Principal Speech and Language Therapist

NHS; Greater London; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 72,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading children's hospital seeks a Principal Speech and Language Therapist to lead the Cleft Lip and Palate service. The successful candidate will have substantial experience in speech sound disorders and cleft palate intervention, collaborating within a multidisciplinary team. Responsibilities include managing clinical services and guiding junior staff. The role is part-time with a salary range of £64,156 to £71,148 per annum. Commitment to diversity and inclusion is emphasized, welcoming applications from underrepresented groups.

Benefits

Inclusive working environment

Qualifications

• Proven track record in supervising staff and delivering high-quality clinical care.
• Recognised postgraduate training in relevant communication difficulties.
• Experience in interdisciplinary team collaborations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the operational management of the Cleft SLT service.
• Oversee prioritisation of VPD caseload and service delivery.
• Contribute to service improvement projects in collaboration with colleagues.

Skills

Assessment and management of complex communication disorders

Team leadership and supervision

High level verbal and written communication

Experience with pediatric clients

Education

Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Qualifying Degree

Registered Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

Health Professions Council license to practice

Post accreditation Master's Degree

Job description

Go back Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust

Principal Speech and Language Therapist

The closing date is 20 January 2026

Ready to lead, inspire and thrive? An exciting opportunity has arisen to work within the Cleft Lip and Palate/Velopharyngeal Dysfunction service, which is part of the Surgical Speech and Hearing Services

You will join a dynamic Multi-Disciplinary Team with a broad range of specialist skills that delivers tertiary level care to children with complex medical conditions. A high level of experience in speech sound disorders and cleft palate speech is essential for this post

The caseload is predominantly CYP from birth-22 years with the opportunity to work in transition clinics. Your job plan incorporates 75% patient related activity and will work Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri. The team works predominantly on site; the first 3 months of this post will be onsite to facilitate upskilling and familiarisation with Trust systems and processes

The Speech and Language Therapy Service has a professional lead and additional leadership from a Head of Therapies and the Trust's Chief AHP. We work jointly with our AHP colleagues to support Research, Education, Quality Assurance, Outcomes and Workforce agendas and are embedding Clinical Academic pathways and Apprenticeships

We are keen to attract those with previous experience of working with CYP. You will have a proven track record of supervising staff. You will work collaboratively to coordinate expert and efficient clinical care across the surgical speech specialities with direct management support from the Team Lead for Surgical Speech Services.

Main duties of the job

• High level specialist assessment, management and treatment of complex cases of speech sound disorder (SSDs) arising from velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD) and differential diagnosis from other SSDs
• To take lead responsibility for the operational management of the Cleft SLT service, liaising with other SLT clinical experts to coordinate and optimise the use of resources across the SSH service
• To oversee the prioritisation and operational delivery of the VPD caseload for the VP Investigations Clinic, working closely the Team Lead for SSH
• To lead the CRANE/dashboard outcome analysis through consensus listening coordination, registry reporting, outcome analysis and collaboration with the Team lead, Clinical Director and wider Cleft MDT
• To undertake a leadership role for Cleft SLT service within SSH, supporting the team lead to provide a high quality, cohesive service
• To delegate responsibilities within the Cleft SLT team, reporting into the Team Lead in regular meetings to aid service development and change implementation
• To contribute to coordinated and efficient care pathways within the Cleft specialty and SSH service
• To keep the SSH Team Lead informed of significant service issues, including shortfall, service pressures, complaints and plaudits, and to support them in the transformation of the wider SSH service, providing reports of highly specialist caseload when requested
• To undertake service improvement projects in collaboration with SLT and MDT colleague

About us

We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as the communities we serve, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including people with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic heritage, people with a disability, and people from LGBTQ+ communities. By growing an ever more diverse workforce, we'll have a greater range of perspectives and knowledge, meaning that we can provide the children and young people at our hospital with even better care.

Our hospital is committed to creating an environment that is open and inclusive. Our staff are encouraged to engage with colleagues through the following networks: REACH (Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage) ENABLED (Enhancing Abilities & Leveraging Disabilities Network), PRIDE and Women's networks; all of which are sponsored by a member of our Executive Management Team.

We want to ensure that all of our people, regardless of their background, are seen and heard. We want to attract applicants that share our commitment to inclusion and that understand diversity is a strength that is embraced and valued.

Job responsibilities

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both documents please view the attachment/s below.

Person Specification

Combined Values

• Combined Values
• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Qualifying Degree or equivalent
• Registered Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Recognised postgraduate courses/training in communication difficulties associated with voice, complex airway and head and neck surgical interventions (Adults and/or Paeds
• Health Professions Council license to practice
• Basic level EDS competencies
• Training in clinical and student supervision
• Post accreditation Master's Degree

Experience/Knowledge

• Assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of children presenting with communication difficulties arising from complex speech sound disorders and velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD) arising from cleft palate and other craniofacial conditions or non-cleft VPD
• Evidence of providing SLT interventions for children/young people/adults with structural and/or neurological communication challenges who are Cleft Lip and Palate/VPD service
• Evidence of applying service improvement/research methodologies to clinical practice
• Experience in student clinical supervision
• Experience of interdisciplinary team working
• Experience of using informal and formal speech, resonance and language assessment techniques and tools for children across a range of age groups
• Evidence of Level B EDS competencies and application within clinical practice to either adults and/or CYP.
• Evidence of teaching SLTs and other professions
• Knowledge of a broad range communication assessment tools relevant to caseload.
• Knowledge of the impact of cultural issues for SLTs working with this caseload
• Knowledge of Instrumental Diagnostics and their Interpretation in the relevant caseload.

Skills/Abilities

• Experience of assessment, differential diagnosis, treatment and management of complex communication disorders
• Basic level competencies in the assessment and management of dysphagia.
• Skilled in the application of assessment and treatment methods appropriate for children and or young adults presenting with Organic and Functional Neurological Voice, Speech and Airway disorders
• High level verbal and written presentation skills
• Skills in leading on aspects of service delivery e.g. service transformation, audit and evaluation, liaison with internal and external stakeholders and the supervision and management of staff.

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.

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust

£64,156 to £71,148 a yearInclusive per annum pro rata

Contract

Secondment

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

271-CCS-7622034

Job locations

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust