Speech and Language Therapist
Closing date: 20 July 2026

Job summary
This is an excellent opportunity for a permanent Band 5 Speech and Language Therapist with an interest in Intellectual Disabilities and associated physical and sensory needs and mental health conditions. The role involves providing communication and dysphagia support to service users across the Orion Unit (Assessment and Treatment Unit) and Lister Ward (Forensic Unit).

This post is split across Orion Unit, Highbury Hospital (3 days/week), and Lister Ward, Wells Road Centre (2 days/week), offering varied experience and opportunities to develop skills across both settings.

Using person-centred approaches, you will be responsible for providing Speech and Language Therapy assessment, developing formulations and interventions for patients, and provide written recommendations for a range of audiences.

You will use best practice to inform your practice and where appropriate standardised assessment tools and outcome measures.

Orion Unit supports adults with intellectual disabilities and complex mental health needs or behaviours that challenge, requiring inpatient care. Here, you will assess changes in communication during crises, support behaviour management, and implement visual and environmental communication strategies.

Main duties of the job
The role requires specialist clinical and professional expertise in order that people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and their support providers benefit from a well-co-ordinated pro-active, specialist, efficient and effective speech and language therapy service within the designated setting. The service includes individual therapy and management, training, advice and consultation within the context of a supportive SLT team and diverse MDT.

You will be working alongside a Band 7 SLT and a full multidisciplinary team consisting of nurses, health care assistants, psychologists, occupational therapists, health care support workers and social workers. The use of direct and indirection interventions provides patients with appropriate opportunities for communication and enhances autonomy and choice, enabling them to be at the centre of their own care pathway.

The post holder is responsible for SLT individual and group assessment, formulation and diagnosis, individual therapy and management, training, advice and a consultative/coaching approach to meet communication and/or dysphagia needs.

The post holder will work as an integral part of a multi-disciplinary team across both settings and with a variety of agencies to maximise communication opportunities for service users and to provide support and advice to others on speech and language therapy issues.

About us
#TeamNottsHC comprises over 11,000 dedicated colleagues who #MakeADifference every day. We deliver intellectual disability, mental health, community health, forensic, and offender healthcare services across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and South Yorkshire. Our care is provided from over 200 sites, spanning community locations, acute settings, and secure environments, including prisons.

We are one of the largest mental health and community Trusts in the East Midlands and one of Nottinghamshire's biggest employers. We also host national and regional services, such as the National High Secure Deaf Service and the Nottingham Centre for Transgender Health.

We offer a variety of employee-led staff networks, including Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) groups, the Green Champions network, the Freedom to Speak Up network, the Health and Wellbeing Champions network, and the Menopause Champions network. These networks play a vital role in supporting our diverse workforce and promoting a culture of inclusivity.

The health and wellbeing of colleagues is a top priority. We invest significantly in this through our in-house occupational health and staff counselling services, supported by a dedicated Health and Wellbeing team.

The Trust is committed to reducing its carbon emissions, with a specialised Energy and Environmental team working to ensure compliance with environmental legislation, enhance our environmental performance, and achieve our net-zero commitment.

Details
Date posted: 06 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year per annum (pro rata for part time)
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 186-555-26-GH
Job locations: Highbury Hospital and Wells Road, Nottingham, NG6 9DR, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

• To be responsible for SLT individual and group assessment, formulation and diagnosis, individual therapy and management, training, advice and a consultative/coaching approach to meet communication and/or dysphagia needs.
• To work as an integral part of a multi-disciplinary team across both settings and with a variety of agencies in order to maximise communication opportunities for service users and to provide support and advice to others on speech and language therapy issues.
• In each setting to assess, treat and manage own caseload, with supervision from highly-specialist SLTs.
• To contribute to the development, implementation, monitoring and adjustment of care pathways for these user-focused services.
• To employ evidence-based practice, promoting this approach to all staff, volunteers and students.
• Lister Ward is a 14-bed low-secure male forensic ward for adults with intellectual disabilities, Autism, mental health conditions and complex histories. In this setting, you will assess and manage complex communication and create person centred resources tailored to forensic needs to support understanding of legal and care processes and contribute to communication profiles to reduce risk.

Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. The cost of the DBS application is £26.40 (standard) or £54.40 (enhanced), this cost will be deducted from your salary over the first 2 months of employment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. An annual fee of £16 per year applies.

Person Specification
Physical requirements
Essential

• Has the physical ability to perform the full range of duties

Desirable

• Physical skills in line with role (including MVA as appropriate)

Qualifications - Academic / Craft / Professional
Essential

• Recognised SLT Degree/diploma
• RCSLT and HCPC Registered or pending registration for final year SLT students

Desirable

• NQ communication competencies completed

Training
Essential

• Training relevant to supporting people with intellectual disabilities and autism

Desirable

• Portfolio of relevant post qualification CPD including specialist knowledge of Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) of service users with additional mental health diagnoses / intellectual disabilities
• Post basic dysphagia training or completed competencies

Experience
Essential

• Experience of voluntary, paid work or carers role with adults with learning disabilities Or Relevant SLT student placement (eg ALD, ASC, Special School, secure setting)
• Experience of using low tech or high tech communication aids or approaches (eg Signing, visual support strategies, Voice output aids)
• Observed/ carried out a range of appropriate specialist therapeutic interventions for adults with learning disabilities.

Desirable

• Relevant experience of voluntary or paid work with vulnerable children or adults
• Experience of delivering Learning and development opportunities for others
• Experience of working in a team and to discuss the benefits of teamwork

Knowledge
Essential

• Theoretical knowledge of SLT delivery including the use of different approaches and multi-disciplinary working, across different contexts and environments.
• Knowledge of national policies and procedures (relevant to the client group)
• Undergraduate Knowledge of different approaches to working with adults with learning disabilities, challenging behaviours, ASC and mental health diagnoses

Desirable

• Signs and symbols knowledge
• Knowledge of the Transforming Care agenda

Skills
Essential

• Empathetic and psychologically minded
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Well organised
• Good reasoning skills
• Motivated and a motivator
• Team builder and team member
• Reflective practitioner
• Ability to manage own well-being with access to supervision to sustain this.

Desirable

• Can discuss issues involved in managing a caseload

Contractual requirements
Essential

• Flexible working as required by post

Desirable

• A full UK driving license and vehicle for business use is required for this post; however reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled individuals in line with the Equality Act 2010.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

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

Employer details
Employer name: Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Highbury Hospital and Wells Road, Nottingham, NG6 9DR, United Kingdom
Employer's website: Apply through the employer's website.