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Job summary

Main area
Mental Health
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 8a
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Part time - 22.5 hours per week
Job ref
354-CO-21742
Employer
Sussex Partnership NHS FoundationTrust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Portland House
Town
Worthing
Salary
£55,690 - £62,682 Pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
30/10/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Sussex Partnership NHS FoundationTrust logo

Principal Speech and Language Therapist - Mental Health and Dementia

NHS AfC: Band 8a

Come and join us

We're looking for people who share our values (compassion, accountability and optimism) to help us provide high quality care to the patients, carers, families and local communities we serve. We specialise in providing NHS mental health and learning disability services.

So what can we offer you in return?

We're an organisation which puts people first. We'll do everything possible to help you feel respected, valued and included. We'll help you learn, acquire new skills and gain further experience to support your career development. And we'll provide the opportunity for you to bring your fresh ideas to work about how we can do things differently and continue improving.

You will also be joining a health and care system committed to working together to do the best we can for the communities we serve. Above all, at Sussex Partnership you'll have the chance to make a difference to the lives of the patients, carers and families across our communities.

As a Trust we are committed in making a difference. Your development is important to us, so don't forget to ask us during interview what opportunities we can offer. We can offer fully funded lifelong learning opportunities such as an apprenticeship from GCSE to Masters level.

If you like the sound of that, then come and join our team.

Job overview

The post-holder will be responsible for assessing and managing their own specialist caseload of patients/clients across the service.  

They will act as the Speech and Language Therapy clinical lead across Divisions, covering Dementia and Adult Mental Health In- Patient services, providing expert clinical advice and input for clients with highly complex needs, where there may be barriers to understanding.

The post-holder will lead on the development of their specialist service, playing a key role in shaping new service initiatives and strategic plans in conjunction with the Trust wide Lead for Speech and Language Therapy. They will provide professional leadership, clinical supervision, and mentorship for staff within the service, ensuring that high-quality care is maintained in line with professional, national, and local standards.

The post-holder will also take a leading role in clinical audits and service improvements to support service development and innovation. As well as being responsible for developing and delivering training in their specialist area as required

Main duties of the job

The post-holder will lead the Speech and Language Therapy Dementia and Adult Mental Health In Patient Service across Divisions, driving the development of clinical initiatives and strategic plans in collaboration with the Trust wide Lead for Speech and Language Therapy and operational managers.

They will provide clinical leadership, expert opinion, and guidance to ensure high-quality, evidence-based practice across the service.  They will work within a wide range of codes of practice and professional guidelines, interpreting these to apply in the specialist area. 

Working for our organisation

We provide specialist NHS mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services and care for people of all ages at home, in hospital and through our community services in Sussex.

When you join us, you'll be able to take advantage of our wide range of rewards and benefits. Here are some of the perks that make working at Sussex Partnership a great choice:

  • Flexible Working
  • Generous pension and holiday entitlement
  • Training and development
  • Discounts and savings
  • Staff networks
  • Staff wellbeing
  • Free parking

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

  • Clinical Supervision & Leadership: Provide clinical supervision and appraisal to Speech and Language Therapy staff, ensuring high standards of care, professional development, and performance monitoring.
  • Assess, Plan, and Supervise Interventions: Provide direct Speech and Language Therapy interventions based on job plan requirements for role, conducting specialist Speech and Language Therapy assessments, developing treatment plans including functional assessments and targeted therapeutic approaches.
  •  Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Work closely with the multidisciplinary team, contributing to care planning, case discussions, and supporting colleagues with complex cases.
  • Risk Assessment & Compliance: Conduct risk assessments for service users, ensuring adherence to all relevant legislation and Trust policies, take a lead on more complex cases requiring collaborative intervention including representation at risk panels as an expert panel member.
  • Service Development & Evidence-Based Practice: Collaborate with senior team members to propose service improvements based on evidence-based practices, client needs, and healthcare policies. Taking a lead on some development areas as required.
  • Quality Improvement & Audit: Identify service gaps, contribute to audits, and support quality improvement initiatives to enhance service effectiveness.
  • Governance & Professional Standards: Support investigations related to grievances, capability, disciplinary matters, and professional/ethical concerns, ensuring appropriate resolutions.
  • Research: Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of emerging evidence in Speech and Language Therapy practice and how this will be integrated into day-to-day practice in the service area.
  • Strategic Representation & Advocacy: Represent Speech and Language Therapy at meetings, advocating for its role in service delivery and innovation.
  • Community & Partnership Development: Work in co-production with service users and carers. Strengthen connections with voluntary sectors, carers, and statutory services to enhance service users’ access to community networks, including employment and leisure opportunities.
  • Complaints & Incident Investigations: Assist in investigating informal complaints, drafting responses, and contributing to patient safety investigation (PSII) reviews as required.
  • Operational & Workforce Management: Support colleagues in recruitment, induction, and workforce planning for Speech and Language Therapy staff.
  • Service Demand & Workload Management: Assist senior clinicians in monitoring and responding to service demands and workload pressures.
  • Expert Consultation: Provide specialist Speech and Language Therapy expertise to shape and influence Divisional services.
  • Effective Communication: Ensure clear and consistent communication across all service areas, external agencies, service users, and their support networks.
  • Professional Growth & CPD: Maintain an up-to-date CPD portfolio, participate in training, and take responsibility for ongoing professional development.
  • Collaboration Across the Trust: Maintain professional links with lead Speech and Language Therapists across the Trust to enhance service provision.
  • Mandatory Training & Compliance: Ensure adherence to all Trust-mandated training requirements.
  • Student Education & Placement Management: Act as a Practice Placement Educator, overseeing Speech and Language Therapy student placements for the specialist area.
  • Financial Awareness: Maintain knowledge of budgetary procedures relevant to service delivery and manage delegated budgets as required.
  • Confidentiality & Data Management: Adhere to confidentiality policies and ensure accurate record-keeping in line with Trust guidelines.
  • Additional Duties: Undertake other responsibilities as assigned by the Line Manager, flexibly contributing to the evolving needs of the service.

Person specification

Essential

Essential criteria
  • • MSc / Degree / Diploma in Speech and Language Therapy
  • • Evidence of master level post qualification study or equivalent experience
  • • Evidence of continuing professional development
  • • Registration with the HCPC as a Speech and Language Therapist
  • • Practice placement qualification
  • • Extensive experience as a qualified Speech and Language Therapist, in a mental health/learning disability/autism service
  • • Extensive experience of working with people with Mental Health problems / Learning Disabilities
  • • Experience of supervising other staff
  • • Leadership experience
  • • Evidence of post-qualification training in a relevant field
  • • Proven written and general communication skills within a multi-disciplinary setting
  • • Experience in applying a range of assessment tools and a comprehensive knowledge of Speech and Language Therapy clinical approaches used in Mental health / Learning disabilities
  • • Experience in using evidence based Speech and Language Therapy assessments
  • • Experience of service/ practice innovation
  • • Experience in Quality Improvement
  • • Experience in working collaboratively with other agencies
  • • Expert knowledge of Speech and Language Therapy interventions
  • • Ability to supervise and develop junior staff
  • • Lead others in the development of knowledge, ideas and work practices including policies and strategies
  • • Resolution of professional/ethical issues
  • • Ability to communicate complex condition related information to service users, carers and colleagues, and resolve any barriers there may be to understanding
  • • Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with relevant stakeholders
  • • Ability to reflect on and critically appraise own performance
  • • Ability to think strategically and across services
  • • Ability to implement and suggest changes to polices, as well as developing specific polices for the specialist area
  • • Ability to assess, develop interventions and monitor needs for a range of highly complex conditions within the specialist area, considering clinical governance issues, and the content of expert advice
  • • Ability to co-ordinate Speech and Language Therapy activity across the area in collaboration with operational managers
  • • Ability to identify the needs of the service as a whole and to prioritise accordingly
  • • Ability to work alone where required and as an active member of a team
  • • Effective time management and allocation of resources
  • • Ability to work with a range of codes of practice and professional guidelines and ability to interpret these for the specialist service
  • • Ability to set up and maintain clinical and professional supervision system for junior staff, including appraisal, allocation of work, as well as the recruitment and appointment of new staff
  • • Management of delegated budget when appropriate
  • • Ability to use Trust IT systems including e-mail and electronic clinical records
  • • Ability to design and deliver complex clinical audit activity and to be active in considering research activity in the clinical area
  • • Ability to participate in training in de-escalation techniques and breakaway Ability to be able to deal with conflicting demands. Requirement to move patients and equipment during functional assessment and treatment
  • • Ability to concentrate on complex client assessment and intervention and deal with interruptions to workflow
  • • Ability to be able to deal with conflicting demands
  • • Ability to deal with distressing or emotional circumstances due to complex nature of work with service users
  • • Ability to carry out investigations into untoward incidents which may have distressing content
  • • Frequent exposure to unpleasant working conditions - whilst carrying out functional assessment, or home visits to unsanitary environments
  • • Demonstrate support for the values and beliefs of the Care Group and those of the Trust
  • • Flexible approach – willing to work as part of a team and assist colleagues
  • • Demonstrate an understanding of the practices of Human Rights in the delivery of this role
  • • Commitment to providing a quality service within a team
  • • Ability to travel across sites
  • • Punctual and flexible across hours of work when required
Desirable criteria
  • • Management / Leadership training
  • • Research experience
  • • Experience in clinical audit
  • • Experience in a range of clinical settings
  • • Management experience
  • • Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)
  • • Lived experience of Mental Health issues

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyDisability confident leaderDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - BronzeCare quality commission - GoodArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardStep into healthPride In Veterans

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
Gemma Dorer
Job title
Director of Allied Health Professions
Email address
[email protected]
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