Specialist Speech and Language Therapist: Sponsorship Available

Job summary

We are seeking a motivated and experienced Speech and Language Therapist to join our innovative Dementia Intensive Support Team (DIST).

DIST is a multidisciplinary team supporting people living with a diagnosis of dementia in their own homes and in care homes in the South-East Essex region

The successful candidate will provide a rapid access dysphagia service to avoid hospital admissions or deterioration of health and nutritional status due to eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties.

We support families/carers with the challenges of caring for a loved one with dementia, providing education of the nature of eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties due to dementia, and advice on how to enable people to eat and drink as well as they can.

The post-holder will work effectively and efficiently as an autonomous speech and language practitioner within a multi-professional team environment in community and primary care settings, ensuring safe, efficient and effective delivery of patient-focussed care in line with identified evidence-based practice, local and national standards.

We offer a friendly and supportive team, regular supervision, excellent training and development opportunities and flexible working arrangements.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be based at Harland Centre , Westcliff on sea but will be required to provide services across South East Essex.

The successful candidate will deliver person centred, goals-focused assessment and intervention to an adult with dementia caseload, both within the Care Homes and in patients’ own homes.

To independently assess, differentially diagnose, develop and implement specialist care plans for care home residents with eating, drinking and swallowing needs due to dementia and frailty, as well as at the end of life.

To work with primary care, community health services and the wider multidisciplinary team to ensure a coordinated and holistic care plan for patients with necessary support and follow up from this care plan.

To providead hoc training and education to care home/care agency staff, to support them in their role.

To liaise with SLT colleague(s) from the Adult Community SLT service, acute SLT services, MAS SLT service and the ALD SLT service as required.

To be responsible and accountable for the independent prioritisation and management of own clinical caseload.

Person Specification

Application form

Essential

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree qualification or equivalent
• Previous experience with adult caseload
• Excellent interpersonal skills – including sensitivity, observation, listening and empathy skills
• Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration

Desirable

• Completion of RCSLT dysphagia competencies
• Knowledge of national policies, procedures and current research relevant to all caseloads.
• Knowledge of assessment tools and therapeutic interventions relevant to dementia and other acquired and progressive neurological and non-neurological swallowing disorders in adults.
• Awareness of the principles of clinical governance /audit

Skills

Essential

• Can demonstrate excellent written and spoken English
• At least 1 years’ experience work!ing with an adult caseload.
• Excellent interpersonal skills – including sensitivity, observation, listening and empathy skills
• Ability to prioritise workload demands

Desirable

• Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team Good team working skills
• Ability to acknowledge need for, and seek support
• Ability to work independently and to take initiative

Personal qualities

Essential

• Shares the Trust’s Beliefs and models this in their attitude and behaviour
• good verbal and communication skills

Desirable

• Experience of supporting more junior colleagues/students

Closing Date: 28 August 2026