Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Go back Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 16 April 2026

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a full time, permanent, Band 6 Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to work in the Community Children and Young People's Service (CYPS) in the Northumberland team.

We welcome applicants who have experience working with children and young people although this is not essential. It is essential that applicants are registered as a Speech and Language Therapist and have previous experience working within a mental health, learning disability or neurodevelopmental setting and/or team. We are interested in appointing a dedicated and committed individual who can demonstrate their ability to engage and work collaboratively with others/partner agencies and understand complex systems in order to support effective pathways.

CYPS provide care, treatment and assessment for young people with complex, moderate to severe needs over the whole of Northumberland. The multi-disciplinary team comprises a highly skilled and experienced workforce of consultant psychiatrists, nurses, psychologists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, psychotherapists, social workers, art therapists and support workers. The team are dedicated, compassionate and always put young people and their families at the centre of everything they do.

You will provide specialist SALT assessment, intervention and recommendations for children and young people accessing these services. You will work as an integral member of the CYPS MDT and support the ongoing development of the SALT provision in the service.

You should have qualifications and experience relevant in this clinical field and work well as part of a close team and be able to work independently. You will liaise closely with fellow professionals to address communication difficulties as part of a holistic, service user centred service and be confident in providing high quality, evidence-based assessments and interventions and possess excellent communication and organisational skills as well as have the ability to work independently.

The post will be based at St Georges Park Hospital in Morpeth, Northumberland.

The Speech and Language Therapy Service in Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust continues to develop and grow to meet the needs of our patients and local communities.

You will join a large, dynamic team of Speech and Language Therapy colleagues in established, multi-disciplinary teams who are committed to providing the best quality service to our patients. We actively encourage professional development and provide opportunities for all in the Speech and Language Therapy team to contribute to the development of the service.

We will provide you with a comprehensive induction period and you will have access to ongoing clinical supervision and appraisal with development reviews that will provide you with support and the specialist skills required to meet the holistic needs of the patients in your care. The post holder will be expected to actively engage in the Trusts supervision and continuing professional development process.

We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.

NHS Employees identified as at risk of compulsory redundancy and those eligible for the NENC Re-Deployment careers hub will receive prior consideration.

Please see the separate job description, person specification and in particular the service and role descriptor for more information.

You will be required to travel to other sites across the Trust as part of the role.

• Registration with HCPC
• Evidence of completion of a short course relevant to the area of specialism
• A dysphagia qualification or commitment to attain this qualification and practice in this clinical area
• Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Log of supervised hours/completion of dysphagia competencies

• Experience of delivering appropriate specialist assessments and evidence based interventions to service users with communication and/or swallowing disorders
• Specialist communication skills, considering a variety of strategies to support children with complex communication/cognitive needs
• Experience of developing therapeutic partnerships with service users and carers
• Working knowledge of statutory issues which impact on service users eg safeguarding, MHA, MCA
• Experience of working within a mult disciplinary environment
• Experience of supervising others eg assistant practitioners, students
• Experience of contributing to audit and/or service evaluation
• Experience of working at post graduate level as a Speech and Language Therapist with children who have a learning disability, complex behaviours that challenge and/or mental health needs
• Knowledge of assessment and management of behaviours that challenge
• Experience of delivering training relevant to SALT

• Proven ability to carry out and provide comprehensive written assessments of children with complex mental health needs
• Risk assessment, risk/safety management planning skills
• Demonstrate an understanding of effective and appropriate treatment options including a range of evidence based clinical approaches as identified in the NICE guidance
• Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills. Excellent interpersonal skills and good conflict resolution skills
• Evidence of a high level of professional, organisational and leadership skills (self and others)
• Ability to adapt within a changing environment and work under pressure
• Ability to work effectively with other professionals using a multi-agency approach. Ability to work autonomously and within a team
• Excellent time and case management skills and the ability to use electronic recording and relevant IT equipment
• Proven track record of acting as an effective advocate for service users and their carers
• Clinical leadership skills

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.

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust