Job summary 1 x 37.5 hours per week We have an exciting opportunity for a full-time Speech & Language Therapist to join the Wakefield Adult Learning Disabilities Community Health Team. The post is being offered as either a Band 5- 6 development position or Band 6 for a suitably qualified clinician. The successful Band 5 candidate will be supported through the required Preceptorship period. We also welcome applications from Band 6 candidates who are not qualified Dysphagia assessors, who if successful, would be offered the opportunity to complete the appropriate dysphagia course. You will join a well-established multi-disciplinary team which includes Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, LD community Nurses, Psychiatry, Psychology, MDT Intensive Support Team, as well as Therapy Assistants and Healthcare Support Workers. For further information or to arrange a visit to the team please contact Komal Shires (on 07917283602 or komal.shiresswyt.nhs.uk ); or Kaye Millard (on 07827083478 or kaye.millardswyt.nhs.uk). At the time of advertising, this role does meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. We look forward to receiving your application. Main duties of the job You will be a highly motivated and conscientious individual, who has the desire to work creatively with people with learning disabilities. Experience supporting people in a variety of activities and community settings would be an advantage. You will be required to use your Speech and Language Therapy skills to support the assessment and delivery of high-quality therapeutic interventions to address the holistic needs of service users with a focus on communication and dysphagia. You will be responsible for a defined caseload with service users of all levels of ability. Ability to work autonomously as well as part of a wider team, working alongside the multidisciplinary team, in service users homes, day services, respite facilities, and supported living environments. You will have an understanding, of the complex needs of people with learning disabilities and demonstrate qualities to deliver safe, effective and personalised care ensuring processes are followed in accordance with Trust values and objectives. Due to the nature of the role, it is essential that applicants are able to travel independently across the locality and have access to a suitable vehicle for business purposes. All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect patients. About us We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative. Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers. We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities. Being a foundation Trust means were accountable to our members, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust. Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment. We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible. Date posted 06 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 6 Salary £29,970 to £44,962 a year Band 5 or Band 6 depending on experience Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Flexible working Reference number C9378-W1253 Job locations Block 9, Fieldhead Hospital Ouchthorpe Lane Wakefield WF1 3SP Job description Job responsibilities Both the Band 5 and Band 6 job description and person specification for this post can be found in the supporting documents section. We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. We strongly discourage this and will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form. Job description Job responsibilities Both the Band 5 and Band 6 job description and person specification for this post can be found in the supporting documents section. We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. We strongly discourage this and will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form. Person Specification Personal Attributes Essential BAND 5/BAND 6 Ability to implement all of the 6C values & behaviours expected of health care professionals. Values contribution of others. Ability to motivate self and others. Organisational skills. Effective communication skills, verbal and written. Willingness to work flexibly. A Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability). Desirable BAND 5 Hold a full driving licence. Training Essential BAND 5 To be willing to undertake post graduate training to further skills, knowledge and expertise. BAND 6 Post graduate Dysphagia training or ability to successfully complete the training within 2 years. Evidence of ongoing training and relevant post graduate courses in communication and dysphagia. Desirable BAND 5 Evidence of post qualification training. BAND 6 Post graduate training relevant to Learning Disability. Physical Attributes Essential BAND 5/BAND 6 Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy). Qualifications Essential BAND 5 Degree in speech and language pathology or therapy or equivalent. Royal College of Speech and Language Therapist Certificate to Practice. Registration with Health Care Professions Council (HCPC). BAND 6 Degree in Speech and Language Therapy or equivalent. Registration with Health Care Professions Council (HCPC). RCSLT Registration. Special Knowledge/Skills Essential BAND 5 A demonstrable range of core professional skills, including familiarity with a range of clinical protocols. Demonstrable knowledge of communication disorders presenting in a range of clients with communication difficulties in order to provide assessment, diagnosis and intervention. Flexible clinical skills which take account of the needs of the individual client. Demonstrable knowledge of issues related to the delivery of training to a range of recipients. Insight into issues of confidentiality in the context of health care. Insight into the requirement for excellence in clinical record keeping. An awareness of the functions of related professions, agencies and legislation relating to services to clients. BAND 6 Specialist knowledge and application of Speech & Language Therapy assessments and interventions relevant to learning disability. Extensive clinical practice skills including individual and group work. Understanding of and ability to use appropriate outcome measures. Ability to work autonomously and set own priorities. Ability to analyse professional and ethical issues. Supervisory / appraisal skills. Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance. Ability to organise and respond efficiently to complex information. Computer literacy. Ability to build effective working relationships. Detailed knowledge of clinical governance and its application. Desirable BAND 5 Knowledge and understanding of cultural and diversity issues. An awareness of screening procedure for swallowing difficulties. Autism Awareness. BAND 6 Knowledge and understanding of cultural and diversity issues. An understanding of the specific contribution of Speech and Language Therapists in Learning Disability Services. Experience Essential BAND 5 Ability to demonstrate knowledge of working with people with Learning Disabilities. BAND 6 Post registration experience including in learning disabilities. Documented evidence of continuing professional development. Supervision of staff and / or students. Desirable BAND 5 Experience of working with people with a learning disability in a clinical setting. Previous experience as a speech and language therapist working in the NHS. Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team. BAND 6 Leadership / first line management experience. Experience of a range of learning disability settings. Supervision of staff and / or students. Person Specification Personal Attributes Essential BAND 5/BAND 6 Ability to implement all of the 6C values & behaviours expected of health care professionals. Values contribution of others. Ability to motivate self and others. Organisational skills. Effective communication skills, verbal and written. Willingness to work flexibly. A Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability). Desirable BAND 5 Hold a full driving licence. Training Essential BAND 5 To be willing to undertake post graduate training to further skills, knowledge and expertise. BAND 6 Post graduate Dysphagia training or ability to successfully complete the training within 2 years. Evidence of ongoing training and relevant post graduate courses in communication and dysphagia. Desirable BAND 5 Evidence of post qualification training. BAND 6 Post graduate training relevant to Learning Disability. Physical Attributes Essential BAND 5/BAND 6 Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy). Qualifications Essential BAND 5 Degree in speech and language pathology or therapy or equivalent. Royal College of Speech and Language Therapist Certificate to Practice. Registration with Health Care Professions Council (HCPC). BAND 6 Degree in Speech and Language Therapy or equivalent. Registration with Health Care Professions Council (HCPC). RCSLT Registration. Special Knowledge/Skills Essential BAND 5 A demonstrable range of core professional skills, including familiarity with a range of clinical protocols. Demonstrable knowledge of communication disorders presenting in a range of clients with communication difficulties in order to provide assessment, diagnosis and intervention. Flexible clinical skills which take account of the needs of the individual client. Demonstrable knowledge of issues related to the delivery of training to a range of recipients. Insight into issues of confidentiality in the context of health care. Insight into the requirement for excellence in clinical record keeping. An awareness of the functions of related professions, agencies and legislation relating to services to clients. BAND 6 Specialist knowledge and application of Speech & Language Therapy assessments and interventions relevant to learning disability. Extensive clinical practice skills including individual and group work. Understanding of and ability to use appropriate outcome measures. Ability to work autonomously and set own priorities. Ability to analyse professional and ethical issues. Supervisory / appraisal skills. Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance. Ability to organise and respond efficiently to complex information. Computer literacy. Ability to build effective working relationships. Detailed knowledge of clinical governance and its application. Desirable BAND 5 Knowledge and understanding of cultural and diversity issues. An awareness of screening procedure for swallowing difficulties. Autism Awareness. BAND 6 Knowledge and understanding of cultural and diversity issues. An understanding of the specific contribution of Speech and Language Therapists in Learning Disability Services. Experience Essential BAND 5 Ability to demonstrate knowledge of working with people with Learning Disabilities. BAND 6 Post registration experience including in learning disabilities. Documented evidence of continuing professional development. Supervision of staff and / or students. Desirable BAND 5 Experience of working with people with a learning disability in a clinical setting. Previous experience as a speech and language therapist working in the NHS. Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team. BAND 6 Leadership / first line management experience. Experience of a range of learning disability settings. Supervision of staff and / or students. Disclosure and Barring Service Check 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. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check 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. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust Address Block 9, Fieldhead Hospital Ouchthorpe Lane Wakefield WF1 3SP Employer's website https://www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)