Job summary
A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen for a band 7 Clinical Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join our prison mental health services at HMP Durham, to cover the Integrated Support Unit and Mental Health Team
You would also be joining a wider supportive and dynamic prison SLT team who work into many prisons in the North of England who meet regularly, provide supervision and develop new resources and projects. You would also be part of the Mental Health multi -disciplinary teams onsite in the prison.
The post holder will assess and provide intervention for a range of communication difficulties for men within these prison setting. They will work alongside a team of health care professionals (including nurses, occupational therapist, psychologists, psychiatrists and support workers) and partner colleagues (including prison staff, primary health care providers). As such, the post holder must be committed to collaborative working and have an excellent teamwork ethos.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will have a degree in Speech and Language Therapy and have significant experience working in mental health or learning disability services and complex needs. They will have a good knowledge of related issues and national directives and a working understanding of the criminal justice system. They will be expected to facilitate and promote the wider understanding of and utilisation of SLT into these community justice settings.
The post holder should be motivated by the opportunity to become part of the growing SLT workforce working into justice settings. They will be responsible for leading, shaping and developing SLT roles by demonstrating excellence in clinical care, providing training to the team and promoting a culture of evidence-based practice and person-centred care.
About us
We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.
From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care --our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.
We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.
We're committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.
We won't rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.
The post will be subject to CTC Prison vetting and to work in a category A prison you must have been resident in the UK for the past three years.
Date posted
24 March 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 7
Salary
£46,148 to £52,809 a year per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Flexible working, Compressed hours
Reference number
346-FMH-031-25
Job locations
HMP Durham
Old Elvet
Durham
DH1 5YA
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description for further detailed information regarding the role and main responsibilities.
Additional informal enquiries: Tracey Forster, SLT Clinical Lead H&J.
Person Specification
Qualifications/Experience
Essential
1. Pre-registration qualification in speech and language therapy as recognised by HCPC
2. Registration with HCPC
3. Evidence of post-registration Masters level learning
4. Or in the absence of masters level learning - equivalent experience in relevant area.. relevant level 7 courses, researcher role, quality improvement activity, leading service development, project management, strategic leadership, NICE involvement, service evaluation.
5. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) level 7 (SLT =8) for International recruits
Desirable
6. Experience of working in Multidisciplinary Team (SW essential criteria)
7. Complex clinical risk assessment and application in practice
8. Substantial knowledge of evidence - based practice in designated specialist area
Experience
Essential
9. Substantial clinical experience of complex speech and language therapy delivery in relevant specialist area in collaboration with service users, families and relevant others
10. Significant experience of supporting people with mental health conditions, learning disability or autism
Desirable
11. Comprehensive awareness of professional standards and their application to practice
12. Experience of participating in quality improvement activities, service development, and/or project management.
13. Experience of participating in clinical governance activities including clinical audit, quality assurance of practice
Knowledge
Essential
14. Significant understanding of the needs of service users with mental health conditions or learning disabilities or autism
Desirable
15. Participation in research and development. critical appraisal of research papers, service evaluation, small scale or large scale research.
16. Highly competent in clinical supervision of staff and/or students.
17. Substantial experience in design and delivery of high quality and effective training
18. Substantial experience of application of relevant legislation (. Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act) in practice.