Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Job summary
This Band 6 Speech and Language Therapy post is within the Community Learning Disability Service (CLDS) and the post holder will be actively involved in the wider Speech and Language Therapy network across learning disability services in ELFT.

CLDS is an integrated multidisciplinary health and social care service comprised of three care programs focused upon the primary needs of the service users - Transition; Community Health and Well-being; Mental Health and Behavioural Support. The post holder will be expected to work across the three care programs as required.

The post holder will be expected to carry a caseload, independently completing assessments and interventions, including assessment and management of complex communication needs; dysphagia(eating and drinking) difficulties and advising on inclusive communication strategies for people with learning disabilities within Tower Hamlets.

The post holder will be expected to assess eligibility of referrals made to CLDS and cover core service functions such as Duty.

The post holder will be actively involved in service development projects and will be expected to keep up to date with developments in the learning disability field, contributing to audit and research as appropriate.

Main duties of the job
To provide expert advice and specialist speech and language therapy assessment and intervention for adults with learning disabilities and their carers/families, including assessments to determine eligibility for services.

To ensure that speech and language therapy input within CLDS reflects current best practice and is evidence-based.

To collate both quantitative and qualitative information regarding speech and language therapy referrals, interventions and outcomes and use this information to inform service development.

To be actively involved in service development initiatives both within CLDS and in the wider context providing an expert speech and language therapy perspective.

To promote integrated and collaborative working both within and across CLDS, ELFT, LBTH and with external providers.

To work closely with other disciplines within CLDS; other Primary and Secondary health care services; social care teams and with other organisations and agencies that support people with learning disabilities in Tower Hamlets

To carry out eligibility assessments for adults referred to CLDS.

About us
Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive - so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.

Details
Date posted: 18 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £47,951 to £56,863 a year per annum Inc HCA
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 363-TH8168598
Job locations: Beaumont House, Mile End Hospital, Bancroft Road, London, E1 4DG, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
Kindly refer to the job description and person specification that is attached to the vacancy profile.

Person Specification
Education/ Qualification/ Training
Essential

• Degree or PG Diploma in Clinical Communication Studies from RCSLT approved training establishment
• Current HCPC Registration and licence to practice
• Membership of RCSLT
• Clinical skills in communication assessment and therapy (including AAC, signing and symbol systems)

Desirable

• Post-basic qualification in dysphagia
• Training in student supervision

Experience
Essential

• Specialist knowledge acquired through degree, experience of working with communication impairment and specialist post graduate training. oMinimum of 18 months' post registration clinical experience working with adults/children with learning disabilitiesree, experience of working with communication impairment and specialist post graduate training. oMinimum of 18 months' post registration clinical experience working with adults/children with learning disabilities
• Minimum of 18 months' post registration clinical experience working with adults/children with learning disabilities
• Evidence of experience of assessment and intervention with adults or children and young people with learning disabilities, including associated physical disabilities, sensory disabilities and/or mental health problems
• Experience of using electronic recording systems and workflows to document interventions and extract data

Desirable

• Skills in clinical supervision of junior SLT's and students.
• oExperience of research and audit

Knowledge and Skills
Essential

• oGood clinical skills/knowledge across a wide range of dysphagia and communication difficulties
• oDemonstrate excellent communication and interactive skills with clients/carers, colleagues, management, staff in other organisations and able to communicate in emotive atmosphere using a high degree of tact and empathy
• oAbility to adapt communication to the communication needs of others including according to cognitive ability, language and culture.
• oTo have highly developed communication skills including knowledge of augmentative communication systems (signing and symbol use)
• oEvidence of knowledge of current legislation and government policy and how it affects the provision of services to adults with learning disabilities
• oEvidence of knowledge of current models of treatment, care and approaches appropriate for working with adults with learning disabilities, including associated physical disabilities, sensory disabilities and/or mental health problems
• oUnderstanding of Equal Opportunities and how this affects staff and service users
• oSpecialist knowledge, understanding and application of Speech and Language Therapy process relating to client centred practice
• oAbility to set own priorities, working to deadlines and under pressure

Desirable

• Evidence of knowledge of current legislation and government policy and how it affects the provision of services to adults with learning disabilities

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name: East London NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Beaumont House, Mile End Hospital, Bancroft Road, London, E1 4DG, United Kingdom
Employer's website:

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist, Bianca Gavranich, [email protected], 07920232601