Speech and Language Therapist
Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation Trust
Norwich,
England,
United Kingdom
Health and Care
Skilled Worker
Salary
46580
Job posted on December 6, 2025
APPLY NOW
Job Description:
Speech and Language Therapist (Development Role B5-6) NHS AfC: Band 5-6 Main area
Learning Disabilities Grade
NHS AfC: Band 5-6 Contract
Permanent Hours
37.5 hours per week Job ref
367-LD&F-9911 Site
Astley Court Town
Norwich Salary
£31,049 - £46,580 per annum pro rata Salary period
Yearly Closing
21/12/2025 23:59 Values Based Screener At Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation Trust we are looking for people to join us who share our values and those of the NHS. Before your application can be considered please take part on our online values questionnaire, which you can find below. When you have finished you will be sent a 'completion code' by email, which will be valid for 6 months and required to submit your application form. http://hpft.recruitforvalues.co Job overview 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 ad 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. Main duties of the job 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 Working for our organisation Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is an outstanding organisation with ambitions to match. We are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from the Care Quality Commission, and our aim is to be the leading provider of mental health and specialist learning disability services in the country. Our family of over 4000 members of staff provide health and social care for over 400,000 people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. We also deliver a range of nationally commissioned specialist services including Tier 4 services for children and young people, perinatal services, plus medium and low secure learning disabilities services. The care we provide makes a fantastic difference to the lives of our service users, their families and carers - everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout: Our Trust values are: Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional. These values are at the core of who we are, everything we do, and how we do it! Would you like to be part of the HPFT family? Would you like work with us to ensure our service users live the fullest lives possible they can? Would you like to be supported in your career to be the best that you can be? Detailed job description and main responsibilities Main Duties & Responsibilities Job 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. Job 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. Working Relationships of the Job (Band 5 and 6): To work with other members of Norfolk Learning Disabilities Service. To work with service users and carers within Specialist Learning Disability Services. To work with other stakeholders including Health Facilitation, Community Learning Disability Teams, Primary and Secondary Care Services. To link with other SLTs. Communication Requirements of the Job (Band 5 and 6): To monitor and evaluate treatment to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention. To establish effective communication networks with service users and carers, team members, AHP colleagues and other agencies. To participate and work as a member of the multidisciplinary team, contributing to decisions with regard to client care programmes. To provide support and deliver education to clients, carers and members of the multidisciplinary team. Clinical Responsibility (Band 5): 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. Clinical Responsibility (Band 6): 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. Leadership and Staff Management Responsibility (Band 5): 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. Leadership and Staff Management Responsibility (Band 6): 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 co-ordinate 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. Financial responsibility (Band 5 & 6): 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. Service Development and Improvement (Band 5): 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. Service Development and Improvement (Band 6): 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. Analytical and Judgemental Skills (Band 5 & 6): To apply increasingly complex skills and knowledge in order to establish professional competence and fitness to practice as a Specialist SLT. To demonstrate ongoing personal development through participation in internal and external development opportunities, recording learning outcomes in a portfolio. To comply with the HCPC and RCSLT Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and national and Trust procedures. To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of clients and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs. Planning and Organisational Skills (Band 5 & 6): Plan own diary and appointments with the service users and their carers in conjunction with the Specialist Learning Disability Community Service. Physical Working Conditions and Environment (Band 5 & 6): To work within the team base, clinic, community and in-patient setting as appropriate. Information Resources (Band 5 & 6): 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 Essential criteria
Previous Experience Essential criteria
Desirable criteria
Skills Essential criteria
Physical Skills Essential criteria
Mental Effort Essential criteria
Emotional Effort Essential criteria
About us Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is rated by the Care Quality Commission as anOutstanding provider of mental health and learning disability services. In 2021, we won the prestigious Health Service Journal award for Mental Health Trust of the Year, with the judges saying they were "blown away" by our people's achievements and that everything they saw "sings and hums". This year, our staff rated us the 4^th best mental health and learning disability trust to work for out of all 52 trusts in the country. Our staff tell us that they are proud to be part of the HPFT team, proud of the standard of care we provide and proud that service users are our top priority. Our people tell us they feel supported though a great development, wellbeing and work-life balance offer and a highly compassionate, values-driven culture. We are equally proud of our staff, who live our values of being welcoming, kind, positive, respectful and professional
so that together we provide great care and great outcomes for our service users and carers. If you would like to join a team to be proud of and you share our values and passion for great care and outcomes for our service users and carers, we would love to hear from you. Additional Information HPFT is committed to being an equal opportunities employer and in order to reflect the diversity of its population, positively encourages applications from all areas of the community. We aim to be a representative organisation with regards to age, disability, ethnicity, gender, beliefs and sexual orientation and are fully committed to equality, diversity and human rights and encourage applications from all sections of the community including users of mental health services. The Trust is committed to helping staff balance work and home life and welcomes applications from candidates wishing to work part-time or under flexible working arrangements. Infection Control All our staff will need to comply with current Infection Prevention and Control measures which could include wearing a mask on all our Trust sites and in all roles AI Usage Guidance While Artificial Intelligence (AI) can aid you in completing your application, these tools cannot fully grasp the context of requirements of the job you're applying for, nor can they accurately reflect your skills, knowledge and experience. Please ensure you have tailored your application before submitting it. For further information, please refer to the Trust's guidance on AI usage document which can be found below. Visa and Immigration Candidates who require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the United Kingdom can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for this position by assessing their circumstances against the criteria specified on the Check if you need a UK visa - GOV.UK website. We would encourage all applicants to review the criteria carefully to understand their eligibility for sponsorship. Employer certification / accreditation badges Applicant requirements You must have appropriate UK professional registration. This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service. Documents to download
Apply online now Further details / informal visits contact Name
Catherine Colston Job title
Health Team Manager Email address
Telephone number
01553 666680
APPLY NOW
Learning Disabilities Grade
NHS AfC: Band 5-6 Contract
Permanent Hours
- Full time
- Flexible working
37.5 hours per week Job ref
367-LD&F-9911 Site
Astley Court Town
Norwich Salary
£31,049 - £46,580 per annum pro rata Salary period
Yearly Closing
21/12/2025 23:59 Values Based Screener At Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation Trust we are looking for people to join us who share our values and those of the NHS. Before your application can be considered please take part on our online values questionnaire, which you can find below. When you have finished you will be sent a 'completion code' by email, which will be valid for 6 months and required to submit your application form. http://hpft.recruitforvalues.co Job overview 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 ad 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. Main duties of the job 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 Working for our organisation Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is an outstanding organisation with ambitions to match. We are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from the Care Quality Commission, and our aim is to be the leading provider of mental health and specialist learning disability services in the country. Our family of over 4000 members of staff provide health and social care for over 400,000 people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. We also deliver a range of nationally commissioned specialist services including Tier 4 services for children and young people, perinatal services, plus medium and low secure learning disabilities services. The care we provide makes a fantastic difference to the lives of our service users, their families and carers - everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout: Our Trust values are: Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional. These values are at the core of who we are, everything we do, and how we do it! Would you like to be part of the HPFT family? Would you like work with us to ensure our service users live the fullest lives possible they can? Would you like to be supported in your career to be the best that you can be? Detailed job description and main responsibilities Main Duties & Responsibilities Job 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. Job 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. Working Relationships of the Job (Band 5 and 6): To work with other members of Norfolk Learning Disabilities Service. To work with service users and carers within Specialist Learning Disability Services. To work with other stakeholders including Health Facilitation, Community Learning Disability Teams, Primary and Secondary Care Services. To link with other SLTs. Communication Requirements of the Job (Band 5 and 6): To monitor and evaluate treatment to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention. To establish effective communication networks with service users and carers, team members, AHP colleagues and other agencies. To participate and work as a member of the multidisciplinary team, contributing to decisions with regard to client care programmes. To provide support and deliver education to clients, carers and members of the multidisciplinary team. Clinical Responsibility (Band 5): 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. Clinical Responsibility (Band 6): 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. Leadership and Staff Management Responsibility (Band 5): 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. Leadership and Staff Management Responsibility (Band 6): 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 co-ordinate 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. Financial responsibility (Band 5 & 6): 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. Service Development and Improvement (Band 5): 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. Service Development and Improvement (Band 6): 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. Analytical and Judgemental Skills (Band 5 & 6): To apply increasingly complex skills and knowledge in order to establish professional competence and fitness to practice as a Specialist SLT. To demonstrate ongoing personal development through participation in internal and external development opportunities, recording learning outcomes in a portfolio. To comply with the HCPC and RCSLT Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and national and Trust procedures. To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of clients and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs. Planning and Organisational Skills (Band 5 & 6): Plan own diary and appointments with the service users and their carers in conjunction with the Specialist Learning Disability Community Service. Physical Working Conditions and Environment (Band 5 & 6): To work within the team base, clinic, community and in-patient setting as appropriate. Information Resources (Band 5 & 6): 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 Essential criteria
- 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.
Previous Experience Essential criteria
- 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.
Desirable criteria
- 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.
Skills Essential criteria
- 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.
Physical Skills Essential criteria
- 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).
Mental Effort Essential criteria
- 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.
Emotional Effort Essential criteria
- Regular requirement to deal with distressing or emotionally charged situations.
About us Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is rated by the Care Quality Commission as anOutstanding provider of mental health and learning disability services. In 2021, we won the prestigious Health Service Journal award for Mental Health Trust of the Year, with the judges saying they were "blown away" by our people's achievements and that everything they saw "sings and hums". This year, our staff rated us the 4^th best mental health and learning disability trust to work for out of all 52 trusts in the country. Our staff tell us that they are proud to be part of the HPFT team, proud of the standard of care we provide and proud that service users are our top priority. Our people tell us they feel supported though a great development, wellbeing and work-life balance offer and a highly compassionate, values-driven culture. We are equally proud of our staff, who live our values of being welcoming, kind, positive, respectful and professional
so that together we provide great care and great outcomes for our service users and carers. If you would like to join a team to be proud of and you share our values and passion for great care and outcomes for our service users and carers, we would love to hear from you. Additional Information HPFT is committed to being an equal opportunities employer and in order to reflect the diversity of its population, positively encourages applications from all areas of the community. We aim to be a representative organisation with regards to age, disability, ethnicity, gender, beliefs and sexual orientation and are fully committed to equality, diversity and human rights and encourage applications from all sections of the community including users of mental health services. The Trust is committed to helping staff balance work and home life and welcomes applications from candidates wishing to work part-time or under flexible working arrangements. Infection Control All our staff will need to comply with current Infection Prevention and Control measures which could include wearing a mask on all our Trust sites and in all roles AI Usage Guidance While Artificial Intelligence (AI) can aid you in completing your application, these tools cannot fully grasp the context of requirements of the job you're applying for, nor can they accurately reflect your skills, knowledge and experience. Please ensure you have tailored your application before submitting it. For further information, please refer to the Trust's guidance on AI usage document which can be found below. Visa and Immigration Candidates who require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the United Kingdom can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for this position by assessing their circumstances against the criteria specified on the Check if you need a UK visa - GOV.UK website. We would encourage all applicants to review the criteria carefully to understand their eligibility for sponsorship. Employer certification / accreditation badges Applicant requirements You must have appropriate UK professional registration. This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service. Documents to download
- Job Description & Person Specification (PDF, 257.8KB)
- Refer a Friend (PDF, 160.5KB)
- Staff Benefits (PDF, 888.5KB)
Apply online now Further details / informal visits contact Name
Catherine Colston Job title
Health Team Manager Email address
Telephone number
01553 666680