Job Description

People with intellectual disabilities and autistic people with intellectual disabilities disproportionally experience communication barriers when accessing health care.



We are excited to be advertise this full time (permanent) band 6 Specialist Speech & Language Therapist role to work with the Acute Liaison Team in acute and inpatient settings across Nottinghamshire for 3 days a week. For the remaining 2 days, the successful candidate will work within our Community Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities teams to act as the link between inpatient and community Speech & Language Therapy teams.



You will be well supported by senior colleagues, with many opportunities for peer support. The role involves close work with colleagues from a range of disciplines and the post is supported by an assistant SLT.



You will enjoy close links with our team and our SLT colleagues within the East Midlands, and benefit from excellent levels of support, supervision, IT and CPD opportunities.



Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. The cost of the DBS application is 26.40 (standard) or 54.40 (enhanced), this cost will be deducted from your salary over the first 2 months of employment.



You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. An annual fee of 16 per year applies.



You will be contributing to a multi-disciplinary service supporting adults with intellectual disabilities to access acute health care in hospital settings across Nottinghamshire.



You will liaise and advice with families, carers, and health care colleagues in how to support adults with lifelong communication needs during their inpatient care.



This role focuses on making health settings accessible from a communication and sensory perspective. You will be collating existing communication information, as well as assessing patients' communication needs to help inform care plans and 'all about me' hospital passports. In the community you will be involved in making planned health appointments accessible by being a link between community and inpatient services.



In addition, you will be working in Community Intellectual Disabilities Teams supporting with communication (from a health and mental perspective) as wells as carrying a small dysphagia caseload.



#TeamNottsHC comprises over 11,000 dedicated colleagues who #MakeADifference every day. We deliver intellectual disability, mental health, community health, forensic, and offender healthcare services across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and South Yorkshire. Our care is provided from over 200 sites, spanning community locations, acute settings, and secure environments, including prisons.



We are one of the largest mental health and community Trusts in the East Midlands and one of Nottinghamshire's biggest employers. We also host national and regional services, such as the National High Secure Deaf Service and the Nottingham Centre for Transgender Health.



We offer a variety of employee-led staff networks, including Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) groups, the Green Champions network, the Freedom to Speak Up network, the Health and Wellbeing Champions network, and the Menopause Champions network. These networks play a vital role in supporting our diverse workforce and promoting a culture of inclusivity.



The health and wellbeing of our colleagues is a top priority. We invest significantly in this through our in-house occupational health and staff counselling services, supported by a dedicated Health and Wellbeing team.



The Trust is committed to reducing its carbon emissions, with a specialised Energy and Environmental team working to ensure compliance with environmental legislation, enhance our environmental performance, and achieve our net-zero commitment



Specialist speech, language, and communication assessments focusing on functional communication and what reasonable adjustments (Accessible Information Standards) should be in place to support the person's needs.



You will be responsible for contributing to the identification of speech, language and communication needs, through understanding neurodevelopmental communication differences, and highlighting communication risks and reasonable adjustments when formulating as team and considering risk management.



In the community, you will be involved in the assessment, formulation, and recommendations to support the individual's eating, drinking, and swallowing needs.



The role requires a high level of clinical and professional expertise in order that adults with speech, language and communication needs can benefit from a well co-ordinated pro-active, specialist, efficient and effective speech and language therapy service within the designated setting.



Co-working with your MDT colleagues, families, and carers to enable their inclusive communication practices in their relationships, care, and interactions with the individual.



Attendance at meetings with and on behalf of Acute Liaison Service, Community Intellectual & Development Teams, and the patients you are supporting.