Job Overview

We are looking for a motivated and proactive Speech and Language Therapist to work within Hillingdon Probation Services supporting young adults (18-25 years old) who have speech, language and communication difficulties and differences.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of setting up a new service within Probation, working alongside an established Speech and Language Therapy service within Hillingdon Youth Justice Service.

This is a fixed term position until 31st March 2028.

You will be working within the Hillingdon Probation office working alongside Probation practitioners and other key multi-agency staff involved with the young adult caseload.

You will take the lead on setting up and delivering all aspects of the Speech and Language Therapy Service within Hillingdon Probation Services.

This post provides an opportunity for an experienced Speech and Language Therapist who is looking to develop:

• Experience in setting up a new service
• Leadership skills
• Clinical skills working with young adults (18-25 years old) with speech, language and communication difficulties and differences who may have co-occurring social, emotional and mental health needs.

Main duties of the job

• To provide a highly specialist assessment and intervention service for young adults (ages 18-25 years old) known to Hillingdon Probation Services.
• To provide consultative advice to the professional network involved with adults known to Hillingdon Probation Service. This may include attendance and advocating for adults at a wide range of professional meetings.
• To make recommendations about the physical environments and written communications that are used by Probation Services.
• To develop and deliver training to professionals working in Hillingdon Probation Services.
• To gather and report regularly on data including service Key Performance Indicators.
• To lead on quality governance, audits, projects and service development for the Probation Speech and Language Therapy Service.
• To provide shadowing opportunities and second opinions to the wider professional network.
• To contribute to the CNWL Criminal Justice Speech and Language Peer Support Network.
• To liaise with the Hillingdon Youth Justice Service Health Hub, including the Speech and Language Therapist, for children transitioning to Probation Services.

Working for our organisation

We can offer you:

• Regular clinical and managerial supervision every 6-8 weeks.
• Regular supervision with a Probation manager.
• A peer support network of other Speech and Language Therapists working within Criminal Justice in CNWL.
• A supportive working environment with regular opportunities for informal support from colleagues.
• Opportunities to develop your clinical and leadership skills and knowledge, with a varied clinical caseload and regular CPD opportunities across the NHS, Local Authority and Probation Services.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

Clinical

• To assess the speech, language and communication skills of adults known to Probation Services.
• To provide appropriate specialist intervention where required.
• To make onward referrals to other services. For example: Audiology, GP, Neurodevelopmental Assessments.
• To support the professional network to adapt their practice, ensuring all required strategies are incorporated into support plans.
• To be able to reflect on all aspects of an individual’s communication and identify appropriate strategies to facilitate and enhance communicative effectiveness.
• To monitor the effectiveness of recommended strategies and to adjust advice as necessary.
• To adapt clinical practice to meet individual’s circumstances on the basis of evidence from assessment.
• To recommend clear packages of care based on best practice and differential diagnosis using highly specialist clinical knowledge to inform case management.
• To write assessment reports, communication profiles and intervention programmes (as required) with clear strategies, advice and recommendations about next steps.
• To keep up to date with new techniques and developments for the promotion and maintenance of good practice in working within Probation Services.
• To demonstrate the ability to reflect on practice with peers and supervisors and identify own strengths and development needs.
• To demonstrate excellent communication skills.
• To adapt practice to meet the individual’s circumstances with due regard to cultural, linguistic (including use of interpreting services) and/or learning and language difficulties or differences.
• To recognise potential breakdown and conflict when it occurs and seek to resolve using highly developed negotiation skills, seeking further support from management if necessary.
• To use appropriate strategies to manage aggressive behaviour within the workplace, and to report any incidences of aggressive behaviour in line with Probation and NHS policies.
• To ensure that individuals and the professional network are involved in the planning and delivery of their care.
• To listen to the concerns of individuals and the professional network and provide appropriate support and signposting.
• To demonstrate highly developed negotiation skills across a range of issues and to negotiate with others around case management.
• To maintain sensitivity to the emotional needs of individuals especially when sharing outcomes of assessments or recommendations for onward referrals.
• To demonstrate empathy with individuals and colleagues ensuring that effective communication is achieved, particularly when the likelihood of communication breakdowns are higher.
• To acknowledge individual’s journeys up until the point of involvement with the Probation Service and use trauma informed practices when interacting with individual’s and their families.
• To evaluate own delivery and to be accountable for own professional actions and decisions, recognise own professional boundaries and seek advice from colleagues as required.
• To follow any CNWL serious incident escalation pathway when required and seek advice from CNWL Adult Safeguarding Advisors.
• To report all incidents, in a timely manner, and access learning following incident investigation outcomes.
• To have due regard for own personal safety and that of individuals, their families and other professionals. In particular, to have regard for Probation and NHS lone worker, moving and handling, health and safety and infection control policies.
• To follow local safety management policies and procedures and being aware of potential conflict between individuals and families using services. For example, consulting keep apart lists and the professional network when booking appointments.
• To report, in a timely manner, all safeguarding concerns, following the latest safeguarding guidance and policies.
• To share information, in a timely manner, with relevant professionals.
• To record all concerns and discussions/supervisions regarding safeguarding issues in the individual’s clinical records.
• To attend safeguarding supervision with the Named Nurse for Safeguarding Adults (Hillingdon) on a 3 monthly basis.
• To work independently and to access clinical supervision on a regular basis (every 6-8 weeks). Clinical supervision should be recorded on the relevant system (Learning and Development Zone).
• To collate evidence of professional development related to the RCSLT CPD log.
• To work within legal frameworks relevant to the role. For example: SEND reforms, London Safeguarding Adult Procedures and Probation Guidance.