Specialist Speech and Language Therapist: Youth Justice Service

Go back Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 02 February 2026

Thanks to new investment from Harrow Local Authority, we're launching an innovative Speech and Language Therapy role to work within the Youth Justice Service (YJS). This is a unique opportunity to shape a developing service that aims to improve outcomes for young people involved in or at risk of offending.

We're looking for an enthusiastic and skilled Speech and Language Therapist to help embed speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) awareness and practice across the YJS.

The aim of the service is to improve outcomes for children and young people involved in or at risk of offending by embedding speech, language, and communication needs (SLCN) awareness and practice within the Youth Justice Service. This will be achieved initially through indirect interventions, staff training, consultancy, and contribution to service development, and some direct intervention.

The post holder will:

• Provide a specialist SLT service to the young people accessing the Youth Justice Service (YJS) and their families, the YJS staff and the partner agencies working with the young people.
• Provide expert guidance to case-holding staff and multi‑agency teams to identify and respond to speech, language and communication needs (SLCN).
• Support the implementation of SLCN screening tools at initial assessment, and advise on age‑appropriate, evidence‑based practices.
• Deliver core and specialist training to YJS staff and wider criminal justice partners, promoting trauma‑informed and communication‑supportive practices.
• Contribute to the design and adaptation of communication‑friendly intervention plans.
• Review and advise on child‑friendly materials including intervention plans, contracts, leaflets, and justice‑related documents to ensure clarity and inclusivity.
• Provide regular reports on service activity and outcomes and contribute to strategic planning.

You will be joining and welcomed into a diverse therapy team who actively promote and advocate for equality and diversity.

We can provide:

• A warm welcome.
• Highly structured induction.
• Excellent levels of support and supervision which includes regular clinical and management supervision every 8 weeks and an annual appraisal.
• Termly peer supervision meetings where you can discuss cases, read articles together and share your experiences.
• Clearly defined caseloads.
• A wide range of opportunities for continuing professional development.
• Easy access to clinical specialists in all clinical areas.
• Designated admin and planning time.
• Involvement in innovative project work in acute and community settings.
• Memberships at relevant CENs are supported and encouraged.

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree Qualification or equivalent
• Health Professions Council registration - Licence to Practice
• Evidence of completion of specialist short courses relevant to young people with communication difficulties
• Registered Member of Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.
• Further training courses relevant to the post
• Membership of relevant CEN
• Evidence of advanced training in clinical specialist area

• Extensive post-qualification experience working with young people with SLCN
• Working within adolescents and/or in secondary education environments
• Assessment, treatment and management of YP with speech, language and communication difficulties
• Experience of clinical supervision of staff and students
• Experience in developing and delivering training to other discipline, carers and service users
• Experience in interagency working
• Working independently
• Understanding of the criminal justice system and knowledge of the relevant legislation and policy
• Experience of working within a Youth Justice Service

• Well‑established knowledge of assessment tools relevant to CYP with speech, language and communication needs
• Well‑established knowledge of a range of appropriate therapeutic interventions relevant to the client group
• Excellent interpersonal skills and established…