Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Senior Specialist Speech & Language Therapist

The closing date is 29 November 2026

Job summary
We are looking for a Speech and Language Therapist who is passionate about improving the lives of autistic young people and adults to join our innovative Transforming Care Autism Team (TCAT). This post can also be offered as a Band 6 developmental post.

Main duties of the job
The MDT is Sussex wide and provides specialist assessment and consultation to colleagues in SPFT working with adults and young people aged 14 upwards who have a diagnosis of autism who are at risk of a mental health hospital admission.

The successful candidate will have experience in working with autistic people with presentations of risk and liaising with a range of different agencies.

The team supports a neuroaffirmative understanding of the individual's needs in relation to their neurodiversity in order to support discharge from inpatient services or avoid admissions.

About us
The multi-disciplinary team works with individuals, their families, care providers, other SPFT teams and agencies across East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton and Hove.

This is a great opportunity to join a supportive multidisciplinary team comprised of clinical psychologists, occupational therapists, peer support workers and therapy assistants. We are focused on achieving great outcomes for individuals and are contributing to the development of practice across the Trust. Supervision, training and peer support are at the heart of team practice.

Details
Date posted: 13 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time, Flexible working, Compressed hours
Reference number: 354-LD-20355-1
Job locations: East Brighton CMHC, Brighton, BN2 3EW, United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities
You will report to the Principal Speech and Language Therapist and the Operational Team Leader and be responsible for specialist speech and language therapy assessments, consultations and making recommendations.

The team operates with a mix of virtual and face to face meetings and assessments.

We would consider applicants as a B6 development post on completion of agreed competencies.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Recognised Speech & Language Therapy Degree or Master's Qualification or equivalent
• Health Professions Council - license to practice

Experience
Essential

• Extensive postgraduate experience as a Speech & Language Therapist with experience of working with autistic individuals
• Experience of working in mental health settings
• Awareness of the wider context of the NHS within a specialist clinical field.
• Knowledge of assessment tools relevant to the client group
• Knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions (relevant to client group)
• Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance / audit
• Knowledge of record keeping standards
• Ability to adapt written and verbal communication to suit the needs of people with communication and learning disabilities. This may include Makaton signing, symbols and pictures etc

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.

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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Address: East Brighton CMHC, Brighton, BN2 3EW, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Principle Speech and Language Therapist, Natasha Frost, natasha.frost1@nhs.net, 07741193963

Privacy notice
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice.