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Anna Backhouse
Consultant Speech and Language Therapist, Director of Education and Therapeutic Services
With over 25 years of experience as a Speech and Language Therapist, I have dedicated my career to supporting autistic individuals and those with learning disabilities, advocating for some of the most marginalised and disempowered groups in society. I qualified in 1996, and throughout my career, I have been driven by the belief that everyone deserves a voice, a principle that has shaped my work across numerous settings.
My approach is rooted in an evidence-based framework, underpinned by human rights principles. I am passionate about fostering a culture of continuous learning within the teams I lead, ensuring that the latest research and evidence inform practice to achieve the best outcomes for those we support. I aim to empower my colleagues to engage with the literature, remain curious, and drive improvements in practice.
I began my career in the NHS in the North East, where I was given the opportunity to re-establish Speech and Language Therapy services for people with learning disabilities in Sunderland after a seven-year gap. As part of the NHS and Local Authority Learning Disabilities Partnership, I helped build a dedicated team that supported individuals across the city. This was a formative time in my career, aligning with the implementation of the Valuing People White Paper, and I continue to be guided by its principles of rights, independence, choice, and inclusion.
My career has also involved a close partnership with Newcastle University. In 2009-2010, I co-developed a post-qualification CPD module for practicing Speech and Language Therapists, focusing on promoting involvement and decision-making for adults with learning disabilities. I also tutored Speech and Language Therapy students, offering case-based learning to support their understanding of clinical challenges in this field.
I am an experienced dysphagia practitioner, specialising in complex eating and drinking issues, and have led the development of specialist services within the NHS. Over the years, I have had the privilege of supervising therapists and nurses to enhance their practice through advanced dysphagia training.
Throughout my career, I have worked across a wide range of clinical areas, including physical disability, mental health, voice, gender dysphoria, dysfluency, trauma, and dementia. This diverse experience has equipped me with the skills to apply research and theory into practice effectively, ensuring high-quality care for individuals with a variety of complex needs.
In 2009, I joined Hesley as a Consultant Speech and Language Therapist, where I have been instrumental in developing consultant roles within my team by working closely with colleagues in Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy and Clinical Psychology to support their professional growth and success. During my time at Hesley, I have taken on leadership roles across clinical, educational, and operational services, shaping the direction of the organisation while forming strong, impactful relationships with colleagues and individuals we support.
Hesley’s commitment to continuous professional development has been a driving force in my own learning journey. Most recently, I completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Safeguarding and Leading Safer Organisations at the University of Lincoln, which has further strengthened my ability to lead in the complex and ever-evolving field of social care.
I continue to feel honoured to provide support for my colleagues and the fantastic people we support at Hesley Group.
