Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

The closing date is 01 July 2026.

We would like to recruit a Speech and Language Therapist who has enthusiasm, compassion and commitment to supporting and enabling people with Autism and/or Learning Disabilities to join our well established Community Autism and Learning Disabilities Service across South Tyneside.

You will work within the multi-disciplinary team and provide Speech and Language Therapy support to adults with Autism and/or Learning Disabilities. You will also work with all stakeholders to contribute to learning and development of staff working with adults with Autism and Learning Disabilities, ensuring effective service delivery and the best possible outcomes for our service users.

You must have up-to-date knowledge and appropriate skills which will ensure that Speech and Language Therapy interventions are delivered in the way which meets the needs of the patient.

You will have an understanding of the complex needs presenting in those with Autism or learning disabilities and be able to demonstrate this with recent and ongoing clinical professional development. You must have excellent communication and organisation skills.

You will manage a case load and supervise junior staff with a delegated caseload and support them in their development.

This post is subject to enhanced DBS disclosure.

You will be able to meet the travel requirements of this post.

This role is to provide a specialist Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) service to patients who require support to access mainstream services or who are unable to access mainstream services. This will include working with autistic people and patients with learning disabilities.

The post holder will contribute to the development of the team, supervise more junior clinicians, actively participate in clinical professional development, keep accurate records, participate in audit and research as directed and work closely with other professionals and partners to deliver high quality care and effective outcomes for patients.

• To provide a specialist Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) service to patients who have a range of communication/dysphagia needs, including those who have complex and/or severe difficulties.
• Patients may have diverse presentations and a range of physical, cognitive and/or mental health conditions. The work may take place in a range of settings (including day services, residential settings and the person's home).
• The role will involve assessment, diagnosis, prioritisation, triage, treatment and discharge of patients.
• To work as a member of the Community Autism and Learning Disabilities Service (CALDS), contributing to multi disciplinary working across organisations to address the needs of patients referred to the team.
• To manage a delegated caseload working collaboratively with patients, carers and staff to meet the needs of patients.
• To participate in service development and audit activities as directed by the appropriate lead.
• To supervise the work of more junior SLTs, SLT Assistants/Technical Instructors and students.
• To participate in research in specialist area as required.
• To demonstrate Trust standards of behaviour and values to support our delivery of excellence in all that we do.

• Experience of working with people with learning disabilities
• Experience of working with autistic people
• Experience of multi agency working
• Experience of working in a multi disciplinary team
• Able to hold own caseload and work with a high degree of autonomy
• Completed newly qualified practitioner competency framework
• Experience working with adults
• Preceptorship completed if applicable
• Experience supervising junior staff
• Experience working in community setting

• Speech and Language Therapy degree/qualification
• Current membership of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)

• Knowledge of relevant communication and/or swallowing disorders
• Knowledge of appropriate assessments and evidence based interventions for communication and/or swallowing disorders and ability to perform these
• Ability to develop therapeutic partnership/rapport with patients/carers/families
• Excellent communication skills, verbal and written
• Working knowledge of safeguarding, the Mental Health Act and the Mental Capacity Act
• Experience of involving patients/carers/families in goal setting
• Experience of working in challenging and changing environments
• Positive attitude to working with autistic people and adults with learning disabilities
• Knowledge of national policies relating to autism and learning disabilities and able to implement learning/guidance from these in own practice
• Ability to prioritise own clinical/non clinical time with good organisational skills
• Ability to reflect honestly on own practice and implement learning from experiences
• Ability to recognise scope of own job role and competence
• Ability to seek advice as appropriate
• Ability to use relevant IT systems
• Ability to work under own initiative
• Commitment to lifelong learning and continuing professional development
• Professional manner
• Willingness and commitment to work towards dysphagia qualification/competency if this has not already been achieved
• Ability to work on own and as part of a team flexibly to meet service requirements
• Experience of working with dysphagia
• Experience delivering training packages to a range of professionals and caregivers

• Able to meet travel requirements of the post
• Current driving licence
• Able to move and handle patients
• Able to use computer systems
• Able to concentrate/observe for long periods
• Must be able to accurately record data

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.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under represented groups.