Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

We are a national tertiary service committed to providing, across the south of England, a high-quality integrated health and social care engagement for Deaf adults in collaboration with the clients' locality community mental health team. Our inpatient unit provides 14 specialist beds to accommodate referrals from across the south of England. The Services engagement includes supporting local services with specialist assessment and treatment interventions for Deaf adults with a severe and enduring mental health presentation and if assessed to be necessary, supporting an inpatient admission for the most acutely unwell deaf adults within a full communication environment. These assessments will also include working with challenging behaviour, learning disability, neurodiversity presentations including autism and ADHD, working with trauma/EUPD, psychiatric interventions, psychological interventions including CBT, MBT, EMDR, specialist social work, occupational therapy and speech and
language assessment.
Our Team includes consultant psychiatrists, specialist CPN and inpatient Nurses, specialist Occupational therapists, specialist social worker, specialist psychological therapists, specialist clinical neuropsychologist.
The service also works with highly experienced BSL interpreters who are specialists in working in the mental health field., To provide a tertiary level speech and language service to deaf adults with a mental health diagnosis whose first language is primarily British Sign Language (BSL).
To use specialist knowledge to independently assess and offer a different diagnosis on clients speech, language and communication in relations to their deafness, mental health problem and any other diagnoses (i.e LD, ASD, LDS, etc)
To use holistic, client centred approach, gathering and synthesis information from other professionals and relatives/carers to ensure a full understanding of the person's communication need is obtained.
To plan, develop and provide specialist SLT advice, recommendations and interventions programmes for this highly specialist caseload using to create innovative ways of working to promoting and maximise individual potential as well as plan for and advise others regarding communication need within the context of an MDT and in consultation with the client and relatives/carers
To utilise different ways of offering intervention (individual, group and multidisciplinary) including collaborative working with Deaf and hearing colleagues.
To demonstrate specialist expertise in the management of adult deaf client including support with relevant audiological equipment including hearing aid and cochlear implants and help arrange clinical referrals for this purpose when necessary.
At South West London St Georges Mental Health Trust we are committed to providing services which embrace diversity and that promote equality of opportunity. We are a Disability Committed Employer, and welcome applications from all sections of the community and people of all protected characteristics. We are Members of Stonewall Diversity Champions and Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion.
As part of the Trust's commitment to Equalities and Diversity, the Trust supports the establishment of Staff Networks groups to promote diversity in the workplace:
+ BME (Evolve) Staff Network
+ Christian Staff Network
+ DiverseAbility
+ Deaf Staff Network
+ Mental Health Staff Forum
+ Women's Staff Network
+ LGBTQIA+
We are committed to supporting the Armed Forces Community and has signed the Armed Forces Covenant.
We provide reasonable adjustments to the interview process for any candidates with a disability.
Please note:
+ That the closing date listed is a guide only and that the vacancy may close earlier should sufficient number of applicants have been received
+ That once you have submitted your application you agree to your application being transferred to a 3^rd party e-recruitment system
+ That should you not have heard from us within three weeks from the closing date your application has not successful
+ That priority consideration for applications may be given to at-risk NHS employees
+ That should you be successful and appointed, you authorise South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust to confirm your previous NHS service via an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process
+ That your employment is offered subject to successful completion of a Probationary Period depending on your Band (except medical roles)
+ That we are a smoke-free Trust

The expectation is that you will bring a minimum of three years post qualification experience to the role primarily within a health care setting and that you will be able to demonstrate clinical experience working with deafness, language deprivation and mental health disorders.
There is an expectation that you will achieve a minimum of level 2 BSL within 3 years and Level 3 within 5 years with the objective that you will be able to hold 1 to 1 assessments in sign language with your clients. In the interim interpreters are there to support communication. British Sign Language training is provided.
The work involves taking the lead role in assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of disorders of language and language deprivation and communication for this specialist caseload. This will include the medical assessment of clients who have difficulties eating , drinking and swallowing.
You will be expected to work independently but also with external professionals to deliver a fully collaborative approach and support for the client. You will also need to work collaboratively with professional deaf colleagues in the Team who are native BSL sign language users, to enable the most linguistically and culturally accurate assessments.

NHS AfC: Band 8
South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust has a rich history, well-established community links and an international reputation. We provide a full range of local mental health services to the Kingston, Merton, Richmond, Sutton and Wandsworth London boroughs, as well as specialist forensic mental health services, including specialised services such as national deaf adults and CAMHS inpatients and OCD.
We are committed to providing high quality integrated health and social care for local people with mental health problems in South West London and more specialist mental health services for people throughout the UK. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good' however we aim to be 'outstanding'.
Our Values
We take pride in providing specialist care to our service users where our Trust values; being consistent, compassionate, collaborative, respectful and open is at the heart of everything we do. Our mission is "making life better together".
When you join us, you'll be part of something special - an innovative and rapidly growing organisation that is helping to redefine the Mental Health, education and social care landscape in the UK.
As a Trust, we are happy to talk flexible working., We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.
We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good' - we aspire to be 'outstanding'.
This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services.
We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.
We offer flexible working, career development and a variety of benefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive. Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.
About our locations:
Springfield University Hospital, Tooting
Our largest, 19-ward site is in Springfield Village, created following our £150m investment into two new world class mental health facilities.