Job summaryAn exciting opportunity has arisen for a B7 Lead SLT to join our inpatient Mental Health Services in DTVF, setting up a new SLT team of qualified and support staff. The team will work across the AMH inpatient provision in Durham and Tees Valley, being part of the multi-professional leadership team within this specialty. This will involve linking in with clinical networks, pathway and service development, having opportunity to develop practice and innovation in inpatient care.
The post holder will be part of a dynamic SLT Mental Health and Learning Disability service, with well-defined peer support, supervision systems and extensive CPD alongside opportunities to shape the SLT service as part of the clinical leadership team.
You must have the Right to Work in the UK in order to be successfully appointed to this role. Please note, this role does not meet the required eligibility criteria for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa and therefore the Trust is unable to offer sponsorship for this particular role.
Main duties of the jobThe role of the Lead Speech & Language Therapist will be to assess and treat communication difficulties and problems with eating, drinking and swallowing (dysphagia) for our adult inpatients. As a Senior SLT the post holder will carry their own autonomous caseload, supervise and mentor SLT colleagues and support the practice and learning of professionals within the wider MDT. The post holder will also be part of the leadership team and be responsible for service development in their specialty.
The successful applicant will have significant experience of working with adults with autism, mental health difficulties, challenging behaviour and/or complex needs. Knowledge of relevant national policy and local directives is essential. Competence in the assessment and treatment of eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties is highly desirable. Most important is an enthusiasm for working with this client group and a passion to improve the lives of the people we support.
About usWe are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.
From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care --our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.
We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.
We're committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.
We won't rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.
DetailsDate posted: 04 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year
pro rata, per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time,
Flexible working
Reference number: 346-TSA-064-26-D
Job locations: Roseberry Park Hospital
Marton Road
Middlesbrough
TS4 3AF
United Kingdom
Job descriptionJob responsibilitiesApplicants for the post will hold a suitable qualification in Speech and Language Therapy, have relevant experience in this clinical field and have a particular interest and enthusiasm for leadership, service delivery, collaborative working and championing SLT.
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.
This job advert may close early if a high volume of applications have been received. If interested, please apply for the post as soon as possible.For informal discussion please contact:Sam Bradley, Professional Head of Speech and Language Therapy sam.bradley@nhs.net
Emma Scarr, Service Manageremma.scarr1@nhs.net
Person SpecificationQualifications/ExperienceEssential- Pre-registration qualification in speech and language therapy as recognised by HCPC)
- Registration with HCPC.
- Evidence of post-registration Masters level learning
- Or in the absence of masters level learning - Equivalent experience in relevant area. E.g. relevant level 7 courses, researcher role, quality improvement activity, leading service development, project management, strategic leadership, NICE involvement, service evaluation.
- Substantial clinical experience of complex speech and language therapy delivery in relevant specialist area in collaboration with service users, families and relevant others.
Desirable- Experience of working in Multidisciplinary Team (SW essential criteria)
- Complex clinical risk assessment and application in practice
KnowledgeEssential- Significant experience of supporting people with mental health issues, learning disability or autism
- Significant understanding of the needs of service users with mental health conditions or learning disabilities or autism.
Desirable- Substantial knowledge of evidence- based practice in speech and language therapy
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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 SponsorshipApplications 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 RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website. 
