of forensic care, within pleasant rural surroundings and a staff group committed to effective multi-disciplinary collaboration and the delivery of high-quality care to the service user group.
We are looking for a Speech & Language Therapist who is enthusiastic about working in mental health with excellent communication skills to develop sound clinical assessment skills and who strives to work autonomously as well as part of a team. You will have good workload management skills and a compassionate approach to patients.
Main duties of the job
As a Speech and Language Therapist for Mental Health Services you will have responsibility for delivering evidence-based clinical care in this specialty, particularly across the multi-disciplinary team within the service. You will be joining an established Speech and Language Therapist in the setting and will have opportunity for shadowing, case discussion and support on a regular basis.
The successful candidate will offer comprehensive SaLT assessments and interventions, provide training opportunities, and enable shared decision making on the wards. Developing a strong understanding of the importance of communication for people experiencing mental health issues and advising the multi-disciplinary team will be a key part of this role
Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust is an exciting place to be a Speech and Language Therapist, and be highly valued in our Trust’s approach to multi-disciplinary care. We have sound professional structures to lead and inspire our substantial Allied Health Professionals workforce. We are committed to delivering excellent services and putting service users at the centre of our work.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached the job description and person specification for more information about this role.
Person specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of current key NHS developments and policies and implications for service delivery
- Basic knowledge of clinical assessments that may apply to adults in a mental health setting
- Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance, including record keeping and confidentiality
Experience
Essential
- Experience of decision making in Speech & Language Therapy contexts
- Show initiative, enthusiasm and motivation for excellence and the development of self
- Experience of working as part of an MDT
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills including observation and listening
- Well-developed presentation skills-written and verbal
- Good IT literacy
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- BA/ BSc/ MSc in Speech and Language Therapy
- HCPC registered
- Licence to practice (RCSLT)
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Speech and Language Therapist with Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust in Preston, North West, England. It is listed as a Band 5 Speech and Language Therapist role. The advertised salary is £32,073 - £48,117 per annum (subject to confirmation). The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 22 Jul 2026.
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