Speech and Language Therapist
South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust has a rich history, well-established community links and an international reputation. We provide a full range of local mental health services to the Kingston, Merton, Richmond, Sutton and Wandsworth London boroughs, as well as specialist forensic mental health services, including specialised services such as national deaf adults and CAMHS inpatients and OCD.
We are committed to providing high quality integrated health and social care for local people with mental health problems in South West London and more specialist mental health services for people throughout the UK. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as ‘good’ however we aim to be ‘outstanding’.
Our Values
We take pride in providing specialist care to our service users where our Trust values; being consistent, compassionate, collaborative, respectful and open is at the heart of everything we do. Our mission is "making life better together".
When you join us, you’ll be part of something special – an innovative and rapidly growing organisation that is helping to redefine the Mental Health, education and social care landscape in the UK.
As a Trust, we are happy to talk flexible working.
Job overview
We are seeking a motivated, Band 5 Speech and Language Therapist to join our community Learning Disability Healthcare Team. As a friendly and dynamic team we provide specialist services for adults with learning disabilities across Wandsworth.
Wandsworth Community Learning Disability Healthcare Team is a dynamic multidisciplinary team with a range of professional groups including nursing, occupational therapy, psychiatry, speech and language, dietetics and physiotherapy. Psychology and behaviour support provision is delivered within an integrated MDT.The service works in close partnership with external health and social care professionals, local providers and third sector organisations.
You’ll be part of a team that is compassionate and supportive, and genuinely committed to working together with the people who use our services, their families, carers and wider networks.
Main duties of the job
The role will include carrying out specialist assessments and interventions for individuals with a range of communication and swallowing needs. Assessment and intervention will take place in a variety of community settings including clients’ own homes, supported living facilities, registered care homes and community day services.
The role will also include working with adults with complex behaviours utilising Positive Behavioural support and/or mental health needs alongside their learning disability. Experience of working within Learning disabilities is desirable.
You will need to be forward thinking and enjoy a challenge, being able to work as part of a team, whilst being able to work under your own initiative.
Career Progression pathways and development opportunities:
As a valued member of the team you will access regular supervision, yearly appraisal and have opportunities for continuing professional development through both internal and external training events.
There will be the opportunity to develop your supervisory skills and leading on aspects of service development.
Working for our organisation
We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust.
We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as ‘good’ - we aspire to be ‘outstanding’.
This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world.More developments are planned across our sites and services.
We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.
We offer flexible working, career development and a variety of benefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive.
Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities- To manage a general caseload of adults with a learning disability, who have complex needs, within the context of a multidisciplinary and multi agency team. Some of these clients will have English as an additional language.
- To provide specialist assessment, diagnosis and intervention for clients with developmental speech, language and communication difficulties and dysphagia
- To deliver therapy intervention in residential, community, day service and educational settings and to ensure that therapy is embedded in the client’s daily routines.
- To work as a member of the SLT team providing an efficient and effective service, liaising with internal and external agencies. He/she will provide timely and targeted individualised management, treatment and advice for clients, involving families, carers and professionals and providing appropriate recommendations and training to professionals from other agencies and other disciplines.
- To work as a member of the multidisciplinary team, initiating, participating and supporting the line manager in team development and service improvement, ensuring that systems and processes are in place to deliver an efficient and effective service
- To participate in continuing professional development and other activities to maintain evidence based best practice. He/she will also assist with the work of student placements, assistants and colleagues and will provide observation opportunities for other professionals.
- To support the work of the Learning Disability Service as required by the Head of Service.
- To work as an autonomous practitioner within the standards of professional practice stipulated by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)
Person specification
Training and Qualifications
Essential criteria- Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent
- Health and Care Professions Council – Licence to Practice
- Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
- Continued Professional Development including evidence of reflective practice and clinical experience gained
Experience
Essential criteria- Relevant experience at undergraduate/post graduate level
- Evidence of multi-disciplinary and multi-agency working
- Experience of paid work in the NHS
- Experience of working with people with a learning disability
Knowledge & Skills
Essential criteria- Knowledge of a range of assessment tools relevant to specific client group with speech, language, communication, voice and swallowing difficulties
- Knowledge of range of therapeutic and management approaches to relevant to client group
- Knowledge and skills to support Mental Capacity Assessments for clients with a range of levels of communication impairments
- Knowledge of the range of alternative/augmentative communication systems available to specified client group
- Specialist clinical knowledge in learning disabilities
- Knowledge of current legislation and policies relevant to learning disabilities
- Understanding of community issues and services available
We are Members of Stonewall Diversity Champions and Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion.
As part of the Trust's commitment to Equalities and Diversity, the Trust supports the establishment of Staff Networks groups to promote diversity in the workplace:
- BME (Evolve) Staff Network
- Christian Staff Network
- DiverseAbility
- Deaf Staff Network
- Mental Health Staff Forum
- Women's Staff Network
- LGBTQIA+
We are committed to supporting the Armed Forces Community and has signed the Armed Forces Covenant.
We provide reasonable adjustments to the interview process for any candidates with a disability.
Please note:
- That the closing date listed is a guide only and that the vacancy may close earlier should sufficient number of applicants have been received
- That once you have submitted your application you agree to your application being transferred to a 3^rd party e-recruitment system
- That should you not have heard from us within three weeks from the closing date your application has not successful
- That priority consideration for applications may be given to at-risk NHS employees
- That should you be successful and appointed, you authorise South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust to confirm your previous NHS service via an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process
- That your employment is offered subject to successful completion of a Probationary Period depending on your Band (except medical roles)
- That we are a smoke-free Trust