Paediatric Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

NHS; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Cambridge seeks a skilled Speech and Language Therapist to manage a diverse caseload and deliver holistic patient care within a multidisciplinary team. This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development in a supportive environment. Ideal candidates should have a relevant degree, HCPC registration, and experience in pediatric care. Flexible working options are available. Join us in delivering exceptional care and contribute to the groundbreaking Cambridge Children's Hospital.

Benefits

Development opportunities

On-site leisure facilities

Reduced-cost transport

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Post-graduate experience of working with individuals with speech, language and communication needs.
• Experience in developing and delivering training to other professionals.
• Involvement in multidisciplinary working.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage a defined caseload of patients with developmental/acquired communication and swallowing difficulties.
• Provide specialist clinical assessment and intervention.
• Contribute to multidisciplinary management of patients.

Skills

Excellent interpersonal skills

Negotiation and problem solving skills

Good analytical and reflection skills

Good auditory and perceptual discriminator skills

Prioritisation and organisational skills

Education

Recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree or equivalent

HCPC Registration

RCSLT member

Job description

Job summary

Are you a passionate and skilled Speech and Language Therapist looking to take the next step in your career? We're offering a fantastic opportunity to join our dynamic, friendly and highly supportive SLT service at Cambridge University Hospitals, working within our specialist acute paediatric and neonatal team.

There has never been a more exciting time to join us. We are preparing for our move into the groundbreaking Cambridge Children's Hospital--the first dedicated children's hospital in the East of England. This pioneering centre will bring together mental and physical healthcare with world‑leading research, creating an inspiring environment for clinicians and families alike.

Our acute paediatric and neonatal service spans the entire hospital, giving you the chance to work closely with a wide range of specialist teams including ENT, gastroenterology, intensive care, neonatology, neurology, respiratory medicine and surgery. As an integral member of the MDT, you'll play a key role in delivering truly holistic, patient‑centred care.

In this specialist role, you will independently manage a defined caseload, providing expert assessment and intervention for children with a broad spectrum of developmental and acquired communication and feeding/swallowing needs.

If you're enthusiastic, motivated and excited by the prospect of joining a forward‑thinking service that prioritises wellbeing, teamwork and high‑quality paediatric care, we would love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

The acute paediatric and neonatal service reaches across the hospital and works with many areas of specialism including ENT, gastroenterology, intensive care, neonatology, neurology, respiratory and surgery.

With the support of your team lead and advanced specialist colleagues and as an integral member of the MDT, you will contribute to the multidisciplinary management of patients, taking a holistic approach to care.

You will provide specialist clinical assessment and intervention to a defined caseload of patients referred with a range of developmental / acquired communication and swallowing difficulties; prioritising needs and managing workload independently.

There will be the opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills within a paediatric acute environment and in the use of instrumental swallowing assessment.

We are committed to your ongoing development. You will have exceptional opportunities to deepen your acute paediatric skills, including training in instrumental swallowing assessment and exposure to complex, varied clinical presentations. You'll be supported by an experienced team lead and advanced specialist colleagues, ensuring you feel confident, encouraged and empowered in your practice. We place a strong emphasis on psychological safety--creating a culture where every team member feels valued, heard and confident to speak up, share ideas and seek support.

About us

Our Trust

Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people - patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing 'outstanding' care to our patients and rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH's values – Together – Safe, Kind, Excellent – are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high‑quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.

CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community – a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people's age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.

Details

• Date posted: 04 December 2025
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 6
• Salary: £38,682 to £46,580 a year p.a. pro rata
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full‑time, Part‑time, Flexible working
• Reference number: 180-B-253184
• Job location: Addenbrookes Hospital‑Division B, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ

Job responsibilities

• Independently manage a defined caseload of patients with developmental/acquired communication and swallowing difficulties.
• Provide specialist clinical assessment and intervention.
• Prioritise needs and manage workload autonomously.
• Contribute to multidisciplinary management of patients.
• Develop knowledge and skills within the paediatric acute environment and in instrumental swallowing assessment.
• Support continuous professional development and promote psychological safety within the MDT.
• Refer to the attached Applicant Information Pack for key duties and responsibilities.

Benefits to you

At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities, on‑site leisure facilities, a shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme includes reduced‑cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site, free Park‑and‑Ride journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites, and a free route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.

On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. We have recently launched the first staff pod break spaces in the Deakin Centre, featuring a purpose‑created colleague‑only café with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge.

CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work‑life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part‑time working, job‑share, term‑time working and flexible start and finish times.

We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.

Person Specification

Qualifications – Essential

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree or equivalent
• HCPC Registration
• RCSLT member
• Evidence of successful completion of specialist short courses in both dysphagia, and speech, language and communication.

Qualifications – Desirable

• Member of relevant RCSLT CEN(s)

Experience – Essential

• Post‑graduate experience of working with individuals with speech, language and communication needs, including proven independent assessment, treatment and management of patients.
• Post‑graduate experience of working with individuals with eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties including assessment, treatment and management of patients.
• Experience in developing and delivering training to other professionals.
• Experience of supervising students.
• Involvement in multidisciplinary working.

Experience – Desirable

• Experience of instrumental assessment.
• Experience of working in an acute environment.
• Experience of working with babies, children and young people.

Knowledge – Essential

• Well established knowledge of a range of assessment tools and therapeutic interventions in the areas of communication and dysphagia.
• Demonstrate knowledge of RCSLT guidelines and national policies and procedures relevant to client group.
• Understanding of the principles of clinical governance / audit and use of outcome measures.
• Understanding of the roles of other professionals relevant to client group.
• Knowledge of standards of record keeping.

Skills – Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including observation, listening and empathy skills.
• Good auditory and perceptual discriminator skills for analysis of voice and speech, including phonetic transcription.
• Good presentation skills, both verbal and written.
• Demonstrates ability to be an effective team member.
• Negotiation and problem solving skills.
• Good analytical and reflection skills.
• Prioritisation and organisational skills.
• Demonstrates ability to lead on service projects.
• Computer skills for the preparation of reports, presentations and therapy materials.

Skills – Desirable

• Counselling skills.

Additional Requirements – Essential

• The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Safe, Kind, Excellent.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country 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. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Addenbrookes Hospital‑Division B

Hills Road

Cambridge

CB2 0QQ

Employer's website

https://www.cuh.nhs.uk