Band 6 Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
NHS AfC: Band 6
Main area Specialist Speech and Language Therapist – Acute Inpatients (Stroke) Grade NHS AfC: Band 6 Contract Permanent: 12-month Development Opportunity supported by Annex 21 Hours Part time – 30 hours per week (At The Dudley Group, we understand the benefits of offering a range of flexible working options from day one of employment to support both employees and the Trust. Offering flexible working opportunities is one of the ways that the Trust aims to attract and retain a diverse workforce. Further information on the options available can be found via the link in the job advert.) Job ref 253-0926-8312224
Site Russells Hall Hospital Town Dudley Salary £39,959 – £48,117 per annum pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 13/10/2026 23:59
Job overview
Band 6 Specialist Speech & Language Therapist – Acute Inpatients (Stroke)
12-month Development Opportunity supported by Annex 21.
We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Speech and Language Therapist to join our Acute Stroke Team.
Would you like to be part of a friendly, forward-thinking, and supportive team that is committed to helping you develop your skills and progress your career?
This post would suit an established Band 6 looking to further develop specialist skills within a stroke environment. We also welcome applications from suitably experienced Band 5 clinicians, offering this post as a development opportunity with structured support to progress into the Band 6 role.
The successful applicant will have experience working within a stroke or acute setting and be developing confidence in managing a dysphagia caseload. You will demonstrate excellent communication skills, flexibility in a fast-paced environment, and a strong understanding of multidisciplinary team (MDT) working.
The role involves delivering specialist assessment, management, and treatment for acute inpatients with both communication and swallowing difficulties. You will work closely with the wider MDT and alongside experienced SLT colleagues, benefiting from access to expert knowledge, supervision, and opportunities for development, including instrumental assessment.
Main duties of the job
To provide an effective and efficient speech and language therapy service to adult clients within the Stroke inpatient setting. You will manage a specialist adult caseload in this clinical area.
Duties will include providing a specialist level of clinical expertise in the assessment, treatment and management of adults with swallowing and/or communication difficulties, planning therapy programmes and discharge of patients.
For Band 5 applicants, a structured development pathway will be provided to support progression into the specialist Band 6 role, including supervision, competency development, and access to training opportunities.
There may also be opportunities in the future to rotate between acute and stroke services and community Stroke rehab facility, supporting broader skill development.
Working for our organisation
At the Dudley Group our patients and staff are at the heart of all that we do and that is to provide a world class service that aligns with our vision of “excellent health care, improved health for all”. We are seeking to recruit staff who share our vision and values of making Dudley Group an incredible workplace.
As part of the NHS People Promise, your wellbeing is our priority, and we are committed to ensuring our employees achieve a healthy work-life balance supported by our flexible working options and by making reasonable adjustments where possible. We believe no-one should have to sacrifice family, friends, or their personal interests for work. We are a modern employer able to attract and retain high quality staff through our commitment to the NHS People Promise.
As an employer, we foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to contribute their best. We want to ensure that our workforce is representative of the population we serve. More information – inclusive practice people promise.
Dudley Group offer many opportunities for our staff to develop and grow within their roles through our Learning & OD Team. These include topics such as communication, wellbeing, team development, cultural competency, and values.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description for full details of the main duties and responsibilities that the post holder is required to undertake.
Person specification
Qualifications and Education
- Degree in Speech and Language Therapy or equivalent
- Member of RCSLT
- Registered with HCPC
- Evidence of attendance on relevant specialist courses
- Member of RCSLT CEN relevant to client group
Experience
- Proven relevant clinical experience at post graduate level
- Experience of multi disciplinary team working
- Experience of managing complex cases
- Post graduate dysphagia training and experience
- Experience of supervising undergraduate SLT students
- Experience of devising and delivering training to multi-disciplinary team
Communication Skills
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Excellent interpersonal skills – including observation, listening and empathy skills
Knowledge and Training
- Negotiation and problem-solving skills
- Good analytical and reflection skills
- Good presentation skills written and verbal
- Awareness of standards of record keeping
- Awareness of principles of clinical governance and audit
- Flexible approach to therapy situations
- Demonstrates knowledge of confidentiality
- Skilled in conflict resolution
- Demonstrates enthusiasm for the role
- Ability to prioritise
- Knowledge of national policies and procedures
Analytical & Judgement Skills
- Demonstrates enthusiasm for the role
- Caring and empathetic
- Ability to reflect upon and critically appraise staff and own performance
Planning Skills
- Evidence of good time management
- Evidence of organisational skills
Management Skills
- Able to motivate self and others to deliver a quality service
- Flexibly work across locations or across 7 days as needed
- Able to work under pressure
In line with UK Home Office rules, Band 2 clinical and non‑clinical roles, and Band 3 non‑clinical roles, are not eligible for visa sponsorship.
Non‑clinical roles at Agenda for Change Bands 7–9 that meet the required skill level (RQF 6) and salary threshold are eligible for sponsorship.
The Trust will also accept applications from candidates who can evidence their existing right to work in the UK or who hold an alternative eligible visa.
RECRUITMENT EQUALITY STATEMENT
We are committed to equal opportunities and want to ensure our workforce is representative of the population we serve. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and diverse groups. It is essential we understand our demographics, in order that we can monitor our performance as an equal opportunity employer, as well as continuing to embed a culture of inclusivity across the organisation, which supports the active participation and contribution of our diverse staff groups in the Trusts decision making processes . On application the shortlisting manager will not see this criterion and therefore it cannot be part of their decision making. Please ensure you complete your equal opportunities questions for us and help us to make sure everyone is welcome.
The Trust is committed to employing and supporting people with disabilities. It is the Trust’s policy to interview all candidates with a disability who meet the minimum ‘essential’ criteria as identified on the person specification. To ensure we know you have a disability, please inform us under the appropriate section on the application form. We welcome applications from the LGBTQ+ community and openly encourage people with different sexual orientation, gender identity and expression to apply to join our team. We promise to respect and encourage the use of all pronouns and will not purposefully mis-gender anyone.
We are governed by the public sector equality duties and by our values of Care, Respect and Responsibility to ensure we eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other behaviour that is unlawful, undermines our core values and/or falls short of our Behaviour Framework. We want all of our staff to ‘call out’ any behaviour from colleagues, patients or visitors that constitutes the above and appropriate action be taken.
We will, at every opportunity, advance equality and inclusivity for all staff, at all levels within the organisation, by removing or minimising disadvantage, encouraging participation and taking all relevant steps to meet the needs of anyone who shares a protected characteristic. We will also foster good relations between persons who share a protected characteristic by tackling prejudice and promoting understanding at every opportunity.
We have staff Networks in place to help support staff experience of diverse staff groups and inform us on the actions, interventions and support what we need to put in place to improve the working lives and daily experiences of all colleagues and all teams. Anyone can join the networks and we take pride in having Allies as part of every network within the organisation.
By submitting an application for a position with this organisation, you are declaring that the information given is true and complete, any deliberate omission, falsification or misrepresentation will be grounds for rejecting the application or subsequent dismissal, and where applicable, for positions that requires registration with a professional body, you authorise us to make the required employer checks on your professional registration status.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Name Louise Brookes Job title Therapy Lead Orthotics & Adult SLT Manager Email address louise.brookes2@nhs.net Telephone number 01384 456111 Additional information
For further details regarding this vacancy please contact:
Louise Brookes – 01384 456111 ext 4566
louise.brookes2@nhs.net
#J-18808-Ljbffr…