Job overview

An opportunity has arisen for a full-time band 6 Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to work into the Specialist Children and Young Persons Inpatients Service.  

We are seeking applications from registered Speech and Language Therapists with experience of working with children who have mental health needs, behaviours which challenge and/or a learning disability.  We are interested in appointing a dedicated and committed individual that possesses a desire to work with children and young people.  You will need to demonstrate your ability to engage and work collaboratively with others and understand complex systems in order to support effective pathways.

Lotus Ward provides comprehensive assessment and treatment for patients under the age of 18 years with early onset psychosis or complex mental health disorders. 

Ferndene provides comprehensive assessment and treatment for patients under the age of 18 years and is made up of the following units: medium secure unit, general admission mental health unit, psychiatric intensive care unit, low secure unit, and a specialist learning disability and autism unit.

Lotus ward is situated at Acklam Road Hospital, Middlesborough and Ferndene is situated in Prudhoe, Northumberland.  Either site can be agreed as your main base however you will need to travel to both sites during the working week within your working hours.

Main duties of the job

You will have a particular interest and enthusiasm to work in this area.  You will need to be confident in providing high quality, evidence-based Speech and Language Therapy assessments and interventions and have an understanding and experience of working with children and young people with mental health difficulties in complex environments.

You will possess excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills and be able to contribute to the existing multi-disciplinary team.  

You should have qualifications and experience relevant in this clinical field and work well as part of a close team whilst also 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.  You will contribute to, write and review care plans and provide high quality service user centred care.  

Working for our organisation

The Speech and Language Therapy Service in Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust is continuing 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.  You 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.