Speech And Language Therapist in Plymouth

Oakhill Secure Training Centre is operated by G4S Care and Justice Services. The centre provides accommodation across three blocks for up to 80 children (male and female) aged 12 to 17 years who are serving a custodial sentence or who are remanded to custody by the courts. Children are not permitted to leave the centre and they have all their healthcare, educational and religious needs met within the centre.

The Speech and Language Therapist will provide specialist assessment, therapy and communication support to young people in custody. Healthcare delivered should be evidence‑based, person‑centred and non‑judgemental. In accordance with HCPC and RCSLT standards, you will exchange knowledge, abilities and experience to foster an open learning atmosphere and motivate team members to pursue further professional growth. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with other MDT members in line with DRPA and G4S policies and procedures. Daily duties remain consistent, with additional responsibilities depending on the needs of the department and priorities agreed with the Head of Healthcare and Primary Care Lead.

Main Responsibilities

• You will deliver specialist speech and language therapy to young people in a secure setting, carrying out detailed assessments and providing regular individual and group sessions targeting spoken language, social communication, emotional expression and functional life skills.
• You will create personalised communication plans and contribute written advice to education, behaviour support and safety plans.
• Working closely with the wider team, you will coach and support staff in recognising and responding to communication difficulties — particularly for young people with autism, attention difficulties or neurodevelopmental conditions — and develop accessible resources to promote a communication‑friendly environment across the centre.
• You will maintain accurate records, participate in service development and audits, and uphold HCPC and RCSLT professional standards throughout.

Person Specification – What we’re looking for

• You will hold a degree in Speech and Language Therapy with current HCPC registration and RCSLT membership, and have experience working with children or young people with communication difficulties, autism or emotional and behavioural needs.
• You will be calm, confident and able to engage effectively with young people who present with challenging behaviour, with strong communication and organisational skills.
• Experience in a secure, youth justice or specialist education setting is desirable, as is knowledge of trauma‑informed approaches and experience contributing to behaviour plans or delivering staff training.

General Information

The post holder may be required to perform other relevant and appropriate duties as reasonably needed. This list of duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive. This job description is subject to regular review and appropriate modification.

Benefits

• Pension salary scheme available
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): confidential 24/7 support
• Access to perks at work

Please Note: 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. In order to apply, all applicants need to have been living in the United Kingdom (with residency in the UK, such as UK/Irish/EU Passport or an Indefinite Leave to Remain Visa) for the last 5 years with no more than a 28‑day break being outside of the UK and no gaps in employment during this time.