Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Advanced Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (Band 7) to join our Mental Health services at Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust.

This is a rare and rewarding opportunity to work at the forefront of specialist mental health speech and language therapy, providing expert clinical input and leadership across the trust. This will initially be 2 days in Phoenix High Dependency Rehab Unit and 3 days in other acute / older peoples mental health wards across the trust. We will work with the post holder to develop a working pattern which means that all of our wards will benefit from speech and language therapy input.

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated clinician who is passionate about improving outcomes for people with severe and enduring mental health needs, and who is ready to shape practice, influence services and develop others at an advanced level. This will be one of the first roles in Speech and Language Therapy in mental health at RDaSH and we are invested in this being a success. You will be supported through peer networks, cross trust supervision and support from senior clinical leadership including the Chief Allied Health Professional in the trust.

Main duties of the job
As an Advanced Specialist / Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist, you will:

• Provide advanced specialist assessment, diagnosis and intervention for adults with highly complex communication and dysphagia needs within mental health settings.
• Act as the clinical lead for speech and language therapy within the MDT, influencing care planning, risk management, discharge and service delivery.
• Manage the most complex and high-risk cases, using advanced clinical reasoning and high levels of professional autonomy.
• Provide expert advice, consultation, supervision and leadership to SLT colleagues, students, assistants and the wider multidisciplinary team.
• Lead and contribute to service development, quality improvement, audit and research, helping shape the future of mental health SLT within the Trust.
• Play a key role in developing communication-enabling environments and promoting parity of esteem for speech and language therapy within mental health services.

About us
Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) employ around 4000 talented colleagues who are very much appreciated, valued, and respected.

We have a wide portfolio which includes mental health, physical health, learning disability and drug and alcohol services.

We are passionate about enhancing the quality of our service and we work hard to attract and select the right colleagues for our organisation. Our goal is to employ those who share our passion for providing first class care while remaining committed to our vision and values. Please view our Strategy using the link below:

https://www.rdash.nhs.uk/documents/clinical-and-organisational-strategy-2023-to-2028/

To find out more about working for RDaSH and the fantastic benefits we offer visit our website:

https://workwithrdash.co.uk/

We are committed to inclusive cultures and really value people in our organisation, view our Allyship video on YouTube to find out more:

https://youtu.be/WMJSkLoTk4Q

The main terms and conditions of service can be found here:

https://www.nhsemployers.org/publications/tchandbook

Details
Date posted: 22 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year
per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time,
Flexible working
Reference number: 376-RCG-0771
Job locations: Tickhill Road Site
Tickhill Road
Doncaster
DN4 8QN
United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
Please view the attached job description and person specification to view the full details about the role.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if there are a high amount of applications.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• HCPC Registered Speech and Language Therapist
• Undergraduate qualification in Speech and Language Therapy
• Portfolio evidence of reflective practice, relevant experience, and CPD.
• Evidence of relevant post graduate courses
• Post Graduate qualification in dysphagia management
• Extensive portfolio evidence of reflective practice, advanced competencies, and continuous professional development
• Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
• Relevant Masters level postgraduate modules or equivalent experience
• Training in quality improvement, service redesign or research methods

Desirable

• Management/leadership courses
• Evidence of advanced specialist training in mental health speech and language therapy, including complex communication needs, dysphagia, neurodevelopmental conditions and capacity / consent

Experience
Essential

• Substantial post-qualification experience as a speech and language therapist, including advanced specialist experience within mental health services
• Experience of independently managing a highly complex, high-risk clinical caseload involving diagnostic uncertainty, safeguarding, capacity, and ethical dilemmas
• Demonstrable experience of providing clinical leadership within an MDT, influencing care planning, risk management and discharge Formal experience of supervising qualified staff, assistants and/or students, including responsibility for developing others' practice
• Lead or significant contributor to clinical audit, service evaluation, research or quality improvement initiatives
• Experience of delivering specialist training to SLT colleagues and wider MDT

Desirable

• Experience of leading service development or redesign within mental health or specialist services
• Experience of appraisal, performance development review or workforce development
• Experience of representing SLT at Trust-wide or system-level forums
• Involvement in regional or national professional networks, projects or working groups

Knowledge
Essential

• Understanding and knowledge of clinical governance issues within own clinical practice and wider implications for delivery of patient services.

Skills
Essential

• Highly developed communication skills, able to convey complex, sensitive or contentious information in emotionally charged and challenging environment
• Ability to persuade, negotiate and influence practice change across professional boundaries
• Confidence in providing expert clinical advice, supervision and challenge, including managing disagreement and professional risk
• Ability to support patients, carers and staff in situations involving distress, trauma, aggression or highly emotive content
• Demonstrated leadership behaviours: resilience, accountability, professional authority and role modelling
• Strong commitment to equality, anti-oppressive practice and reducing health inequalities
• Ability to plan, prioritise and review complex clinical and service activity, balancing competing demands and risk
• Advanced analytical and clinical reasoning skills, including management of uncertainty and non-standard situations
• Ability to lead service activity, delegate effectively and support others in workload management
• Experience of contributing to or leading governance activity, audits or policy implementation
• Highly developed time management and decision-making skills
• Highly developed communication skills, able to convey complex, sensitive or contentious information in emotionally charged and challenging environments

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).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (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: Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHSFT
Address: Tickhill Road Site
Tickhill Road
Doncaster
DN4 8QN
United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.rdash.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Chief Allied Health Professional
Jon Rouston
jrouston@nhs.net
03000213000

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.
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).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).