Speech and Language Therapist

Job Summary We are looking to recruit a highly motivated and enthusiastic Speech and Language Therapist to work within our Intensive Support Service. The intensive support service provides specialist multidisciplinary community intensive support to adults with learning disabilities who are in crisis due to escalation in behaviours of concern and/or deterioration of their mental health. The focus of the service is to support individuals to remain in their home, to prevent, where possible, the breakdown of care arrangements/placement and prevent admission to hospital. The service acts as a gateway to the inpatient assessment and treatment service and works in close liaison with inpatient services to facilitate appropriate admission and timely discharge from services. The team operates 9am-5pm 365 days of the year and works with service users in a variety of health and social care settings across Norfolk and Waveney. You will be forward thinking and able to demonstrate clinical knowledge in the area of adult learning disabilities based on current evidence. You will autonomously undertake specialist assessments and interventions with individuals with both communication difficulties and dysphagia. Trust Values Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional. Main Duties & Responsibilities To work within the Norfolk and Waveney Intensive Support Service offering SLT assessment and intervention for service users with a learning disability, mental health issues and complex needs. This will be undertaken in partnership with: The individual The individual's carers / family members Members of the multidisciplinary team Responsibilities (Band 5) To manage a small defined caseload, using evidence-based person-centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions. To provide this service to service users, who present with communication and/or dysphagia difficulties. To work as a member of the multidisciplinary team. To assess, diagnose and develop treatment plans for service users, including those with profound learning disabilities, additional sensory and/or physical disability, mental health diagnosis and/or challenging behaviour. To select and apply SLT assessments for a designated caseload, addressing communication and/or dysphagia needs. To work with service users and carers to identify SLT requirements as part of the overall care plan. To plan and implement individual interventions, in collaboration with the service user and carer. To monitor, evaluate and modify interventions with service users to ensure effectiveness of intervention and positive outcomes. To instruct and advise Assistant Therapy Practitioners (ATP) in the appropriate provision of interventions. To have knowledge and understanding of the application of alternative and augmentative communication. To review and reflect on your own practice and performance through effective use of professional and operational supervision and appraisal. To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and reliable attendance. To demonstrate basic leadership skills. To participate in the induction, training and education of students and other staff as appropriate. To apply knowledge and skills to make decisions in the absence of senior staff. To be responsible for maintaining stock, advising on resources to carry out the job. To be responsible for the safekeeping and use of equipment and materials. To participate in the planning, evaluation and audit of practice, clinical pathways and protocols. To participate in the delivery of the SLT development plan. To ensure Health & Safety Regulations and Data Protection Act Regulations are observed and instituted. To take part in Risk Assessment and to attend mandatory training sessions. To conduct risk assessments and manage clinical and organisational risk. To plan own diary and appointments with the service users and their carers in conjunction with the Specialist Learning Disability Community Service. To work within the team base, clinic and community settings as appropriate. To ensure that up to date written electronic records and reports are maintained in accordance with Professional and Trust standards. To record appropriate statistical activity. Responsibilities (Band 6) To manage a diverse caseload, using evidence-based, person-centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions. To provide this service to service users with communication and/or dysphagia difficulties. To work as a member of the multidisciplinary team. To assess, diagnose and develop treatment plans for service users, including those with profound learning disabilities, additional sensory and/or physical disability, mental health diagnosis and/or challenging behaviour. To assess, diagnose and develop treatment plans for service users presenting with dysphagia. To be responsible for assessment, differential diagnosis, formulation of treatment plans, writing assessment reports, providing appropriate intervention, evaluating treatment outcomes and reviewing and discharging service users. To be responsible for managing a defined caseload. To work with and be available to other SLTs and ATPs for support and joint consultation as required. To be an autonomous practitioner. To work with service users and carers to identify SLT requirements as part of the overall care plan. To have knowledge and understanding of the application of alternative and augmentative communication. To have the skills needed to facilitate group work. To undertake risk assessments and manage clinical and organisational risk. To review and reflect on your own practice and performance through effective use of professional and operational supervision and appraisal. To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and reliable attendance. To coordinate day-to-day activities of junior staff where applicable. To demonstrate good leadership skills. To participate in the induction, training and education of students and other staff as appropriate. To participate in supervision of junior staff as appropriate. To apply knowledge and skills to make decisions in the absence of senior staff. To be responsible for maintaining stock, advising on resources to carry out the job. To be responsible for the safekeeping and use of equipment and materials. To participate in the planning, evaluation and audit of practice, clinical pathways and protocols. To participate in the delivery of the dysphagia pathway development plan. To ensure Health & Safety Regulations and Data Protection Act Regulations are observed and instituted. To take part in Risk Assessment and to attend mandatory training sessions. To critically appraise and review current literature on relevant topics. To take part in the annual appraisal process and develop a personal development plan. To undertake professional and educational activities to develop knowledge and ensure maintenance of professional and clinical standards. To plan own diary and appointments with the service users and their carers in conjunction with the Specialist Learning Disability Community Service. To work within the team base, clinic, community and in-patient setting as appropriate. To ensure that up to date written electronic records and reports are maintained in accordance with Professional and Trust standards. To record appropriate statistical activity. Person Specification – Qualifications Degree in Speech and Language Therapy. Registration with HCPC. Member of the RCSLT. Evidence of continuing Professional Development (CPD) – professional portfolio. Willingness to undertake post graduate dysphagia training. Person Specification – Previous Experience Specialist knowledge and application of speech and language therapy assessments and interventions. Detailed knowledge of evidence-based practice and its contribution to practice governance. Planning and coordination of treatment packages. Person Specification – Desirable Previous experience working in the field of Learning Disabilities or other relevant transferable setting (e.g. older adults, long term neuro). Experience of managing a caseload. Person Specification – Skills Experience of managing a caseload. Broad knowledge of current best practice in SLT, Learning Disabilities and mental health. Group work skills. Understanding of team dynamics. Person Specification – Physical Skills Computer literacy. Basic word processing skills. Car driver (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010 which prevents you from driving). Person Specification – Mental Effort Ability to manage own workload and determine priorities. Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance. Application of health, safety and risk management policies. Working with service users with barriers to understanding. Person Specification – Emotional Effort Regular requirement to deal with distressing or emotionally charged situations. 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. Job Details Date posted: 05 December 2025 Pay scheme: Agenda for change Band: Band 5 Salary: £31,049 to £46,580 a year per annum pro rata Contract: Permanent Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working Reference number: 367-LD&F-9911 Job locations: Astley Court, Little Plumstead Hospital, Norwich, NR13 5EW Employer Details Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust Address: Astley Court, Little Plumstead Hospital, Norwich, NR13 5EW Website: https://www.hpft.nhs.uk/careers/ #J-18808-Ljbffr