Speech & Language Therapist for Acute Services in Radlett

Are you passionate about making a real impact in healthcare through compassionate, patient-centred care? We’re seeking an experienced Senior Speech and Language Therapist (SSLT) to lead transformative change in reducing restrictive practices within our healthcare setting. This role offers the chance to shape patient care, influence policy, and lead a dedicated team focused on dignity and autonomy.

The SSLT will be at the forefront of transforming in-patient services into models of least restrictive, person-centred care. This dynamic leader will drive evidence-based practices and set professional standards, especially for complex cases involving challenging behaviours and enhanced observations. As an autonomous practitioner, the SSLT will deliver advanced clinical expertise, offering vital coaching, feedback, and support to empower clinical teams.

The SSLT will be part of a team spearheading the Trust’s Safe and Supportive Observations strategy, promote therapeutic, recovery-focused interventions, and lead crucial 14+ day independent reviews. Their impact will extend to shaping educational programs and clinical guidelines, ensuring our staff possess up-to-date skills and knowledge. Providing expertise across the Trust, the SSLT will contribute to the Safety, Experience and Effectiveness committees.

Main duties of the job:

• Lead the implementation of the SASO strategy which includes leadership of relevant stakeholders recruited to the programme.
• Involvement in the development of the Trust SASO educational programme ensuring that the national standards are adhered to.
• Provide expert clinical practice and leadership for SASO, which will involve providing clinical advice, coaching support and constructive challenge to colleagues in respect to service users on high level of observation and encouraging the least restrictive option wherever possible.
• To promote co-production to manage enhance observation which would involve working closely and communicating with service users, their families and carers.

About us:

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is an outstanding organisation with ambitions to match. We are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of ‘Outstanding’ from the Care Quality Commission, and our aim is to be the leading provider of mental health and specialist learning disability services in the country.

Our family of over 4000 members of staff provide health and social care for over 400,000 people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings.

The care we provide makes a fantastic difference to the lives of our service users, their families and carers – everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout: Welcoming, Kind, Positive, Respectful, Professional.

Details:

• Date posted: 04 August 2025
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change Band 7
• Salary: £50,008 to £56,908 a year per annum, pro rata (inclusive of 5% HCAS)
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working
• Reference number: 367-LD&F-9604
• Job locations: Kingfisher Court Kingsley Green Radlett WD7 9HQ

Person Specification:

• Essential: BSc/MSc/PG Dip Speech and Language Therapy, HCPC registration, Evidence of clinical post registration training, Proficient use of Microsoft Office and associated packages, Practice Placement qualification, Awareness of Eating, Drinking and Swallowing (dysphagia) needs.
• Desirable: Membership of RCSLT, First line management training, Dysphagia Training.

• Essential: Experience of working with people with mental health problems and/or learning disability in a variety of health and social care settings, Applied experience of providing both individual and group work interventions, Highly Specialist knowledge and experience of using and applying Speech and Language Therapy assessment tools and interventions, Documented evidence of continuing professional development, Experience in providing advice, support and clinical supervision to junior staff and/or students.
• Desirable: Post registration experience in acute mental health, Involvement in recruiting staff, Experience in research or audit, Previous experience of having worked at Band 7 level.

Expected salary: £50,008 – 56,908 per year

Location: Radlett, Hertfordshire