Job summary
Please note - this post is fixed term until 31st March 2028

Are you a dysphagia competent, highly skilled HCPC Registered Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) ready to take the next step in your career? We are excited to offer a Band 6 Specialist SLT opportunity on the adult inpatient mental health wards at Redwoods Centre, Shrewsbury.

Previous formal mental health experience is not essential but seeking clinicians who demonstrate a strong interest in mental health to undertake this unique opportunity to specialise and deepen knowledge, skills, and experience in this area.

You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide specialist Speech & Language Therapy assessment, diagnosis and treatment to adults and older adults with communication and dysphagia needs on adult inpatient mental health wards.

This role is new with our mental health services and offers a significant opportunity for you to contribute to service development and pathway design within this service.

We value compassionate care, innovation, and professional growth and offer excellent opportunities for Continuing Professional Development. You'll become part of an extremely friendly and supportive SLT team with strong Allied Health Professional (AHP) links connecting you to our valued AHP network of colleagues across the Trust and you will be well supported by our leadership teams through regular supervision.

This is a 30 hour a week role and is fixed term until end of March 2028.

Main duties of the job
Resilience is key, as it is a challenging yet highly rewarding role. As a specialist Band 6 SLT on our inpatient mental health wards, you will be expected to:

• Deliver expert assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for mental health inpatient adults/older adults with communication and dysphagia needs.
• Manage a complex caseload autonomously, often working without direct supervision (but with regular access to B7 and B6 peer SLT support).
• Work collaboratively within a specialist mental health multidisciplinary team to support holistic patient centred care and recovery.
• Provide supervision and training to junior staff and contribute to SLT service development where appropriate.
• Use evidence-based approaches and specialist tools (e.g. AAC).

About us
Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.

We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford and Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.

We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.

We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.

Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.

Job responsibilities
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. If it is identified that you require sponsorship to undertake this role your application may be withdrawn.

For full details of this role, please see the attached job description and person specification. Please note the job description is currently going through the Agenda for Change process and may be subject to change.

If you are ready to make a meaningful impact in mental health care through specialist SLT practice, we would love to hear from you. We welcome informal visits/enquiries. We are also open to Band 5 to 6 development options if essential criteria are met. Apply through our website.

Location: Redwoods Centre, Shrewsbury, SY3 8DS
Closing date: 28 October 2026
Working pattern: Part-time
Contract: Fixed term, 16 months
Band: Band 6 (Agenda for Change)
Reference number: 301-LBG-26-8218128-A

Essential qualifications and experience

• Degree in Speech and Language Therapy.
• Post-graduate dysphagia qualification.
• Unrestricted Health and Care Professions Council Registration.
• CPD Folder evidence of ongoing learning and development.
• Experience with autonomous assessment and management of adults with communication difficulties (e.g. LD, dementia, neurodivergence).
• Experience working with patients with complex mental health needs.
• Experience with autonomous assessment and management of a wide range of dysphagia presentations.
• Experience as qualified practitioner in more than one area of the profession in which they practise.
• Working in a multidisciplinary team.

Desirable qualifications and experience

• Member of RCSLT regional Clinical Excellence Network (CEN) appropriate to specialist area of post.
• Trained in objective dysphagia assessment (e.g. cervical auscultation, videofluoroscopy/ FEES).
• Experience of working in mental health and/or learning disability inpatient services.
• Experience of and ability to carry out clinical audit.
• Experience of supervising SLT assistants.

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.

Employer contact
Contact: AHP Professional Lead / OT Clinical Lead, Charlotte Wise, charlotte.wise2@mpft.nhs.uk, 01743210018

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice is available on request.