Speech and Language Therapist - Adult Autism Services

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to join our team, working with adults with Autistic Spectrum Conditions across inpatient mental health settings and community services.

This is a rewarding and impactful role, supporting timely discharge from hospital, reducing unnecessary admissions, and helping to prevent contact with criminal justice services through proactive, person-centred intervention.

Main duties of the job

In this role, you will undertake comprehensive assessments using advanced investigative and analytical skills to develop and deliver highly individualised interventions. You will work collaboratively with service users, carers and multidisciplinary teams, ensuring communication needs are fully understood and embedded within care planning.

You will play a key role in promoting choice, empowerment and meaningful involvement for service users and their carers in all aspects of care. You will also provide specialist advice and clearly communicate assessment outcomes to ensure individuals are consistently supported in managing their communication needs.

As a senior clinician, you will lead on the planning and delivery of training to health and social care professionals, particularly in relation to communication and dysphagia in adults with autism. You will also contribute to service development, using your specialist knowledge to help shape and evaluate high-quality Speech and Language Therapy provision.

We are looking for a clinician who is passionate about improving outcomes for adults with autism, confident in working across complex systems, and committed to delivering inclusive, evidence-based practice.

Person specification

Education / Qualifications and Relevant Experience

Essential

• Current professional registration - HCPC

Member of RCSLT

Degree or equivalent recognised by Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

Evidence of Dysphagia qualification and/or equivalent experience leading to the ability to act as an autonomous dysphagia practitioner (at RCSLT Level C or D)

Evidence of further formal study eg. Post Graduate course / Continuing Professional Development (CPD) e.g. Cervical Auscultation, Voice, VFSA, FEES, counselling

Knowledge and abilities

Essential

• Ability to motivate patients to participate in treatment and educate them and their families regarding different treatment modalities

About the employer

We're an NHS community and mental health provider Trust based in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We deliver community and hospital-based care to improve people's physical and mental health. We also provide specialist support to people with dementia or a learning disability.

We are a people organisation and people matter to us. As part of the team, you'll help support the health and wellbeing of the people who live and visit this beautiful part of the UK.

Over 5,000 people make up the Trust. This includes doctors, nurses, therapists, plus admin and support staff.

We work in people's homes, in community clinics and bases. Some staff work from one of our 10 community hospitals. Our aspiration is to have great people, provide great care, be a great place to work and a great partner.

Approximately 568,000 people live here. A third of people who live in Cornwall are supported by acute hospital services in Devon. As a result, we also work closely with our partners in Devon. In the summer, and during other holidays lots of people choose to visit the area. This increase the numbers of people who use out services.