Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Advanced Speech and Language Therapist to join our service, providing input to inpatient wards across North Cumbria.

We can offer flexibility in contracted hours for this role, with options between 22.5 and 37.5 hours per week.

This post forms part of theSpeech and Language Therapy Inpatient Team, which supports both working-age adult and older people's mental health wards across Cumbria, Northumberland, Newcastle, Gateshead, and Sunderland. The team works with individuals presenting with complex cognitive and functional mental health needs.

We are seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic individual to join our multidisciplinary team. The successful candidate will be confident in delivering high-quality, evidence-based assessments and interventions. They will possess excellent communication and organisational skills, alongside the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team.

The base for this post is negotiable and could be the Carlton Clinic in Carlisle, North Cumbria or in the North East at Monkwearmouth Hospital in Sunderland. If you chose to be based in the North East, you would be expected to travel and work into North Cumbria 3 days per week. Your travel time would be part of your working week and your travel costs could be reclaimed. There may also be the option of using a pool car for this travel.

Main duties of the job
You will work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, service users, carers, and other professionals to provide integrated support for communication and dysphagia needs. This will include assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation, ensuring high-quality, patient-centred care and support local teams in providing effective and responsive therapy input.

The successful candidate will be confident in delivering high-quality, evidence-based assessments and interventions, and will have experience working with individuals with a range of complex communication needs and disabilities across a variety of settings and environments.

You will possess excellent communication and organisational skills, along with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. A key aspect of the role will involve sharing specialist speech and language therapy knowledge and skills with colleagues and wider stakeholders.

You will work closely with the Clinical Lead and will provide clinical supervision, support, and leadership to other team members, as appropriate.

About us
The Speech and Language Therapy Service within Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust is continuing to develop and grow to meet the needs of our patients and local communities.

You will become part of a large, dynamic team of Speech and Language Therapists working within well-established multidisciplinary teams, all committed to delivering high-quality care. We actively support professional development and offer opportunities for all team members to contribute to service development and innovation.

We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse, talented, and compassionate workforce, enabling us to meet the demands of the modern NHS both now and in the future. In return, we offer a supportive and dynamic working environment in which to build and develop your career.

Job responsibilities
Regular support and supervision will be provided, and you will be expected to actively engage in supervision and continuing professional development processes. A comprehensive induction programme will be offered, along with ongoing access to clinical supervision, appraisal, and development reviews. These will support you in building the specialist skills required to meet the holistic needs of the individuals in your care, and to contribute to the Trusts commitment to high-quality service delivery.

Please see the separate job description, person specification and the service and role descriptor for more information.

Advertising date : 20th August 2026
Closing date : 3rd September 2026

We welcome your application.

Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential

• Recognised SALT degree or equivalent and registered with HCPC
• Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses/CPD to Masters level equivalence
• Post graduate level qualification relevant to area of specialism

Desirable

• Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Evidence of leadership development, such as attendance at a recognised leadership course

Knowledge and Experience
Essential

• Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team
• Undertaking Joint Development Reviews
• Commitment to Partnership working both multi-agency and multi-disciplinary.
• Awareness of equal opportunities legislation and policies.
• Experience of collaborative working across agencies and professional disciplines.
• Proven ability to manage a clinical caseload in a flexible manner as required.
• Experience of providing clinical supervision and support to clinical staff.

Skills and Competencies
Essential

• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills including negotiation and conflict management
• Evidence of effective organisational skills
• Expert clinical supervision skills
• Evidence of maintaining accurate and contemporaneous record keeping

Desirable

• Demonstrate change management skills
• Knowledge of RiO data systems and IT skills
• Experience of conducting and evaluating clinical audit

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.