Speech and Language Criminal Justice Lead inPortsmouth inPortsmouth PUBLISHED 22 NOV 2024

Band 7: £46,148 to £52,809 a year per annum  PERMANENT 
Do you believe that people should be able to understand their bail conditions instead of being rearrested for unknowingly breaking them.

  • Do you think everyone under arrest is guilty of a crime?

  • Or that all criminals should be locked up for as long as possible?

If so, this is NOT the job for you.

  • Do you believe that a person under arrest should be entitled to be interviewed in a way that they can understand and engage with?

  • Do you believe that people should be able to understand their bail conditions instead of being rearrested for unknowingly breaking them?

By identifying speech, language and communication needs vulnerable people can be supported to partake in the Criminal Justice System and adhere to conditions set out for them which can make positive changes to their experience through the justice system and reduce their risk of reoffending.

We're looking for a qualified Speech and Language Therapist join our Liaison and Diversion team.

Ideally, you'll be an enthusiastic, experienced, and registered Speech and Language Therapist with an interest in health and justice and a passion for supporting people making their way through police custody or court. Previous experience in criminal justice and offender health is desirable, but we'll consider candidates without this.

  • To lead on the design and delivery of interventions that support the implementation of the Speech and Language Liaison and Diversion agenda. To lead on the development, organisation, quality, and governance of Speech and Language Therapist provision.

  • To be responsible for a highly specialist speech and language portfolio which will include provision of expert advice to speech and language therapists, senior clinicians, Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) across Hampshire & IOW to support them in taking up their duty of care and to provide the police and court with written information pertaining to the individual in a timely fashion to inform disposal.

  • To attend police stations, custody suites, community settings and magistrates' courts and provide specialist speech and language assessments, advice and identify robust care pathways, for individuals where a potential vulnerability has been identified.

  • To work closely and build links with all referring agencies within the custody suite, court and probation, acting as a single point of contact for health.

  • To deliver specialist training on Speech and Language need within Criminal Justice pathways to custody sergeants, magistrate and crown court and other key stakeholders.

  • To work autonomously, with the ability to organise and manage own time according to delegated workload.

About us

Themust haves for you to be considered for this role:

  • Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree

  • Health Professions Council licence to practice

  • Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

  • A minimum of 18 months experience at Band 6 or equivalent in a community setting.

  • Licence holder with access to your own vehicle who is prepared to multiple sites across Berkshire as required.

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.


We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

  • Do you think everyone under arrest is guilty of a crime?

  • Or that all criminals should be locked up for as long as possible?

If so, this is NOT the job for you.

  • Do you believe that a person under arrest should be entitled to be interviewed in a way that they can understand and engage with?

  • Do you believe that people should be able to understand their bail conditions instead of being rearrested for unknowingly breaking them?

By identifying speech, language and communication needs vulnerable people can be supported to partake in the Criminal Justice System and adhere to conditions set out for them which can make positive changes to their experience through the justice system and reduce their risk of reoffending.

We're looking for a qualified Speech and Language Therapist join our Liaison and Diversion team.

Ideally, you'll be an enthusiastic, experienced, and registered Speech and Language Therapist with an interest in health and justice and a passion for supporting people making their way through police custody or court. Previous experience in criminal justice and offender health is desirable, but we'll consider candidates without this.

  • To lead on the design and delivery of interventions that support the implementation of the Speech and Language Liaison and Diversion agenda. To lead on the development, organisation, quality, and governance of Speech and Language Therapist provision.

  • To be responsible for a highly specialist speech and language portfolio which will include provision of expert advice to speech and language therapists, senior clinicians, Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) across Hampshire & IOW to support them in taking up their duty of care and to provide the police and court with written information pertaining to the individual in a timely fashion to inform disposal.

  • To attend police stations, custody suites, community settings and magistrates' courts and provide specialist speech and language assessments, advice and identify robust care pathways, for individuals where a potential vulnerability has been identified.

  • To work closely and build links with all referring agencies within the custody suite, court and probation, acting as a single point of contact for health.

  • To deliver specialist training on Speech and Language need within Criminal Justice pathways to custody sergeants, magistrate and crown court and other key stakeholders.

  • To work autonomously, with the ability to organise and manage own time according to delegated workload.

About us

Themust haves for you to be considered for this role:

  • Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree

  • Health Professions Council licence to practice

  • Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

  • A minimum of 18 months experience at Band 6 or equivalent in a community setting.

  • Licence holder with access to your own vehicle who is prepared to multiple sites across Berkshire as required.

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.


We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.



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