Job Description

We are seeking a part time Speech & Language Therapy Assistant to join our established team.
The Speech and Language Therapy team work across Rampton High-secure hospital, as part of the Therapies, Education and Rehabilitation Services, and integrated into the care pathways. We work with patients with Dysphagia or Speech, Language and Communication Needs, providing assessment and management, working towards shared therapeutic goals collaboratively with the patient and their multidisciplinary team.
We are looking for enthusiastic, motivated individuals who have an interest in working with people with communication disabilities and mental health diagnoses. This is an exciting opportunity for an individual who has experience in intellectual disabilities and/ or mental health and skills in supporting people with additional communication needs.
Main duties of the job
As a SLT Assistant, your work will be key in supporting patient's to maximise their potential in communication. You will achieve this by directly working with patients, developing adapted resources and modelling good communication across the wards. You will need to demonstrate good planning and organizational skills, flexibility, teamwork, and ability to work under direction from a Speech and Language Therapist. You will need to be confident in communicating with patients, SLTs and other health and social care professionals. You will be able to manage your own time, under direction from a SLT, and competent in record keeping and supporting report writing.
About us
#TeamNottsHC comprises over 11,000 dedicated colleagues who #MakeADifference every day. We deliver intellectual disability, mental health, community health, forensic, and offender healthcare services across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and South Yorkshire. Our care is provided from over 200 sites, spanning community locations, acute settings, and secure environments, including prisons.
We are one of the largest mental health and community Trusts in the East Midlands and one of Nottinghamshire's biggest employers. We also host national and regional services, such as the National High Secure Deaf Service and the Nottingham Centre for Transgender Health.
We offer a variety of employee-led staff networks, including Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) groups, the Green Champions network, the Freedom to Speak Up network, the Health and Wellbeing Champions network, and the Menopause Champions network. These networks play a vital role in supporting our diverse workforce and promoting a culture of inclusivity.
The health and wellbeing of colleagues is a top priority. We invest significantly in this through our in-house occupational health and staff counselling services, supported by a dedicated Health and Wellbeing team.
The Trust is committed to reducing its carbon emissions, with a specialised Energy and Environmental team working to ensure compliance with environmental legislation, enhance our environmental performance, and achieve our net-zero commitment.
Details
Date posted
10 October 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 4
Salary
27,485 to 30,162 a year Plus additional high secure lead 7000
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Part-time
Reference number
186-1254-25-FS
Job locations
Rampton Hospital
Woodbeck
Retford
DN22 0PD
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be required to have an NVQ 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent experience. You need to have good literacy skills, for example a GCSE in English or equivalent. You will need to have fantastic IT skills, the ability to use different computer packages and databases. You will need to demonstrate an ability to work flexibly, motivate, show initiative, work as part of a team under the direction of the Speech & Language Therapy team based on the unit.
Please see the Person Specification and job description for full details.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. The cost of the DBS application is 26.40 (standard) or 54.40 (enhanced), this cost will be deducted from your salary over the first 2 months of employment.
You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. An annual fee of 16 per year applies. Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be required to have an NVQ 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent experience. You need to have good literacy skills, for example a GCSE in English or equivalent. You will need to have fantastic IT skills, the ability to use different computer packages and databases. You will need to demonstrate an ability to work flexibly, motivate, show initiative, work as part of a team under the direction of the Speech & Language Therapy team based on the unit.
Please see the Person Specification and job description for full details.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. The cost of the DBS application is 26.40 (standard) or 54.40 (enhanced), this cost will be deducted from your salary over the first 2 months of employment.
You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. An annual fee of 16 per year applies.
Person Specification
Physical requirements
Essential

• To undertake relevant mandatory training and engage in the management of violence and aggression.
• Ability to escort and maintain custody of patients both within and outside of secure environments.
• Ability to respond to serious and emergency incidents.

Qualifications
Essential

• Good level of literacy skills e.g. GCSE grade C or above in English or equivalent.
• Relevant qualification at equivalent level of NVQ level 3.

Training
Desirable

• Training in relevant communication approaches such as signs and symbols.

Experience
Essential

• Relevant working experience with young people or adults with Learning Disabilities and/or mental health difficulties with additional communication needs.
• Experience of using different communication methods people with learning disabilities or mental health conditions.
• Demonstration of, commitment to and ability to work as a team member.

Desirable

• Advising other staff on communication approaches.
• Delivering training for staff.
• Experience of working with speech and language therapists.
• Experience of co-facilitating group-based programmes.

Knowledge
Essential

• Evidence of CPD relevant to patients with a diagnosis of either mental illness, personality disorder and/ or intellectual disability.
• Knowledge of some relevant communication issues for people with learning disabilities or mental health conditions.

Desirable

• Knowledge of specific communication techniques e.g. signs and symbols, social understanding tools.

Skills
Essential

• Ability to work flexibly and independently.
• Excellent IT skills.
• Clear concise written communication skills.
• Good interpersonal social and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Ability to explain and pass on information to others.
• Ability to teach, coach and mentor others.
• Motivated and enthusiastic.
• Well organized.

Desirable

• Competence with relevant IT and graphics software e.g. symbol databases, MS word and MS publisher.
• Confident in a range of communication approaches, such as developing easy read information, Social Stories, decision making tools such as Talking Mats.

Values & Behaviours
Essential

• oAll colleagues are expected to demonstrate that they act in line with Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Values: Trust Honesty Respect Compassion Teamwork
• oAll colleagues are expected to demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and how it applies to their role. The Trust's expectations are highlighted within our EDI Policy, and associated EDI and Human Rights legislation

Person Specification
Physical requirements
Essential

• To undertake relevant mandatory training and engage in the management of violence and aggression.
• Ability to escort and maintain custody of patients both within and outside of secure environments.
• Ability to respond to serious and emergency incidents.

Qualifications
Essential

• Good level of literacy skills e.g. GCSE grade C or above in English or equivalent.
• Relevant qualification at equivalent level of NVQ level 3.

Training
Desirable

• Training in relevant communication approaches such as signs and symbols.

Experience
Essential

• Relevant working experience with young people or adults with Learning Disabilities and/or mental health difficulties with additional communication needs.
• Experience of using different communication methods people with learning disabilities or mental health conditions.
• Demonstration of, commitment to and ability to work as a team member.

Desirable

• Advising other staff on communication approaches.
• Delivering training for staff.
• Experience of working with speech and language therapists.
• Experience of co-facilitating group-based programmes.

Knowledge
Essential

• Evidence of CPD relevant to patients with a diagnosis of either mental illness, personality disorder and/ or intellectual disability.
• Knowledge of some relevant communication issues for people with learning disabilities or mental health conditions.

Desirable

• Knowledge of specific communication techniques e.g. signs and symbols, social understanding tools.

Skills
Essential

• Ability to work flexibly and independently.
• Excellent IT skills.
• Clear concise written communication skills.
• Good interpersonal social and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Ability to explain and pass on information to others.
• Ability to teach, coach and mentor others.
• Motivated and enthusiastic.
• Well organized.

Desirable

• Competence with relevant IT and graphics software e.g. symbol databases, MS word and MS publisher.
• Confident in a range of communication approaches, such as developing easy read information, Social Stories, decision making tools such as Talking Mats.

Values & Behaviours
Essential

• oAll colleagues are expected to demonstrate that they act in line with Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Values: Trust Honesty Respect Compassion Teamwork
• oAll colleagues are expected to demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and how it applies to their role. The Trust's expectations are highlighted within our EDI Policy, and associated EDI and Human Rights legislation

Skills Required