Job summary
A fantastic opportunity has arisen for an Advanced Speech and Language Therapist to join the North East Mental Health and Deafness Service. The post will be based at Ashgrove, Saint Nicholas Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne, with some option for home working and is a part time role working 15 hours per week.

The service is a regional specialised mental health service for deaf people from 18 years onwards. This is a tertiary mental health service for Deaf and Deafblind people 18 years and older, who have a range of mental health issues. Our target group are British Sign Language users, but we do support other deaf non-BSL users. The service works in partnership with local secondary care mental health teams, offering specialist assessment, treatment, and advice. The secondary care team retain care coordination/lead professional responsibility and we work in close partnership in order to deliver optimal care in a culturally appropriate manner.

We are looking for a dedicated, enthusiastic individual, with specialist clinical experience. The post holder will be able to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and have the skills and knowledge to develop the delivery of Speech and Language Therapy within this service whilst providing excellent, high-quality input.

Main duties of the job
The post holder will work with a small caseload to ensure that communication and emotional literacy needs have been thoroughly assessed and that clients have a comprehensive care plan to meet their individual needs. The aim of the interventions will be to support the client's independence in their ability to manage their mental health and to also support them/their secondary care team to communicate effectively so that they can deliver optimised care. This may involve therapeutic intervention to assist in skill and knowledge building regarding communicating their mental health needs or working with the secondary care team to adapt care plans.

The post holder will need to be confident in providing high quality, evidence-based assessments and interventions and have an understanding and experience of working with people with a range of complex issues from a variety of settings and environments. Liaison with community teams, other organisations, families and carers will be a significant part of this role.

The post holder will possess excellent communication and organisational skills and the ability to work independently. The post holder will support the continued professional development of the team and advise specifically around communication and emotional literacy.

Regular support and supervision will be available and professional supervision will be provided by a speech and language therapist.

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

We will provide you with a comprehensive induction period and you will have access to ongoing clinical supervision and appraisal with development reviews that will provide you with support and the specialist skills required to meet the holistic needs of the patients in your care. The post holder will be expected to actively engage in the Trusts supervision and continuing professional development process.

We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.

NHS Employees identified as at risk of compulsory redundancy and those eligible for the NENC Re-Deployment careers hub will receive prior consideration.

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

There will be an element of travelling across the region and therefore the applicant must be able to meet the mobility requirements of the post.

Advertising date : 27th August 2026
Closing date : 10th 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 to Masters level equivalence
• Post graduate level qualification relevant to area of specialism
• CPD to Masters level equivalence e.g.
• Dysphagia, Communication Aids

Desirable

• Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

Skills and Competencies
Essential

• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills including negotiation and conflict management
• Evidence of effective organisational skills
• Expert supervision skills and experience to support others
• Evidence of maintaining accurate and contemporaneous record keeping
• Be able to travel between various locations within the trust

Desirable

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

Knowledge and Experience
Essential

• Experience and ability to work within MDTs
• Advanced knowledge and skills in the management of service users with acquired brain injury
• Commitment to Partnership working both multi-agency and multi-disciplinary
• Coordinating and supporting staff in the day to day provision of clinical services
• 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 and management supervision to clinical staff
• Knowledge of health and safety requirements of the team

Desirable

• Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Demonstrate change management skills
• Knowledge of RiO data systems and IT skills
• Experience of conduction and evaluating clinical audit

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.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.