Visa Note
While this employer offers a Certificate of Sponsorship for eligible candidates, applicants must verify their specific visa eligibility requirements directly with the employer. The UK’s immigration requirements are subject to change, and individual circumstances may affect visa approval. Do not assume sponsorship is guaranteed based on this job posting.
Job Overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a permanent full-time Clinical Lead for Speech and Language Therapy with Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. This position offers a unique chance to make a significant impact on the lives of young people and adults with complex mental health and communication needs. The successful applicant will work across multiple inpatient secure mental health hospitals in Birmingham and as part of the West Midlands Youth First Community Child and Adolescent Forensic Team.
About the Role
Working as part of a small, dedicated team, this position would suit an applicant with a genuine interest in working with diverse populations facing complex communication challenges. The role requires someone who can thrive in a dynamic environment and work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team that includes Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Nursing, Medical, and Education professionals. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to advance their career in speech and language therapy while specialising in mental health settings.
Working Environment
The Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust provides a supportive and professional working environment where your skills will be valued and developed. With 4000 clinical and support staff helping to improve mental health wellbeing and meet the needs of 70,000 people served annually, this organisation offers substantial opportunities for professional growth. The Trust is committed to providing excellent care and support to the community, making it an ideal workplace for dedicated healthcare professionals.
Your Responsibilities
The role encompasses a diverse range of clinical and leadership responsibilities. You will be responsible for assessment, planning, and implementing evidence-based practices tailored to individual client needs. The position includes reviewing and evaluating therapy using established outcome measures, providing expert advice to multidisciplinary colleagues regarding client management, and adapting therapeutic materials as needed. You will also attend and contribute to clinical team meetings, produce comprehensive reports, and complete all relevant administrative tasks to ensure the smooth running of the service.
Leadership Opportunities
As a Clinical Lead, you will have significant responsibilities in line management, including sickness reporting, leave approval, clinical supervision, and quality performance management for designated team members. This leadership role provides an excellent platform for developing your management skills while maintaining your clinical expertise. The position offers opportunities to shape service delivery and mentor junior therapists, contributing to the overall effectiveness of the speech and language therapy service.
Professional Development
The Trust is committed to your professional growth and offers a wide range of training opportunities relevant to the role. These resources will ensure you develop the necessary skills to work effectively within a mental health setting. The organisation also offers medical, nursing and psychology training and is proud of its international reputation for both research and innovation. Continuous professional development is actively supported, with opportunities to attend conferences, workshops, and specialised training programs.
Flexible Working
We understand the importance of work-life balance and offer flexible working options to accommodate your needs. This full-time position can be tailored to suit your circumstances, providing a supportive framework that allows you to excel both professionally and personally. The Trust recognises that flexibility leads to greater job satisfaction and better patient outcomes, making this an attractive option for those seeking a balanced approach to their career.
Probation Period
The successful candidate will initially enter a supportive probation period of six months. This structured introduction to the role provides comprehensive orientation, mentorship, and clear feedback to ensure your successful integration into the team and organisation. During this period, you will receive additional support and guidance as you familiarize yourself with the specific requirements of the position and the Trust’s policies and procedures.
Person Requirements
To be eligible for this position, you must hold a recognised professional degree qualification in Speech and Language Therapy and be a registered member of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). These qualifications are essential for practicing as a speech and language therapist in the UK and ensure that you meet the professional standards required for this role. The registration with HCPC demonstrates your commitment to maintaining professional standards and ongoing professional development.
Clinical Expertise Required
You will need specialist clinical knowledge and skills in the assessment of communication and intervention techniques relevant to mental health settings. This includes understanding how various psychiatric conditions and dual diagnoses impact communication skills, as well as knowledge of how trauma and adverse childhood experiences relate to communication needs. These specialized skills are critical for working effectively with the complex client population served by this service.
Desirable Experience
While not essential, experience working within mental health, CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services), secure care, or learning disability environments would be advantageous. Similarly, experience working with neurodiverse populations and supervision of students (including completion of NQP documentation) would strengthen your application. These experiences demonstrate your adaptability and preparedness for the diverse challenges of this role.
Company Information
Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust serves a culturally diverse population across Birmingham and Solihull. The Trust is characterised by areas of high deprivation, which creates an increasing demand for our services and a necessity to ensure everyone can access the help they need. As a team of compassionate, inclusive, and committed people, we work together to provide excellent care to support our community. If you are looking for a place to belong where you can make a real difference to people’s lives, our warm welcome is waiting for you.
Salary and Benefits
This Band 7 position offers a competitive salary ranging from £47,810 to £54,710 per annum (pro rata). The salary is based on the NHS Agenda for Change pay scale, which rewards experience and professional development. In addition to your salary, you will receive other benefits including access to the NHS pension scheme, generous annual leave, paid sick leave, and opportunities for professional development and career progression within a large, well-respected organisation.
Location and Facilities
The position is based at Ardenleigh Hospital, located at Kingsbury Road, Birmingham, B24 9SA. The hospital provides modern facilities and a supportive working environment designed to meet the needs of both staff and patients. Birmingham itself offers excellent transport links, affordable housing options compared to other major UK cities, and a diverse cultural scene. The city’s central location makes it easily accessible from other parts of the UK and provides opportunities for both urban and suburban living.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust welcomes applications from international candidates requiring current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK. If you are qualified and experienced in speech and language therapy with a particular interest in mental health settings, we encourage you to apply. The Trust will consider sponsorship applications alongside all other applications, providing equal opportunities for qualified candidates regardless of their country of origin.
Visa Requirements
Applicants requiring sponsorship must note that from 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants applying for entry clearance into the UK must present a criminal record certificate from each country where 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. Applicants must also have current UK professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council to be eligible for this position.
Disclosure and Barring Service
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, which means a submission for Disclosure will be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. This standard safeguarding measure is required for all roles working with vulnerable populations in the NHS. All information will be handled confidentially and will not automatically exclude candidates from consideration.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, please visit the NHS Jobs website and search for reference number 436-7361099. Complete the online application form, ensuring you upload your CV and a supporting statement that demonstrates how you meet the person specification criteria. For international applicants specifically, please include details of your current visa status and any sponsorship requirements you may have. The closing date for applications is 08 January 2026, so we recommend applying as early as possible to allow sufficient time for processing.
International Applicant Checklist
If you are applying from outside the UK, please ensure you have the following documentation ready: your professional qualifications verified by UK NARIC, evidence of English language proficiency, current HCPC registration (or confirmation that you are eligible to apply), and details of any criminal record checks from countries where you have lived. You should also be prepared to provide information about your visa requirements and any dependants who will be accompanying you to the UK. Contact Ms Debbie Jones at [email protected] or 07985883149 for any specific questions about the application process for international candidates.
Contact Information
For questions about the job, please contact Ms Debbie Jones, Professional Lead Speech and Language Therapist, at [email protected] or by phone at 07985883149. Ms Jones can provide additional information about the role, the working environment, and the application process. For general information about Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, please visit our website at https://www.bsmhft.nhs.uk/. We look forward to receiving your application and potentially welcoming you to our team.
