Principal Speech and Language Therapist
Job summary
Principal Speech and Language Therapist
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Speech and Language Therapist to join our Forensic Healthcare Service (FHS). This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a growing and highly valued service that supports individuals with complex communication needs within low and medium secure inpatient units and community forensic teams.
Forensic mental healthcare provides both challenge and opportunity in abundance. In Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, our FHS services include two secure inpatient units in Hellingly and Chichester. The Hellingly Centre and the Chichester Centre are low and medium secure mental health hospitals where we specialise in the assessment and treatment of people with complex and enduring mental health needs, who may have had contact with the criminal justice system.
The Forensic Outreach and Liaison Service is community based and operates across Sussex.
The Principal speech and language therapist works across all of our services. This role is a job share opportunity to work alongside the existing postholder.
Main duties of the job
You will play a pivotal role in:
- Delivering direct clinical care to a small caseload of service users.
- Leading the strategic development of SLT provision across forensic settings.
- Embedding inclusive communication practices and supporting multidisciplinary teams.
- Enhancing service user engagement, recovery, and wellbeing through tailored communication strategies.
- Developing support for patients with Eating, Drinking and Swallowing needs.
About us
About the Trust:
We provide mental health and learning disability care for children, young people, and adults across Sussex. SPFT is rated 'good' overall and 'outstanding' for caring by CQC.
About Sussex:
- Travel easily between coast and countryside, with a blend of picturesque villages and seaside towns there's always new experiences to be enjoyed
- Embrace the city life with great access to visit Brighton and London
- With easy access to Gatwick and Heathrow and excellent railway links across the UK there is plenty of opportunity for adventure
As a practitioner in our team we can offer you:
Access to numerous wellbeing and support programmesExcellent supervision programmes, with ongoing opportunities for training and developmentReimbursed parkingAccess to a host of NHS discount schemes (including gyms, shopping, restaurants and cars)A position within a trust rated as 'Outstanding' for caring and 'Good' overall by the CQCGenerous holiday entitlement (dependent on length of NHS service) starting at 27 days + 8 bank holidaysNHS Pension contributions
Details
Date posted
23 April 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 8a
Salary
£57,528 to £64,750 a year pro rata per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Part-time
Reference number
354-FH-20618
Job locations
The Firs
The Drive
Hellingly
BN27 4ER
Job description
Job responsibilities
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We welcome applications from suitably qualified SLTs with experience in mental health, learning disabilities, and/or neurodiversity. Youll need:
- HCPC registration.
- Strong clinical skills and leadership experience
- Patience, resilience, and the ability to build trusting relationships with individuals who have experienced adversity in their lives prior to contact with the criminal justice system.
This role offers a chance to shape the future of SLT in forensic healthcare. Youll be part of a supportive team committed to inclusive communication and recovery-focused care. Flexible working patterns may be considered
Previous experience of working with people with mental health difficulties is essential. Previous experience of working in Forensic Healthcare Service is desirable. There will be access to regular supervision, reflective practice and training and development opportunities, including attendance to communities of practice.
Please see the attached job description and person specification for full details of the role and requirements.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We welcome applications from suitably qualified SLTs with experience in mental health, learning disabilities, and/or neurodiversity. Youll need:
- HCPC registration.
- Strong clinical skills and leadership experience
- Patience, resilience, and the ability to build trusting relationships with individuals who have experienced adversity in their lives prior to contact with the criminal justice system.
This role offers a chance to shape the future of SLT in forensic healthcare. Youll be part of a supportive team committed to inclusive communication and recovery-focused care. Flexible working patterns may be considered
Previous experience of working with people with mental health difficulties is essential. Previous experience of working in Forensic Healthcare Service is desirable. There will be access to regular supervision, reflective practice and training and development opportunities, including attendance to communities of practice.
Please see the attached job description and person specification for full details of the role and requirements.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Licence to practice as a Speech & Language Therapist
- HCPC registration
Knowledge/Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience as a qualified SLT
- Broad experience of working with clients with a range of abilities and disabilities
- Experience of both group and individual work
- Experience of multidisciplinary working
- Experience of supervising staff and students
- Experience in a clinical area related to the post
- Experience of multi-agency work
- Leadership experience
- Experience of service development
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Licence to practice as a Speech & Language Therapist
- HCPC registration
Knowledge/Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience as a qualified SLT
- Broad experience of working with clients with a range of abilities and disabilities
- Experience of both group and individual work
- Experience of multidisciplinary working
- Experience of supervising staff and students
- Experience in a clinical area related to the post
- Experience of multi-agency work
- Leadership experience
- Experience of service development
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).
Additional information
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
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Address
The Firs
The Drive
Hellingly
BN27 4ER
Employer's website
https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Address
The Firs
The Drive
Hellingly
BN27 4ER
Employer's website
https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)