About this role
Job summary
12 month fixed term contract - Starting September 2026!
The post-holder will provide maternity cover for specialist speech and language therapy assessment and intervention for adults with a learning disability, many of whom have complex physical and/or emotional needs. The post is a community post based within the multi-disciplinary team of the Plymouth Community Learning Disabilities Team which is part of Livewell Southwest. The post will interest someone who is keen to experience a wider role within SALT increasing their professional development and enjoys working with a multi-disciplinary environment and who is committed to providing a high-quality speech and language therapy service to people with a learning disability and their carers.
The job description and person specification are an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. The job holder will need to be flexible and carry out any other duties as may be reasonably required by their line manager.
All Livewell Southwest staff are expected to able and willing to work across a 7 day service.
Job Share(s) Considered
"please note that this role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, please refer to the Direct Gov website for more information with regards to eligibility"
Main duties of the job
The Community Learning Disabilities Team is a multi-disciplinary health team, of which the speech and language therapists are a part. There are 3.0 WTE Band 6 speech and language therapists and 0.3 speech and language therapist assistants within the service.
The post holder will work within the multi-disciplinary team to provide a specialist speech and language therapy service to adults with a range of learning disabilities within the community. The post involves working in a variety of settings eg. Family homes, residential homes, supported living environments, day services, community settings and health settings. The work is with adults with a learning disability and the people who support them.
The work includes provision of training for carers and support staff to develop capable communication environments for people with a learning disability. It also includes delivery of training on awareness of dysphagia to be carried out once the post holder has reached the competency of a Level 3 Specialist Dysphagia Practitioner as described in the Eating, Drinking and Swallowing Competency Framework (see www.rcslt.org).
Please note that Livewell may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline if a high number of applications are submitted. Therefore, we recommend you submit your application at the earliest opportunity
About us
Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of Devon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, and health hubs.
As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values,kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and collaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, while empowering staff and those we serve.
We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, in shaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the right time and place. Centering our work on individual needs helps people lead healthy, independent lives.
We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, training pathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the Care Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorship programs ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.
Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mental health, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities. If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during the application process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.
Job description Job responsibilities
To have responsibility for managing own speech and language therapy caseload of adults with a range of learning disabilities with guidance and support from senior colleagues, using person-centred principles.
This caseload is of adults with learning disabilities who have communication impairment and/or dysphagia. The caseload includes individuals with complex needs including severe and profound learning disabilities e.g. autism, sensory and/or physical impairment, behavioural and emotional problems, dementia, behaviours which challenge (including verbal and physical aggression directed at self or others), in addition to severe learning disabilities.
To develop, organise and deliver training programmes with guidance and support from senior colleagues to carers, support staff and other professionals and also to people working mainstream services who have contact with adults with severe learning disabilities. These training programmes will be both formal and informal and will focus on communication and/or dysphagia. Some of the training is delivered with other members of the multi-disciplinary team. It includes giving information about communication, and communication breakdown and training others in skills that can aid communication. This includes Total communication (i.e. the use of sign, symbols, photos, objects, etc to back up speech) and other specialist techniques, in order to develop appropriate communication environments to facilitate the communication of individuals with a severe learning disabilities. It also includes developing and delivering training in the use of IT to facilitate effective communication e.g. the production of communication passports.
To represent speech and language therapy and take an active role in, multi-disciplinary working, such as multi-disciplinary allocation meetings, clinical audit groups, core groups supporting the most complex clients, etc.
To be responsible for managing own speech and language therapy caseload of adults with severe learning disabilities with guidance and support from senior colleagues. The degree of communication impairment may range from mild to severe.
Managing the caseload includes:
Assessment and diagnosis of the communication difficulties of the individual, using both specialist speech and language therapy assessments and also observational and informal assessment skills, in order to form an overall picture of the individuals communication strengths and difficulties, both in understanding and expression, in a variety of situations and settings. Assessment includes the use of video and audio recording where appropriate. The speech and language therapy assessment may contribute to a multi-disciplinary assessment of the individual. In gathering this information there may be conflict of opinion about the individuals communication strengths and needs. The therapist therefore needs to analyse the information given in order to make a judgment about the most appropriate action to take and negotiate this with the people involved.
Intervention and/or advice regarding the specific communication difficulties of the individual.
Intervention includes;
- Specialist speech and language therapy interventions working on the individuals speech and/or language skills.
- Using specialist communication programmes including the use of systems designed to be an alternative to, or to augment, speech, including sign and symbols.
- The use of specialist programmes such as Intensive Interaction for individuals who have little or no understanding of language.
- The setting up and use of microelectronic communication aids.
Direct communication work with the person, including both individual and group work.
Collaborating with the person with learning disabilities where possible and the people in their communication environment, i.e. the people who support the person, to develop and use appropriate strategies to promote more effective communication.
Supervising others who may be implementing the communication programme.
Reviewing and evaluating progress, at regular intervals, in order to update the communication programmes as necessary.
Discharging as appropriate.
The caseload will include working with individuals with dysphagia and supervision will be provided through the Clinical Supervision arrangement. Peer Supervision is also available through current agreements with neighbouring NHS SLT Teams and Independent Sector Organisations specialising in Learning Disabilities. The speech and language therapist is responsible for assessment, including risk assessment, intervention and provision of a care plan to manage the persons dysphagia. This will require working with the person within their level of capacity for this issue, and their carers, in implementing a care plan which takes into account the persons wishes, their quality of life and their safety.
To record details of assessment and intervention. To write comprehensive reports giving details of the individuals communication skills and difficulties, and strategies that have been shown to promote more effective communication. To use the appropriate paperwork and electronic recording systems (SystmOne) to record contacts and details of assessments, care plans and reviews.
To organise group work as required as part of speech and language therapy intervention with people with learning disabilities.
To work as part of the core team when a person is being seen by several clinicians from the multi-disciplinary team. The purpose of the core team is to co-ordinate care. This may require negotiation of need and priorities where there is a conflict of opinion. The speech and language therapist may be required to be the core team co-ordinator for a few people on their caseload.
To develop and deliver training programmes on communication and/or dysphagia for carers, support staff and professionals involved with people with severe learning disabilities. The training is delivered to groups ranging in size from 2 40 people.
To alert the SLT Clinical Lead within the CLDT or Service Manager of the CLDT where, due to risk or lack of clarity, there is a need for the development of a policy of procedure in order to ensure delivery of a safe and effective speech and language therapy service to people with learning disabilities and to contribute to the development of relevant procedure and policies.
To assist others as appropriate, in making information accessible to people with learning disabilities i.e. people who are unable to read and/or have some difficulty in understanding complex language. This assistance may take the form of advice on how to make the materials (it does not necessary mean making materials for other groups of professional).
To contribute to Vulnerable Adult Case Conferences and Strategy meetings and advise on issues relating to communication. This may involve working directly with the vulnerable adult and writing detailed reports on the communication issues involved in order to inform a criminal investigation. It may also include working alongside professionals from other agencies, e.g. social services and the police, in advising them of the most appropriate communication strategies to use when questioning the vulnerable adult.
To keep clear and accurate case notes (normally electronic) and all other necessary records to meet both professional standards, and the standards of the Record Keeping Policy of Livewell Southwest. This is to include input of statistics as required.
To use word processing programmes, email and the Internet as required. To use specialist software particularly packages using symbols and digital photography to make materials for use as part of an individuals communication programme.
To ensure all equipment and materials used are maintained in good order and inform the budget holder of the need for additional or replacement items. To ensure that all equipment is kept in such a way to meet Health and Safety at Work Regulations.
To contribute towards making information accessible to individuals with learning disabilities, e.g. leaflets about the service provided etc To advise other agencies on appropriate materials to use on request.
To adhere to national and local Standards and Guidelines relating to Professional Practice.
To be aware of and adhere to current legislation and employers procedures. To attend Mandatory Training as required by the employer.
To identify own training requirements and update clinical knowledge by engaging in continuing professional development activities including reading appropriate literature, attending local in-service training meetings of speech and language therapists, regional Special Interest Groups and training as appropriate.
To participate and take the lead in service development for the SLT team and the CLDT.
To participate in supervision, personal appraisal and peer review. To take an active part in the speech and language therapy peer clinical supervision group by leading on and contributing to case discussions, review of literature etc. To seek supervision from other members of the LD MDT relating to shared areas of understanding and practice. To receive supervision from an SLT Clinical Lead consultant with extensive LD experience, as appropriate. To provide supervision to band 5 SLTs and SLTa.
To demonstrate ongoing personal development through participation in internal and external development opportunities, reflecting and recording outcomes in a personal log as required for Continuing Professional Development by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and the Health Professions Council. To keep an up to date record of evidence for meeting the criteria set out in the Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) for the post.
Please note - This isn't the full Job Description; This can be found within the supporting documents section, including the additional information for all posts
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Recognised Degree or equivalent to practice as a Speech and Language Therapist. Currently registered as a qualified Speech and Language Therapist with HCPC. Successful completion of the Speech and Language Therapy Competency Framework for Newly Qualified practitioners. Specialist dysphagia practitioner level as described in Inter-professional Dysphagia Competencies. Completion of basic and advanced level supervision of students course.
Desirable
Has attended relevant courses on issues that impact on the lives of people with learning disability e.g. Person-Centred Planning, autism, behaviours that challenge and social skills. Has attended postgraduate training for development of specialist skills in the use of communication programs, such as Intensive interaction, Makaton signing, Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS) and the use of communication aids.
Knowledge Essential
Proven ability in selecting, adapting and interpreting a wide range of specialist therapeutic interventions; this includes having specialist knowledge and understanding of a variety of interventions e.g., which can be used with people who are unable to communicate verbally e.g. interventions such as Intensive Interaction, signing and symbol systems and the use of communication aids. Knowledge of relevant professional and NHS issues.
Desirable
Specialist knowledge and understanding in the needs of people with a learning disability who have autistic spectrum disorders and the needs of people with a learning disability who have behaviours that can challenge. Knowledge of issues which impact on the lives of people with learning disability, including the principles enshrined in relevant policy documents e.g. Valuing People Now.
Specific Skills Essential
Able to communicate information effectively to a variety of people, with different levels of knowledge and skills. To be able to adjust communication according to the situation and the needs of the individual. IT skills to including word processing, use of the internet and email and the use of software designed for use as part of intervention with an individual with communication difficulties. Able to work with individuals and groups. Able to carry out both direct and indirect intervention (Indirect intervention refers to the formulation and monitoring of programs to be carried out by others). Proven ability in successfully managing difficult situations, such as when there is a conflict of opinion about how an individuals needs are best met, this requires good interpersonal skills and negotiation and problem-solving skills. Commitment to lifelong learning. Keeps CPD diary online which shows evidence of reflective practice. Hs portfolio of evidence for KSF. Able to motivate self and others. Ale to organise own time. Maintenance of good working relationships within these teams. Contributes fully to clinical supervision and shows evidence of reflective practice.
Desirable
Able to take the lead in planning and running group work. Proven commitment to using person centred approached to working with individuals with a learning disability.
Experience Essential
Relevant experience as a speech and language therapist. Ability to form relationship, and communicate with, individuals with disabilities who have a wide range of communication difficulties, including those with little or no understanding of verbal language. Working knowledge of the use of Total communication i.e. the use of sign, symbols, pictures, objects, to back up speech. Has assisted in the supervision of student speech and language therapists and/or speech and language therapy assistants.
Desirable
Experience of working with individuals (children or adults) with dysphagia either during training or as a qualified SLT. Experience of design, delivery and evaluating training for parents, carers and other professionals on issues relating to communication and/or dysphagia in people with a learning disability. Specialist knowledge in the independent management of complex and specialist caseloads of individuals for whom speech is not their main means of communication.
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).
Employer details Employer name Livewell Southwest
Address Westbourne Unit
Beacon Park Road
Plymouth
PL2 2PQ
Employer's website https://www.livewellsouthwest.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)