Head of Speech and Language Therapy

Job summary

Lead a Specialist Service. Shape Clinical Practice. Improve Lives.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Speech and Language Therapist to join our forensic learning disability and mental health services as Head of Speech and Language Therapy.

This is a unique opportunity to combine professional leadership with specialist clinical practice in a challenging but highly rewarding forensic setting.

You will lead a small and dedicated Speech and Language Therapy team (including a dysphagia service) of six staff, while maintaining a clinical role on one of our medium secure forensic learning disability inpatient wards.

Clinically, working within a specialist multidisciplinary team, you will support adults with learning disabilities, autism and complex communication needs, helping to ensure communication is understood as a central component of assessment, treatment, risk management and recovery.

East London is one of the most diverse regions in the UK, and we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We particularly welcome applications from candidates from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities and others who are currently underrepresented within senior clinical leadership roles.

If you are an experienced Speech and Language Therapist who enjoys collaborative working, creative clinical practice and leading service development within a specialist setting, we would love to hear from you!

Main duties of the job

As Head of Speech and Language Therapy, you will:

• Provide professional and operational leadership for a Speech and Language Therapy department of six staff.
• Hold a specialist clinical caseload within a medium secure forensic learning disability inpatient service.
• Support and develop staff through supervision, mentoring and professional leadership.
• Lead service development, quality improvement and innovation in communication assessment and intervention.
• Work closely with psychology, psychiatry, nursing, occupational therapy, social work and medical colleagues to deliver high-quality, person-centred care.
• Champion accessible communication and trauma-informed approaches across forensic services.
• Contribute to strategic developments within learning disability and forensic pathways.

Person Specification

Essential

Essential

• Registration with the HCPC
• Significant post-qualification experience working with adults with learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs, forensic populations, or other complex client groups
• Experience of supervising and supporting Speech and Language Therapy staff.
• A strong commitment to multidisciplinary team working and collaborative practice.
• Excellent communication, leadership and relationship-building skills.
• A creative and flexible approach to supporting people with complex communication needs.
• A passion for service improvement, innovation and developing evidence-based practice

Desirebale

Desirable

• Experience in Forensic Mental Health and LD settings

Closing Date: 19 July 2026