Specialist Speech and Language Therapist | Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust; March; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional health and social care provider is looking for a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist to support adults with learning disabilities. This role involves managing a complex caseload, providing assessments and tailored interventions, and contributing to multidisciplinary teams. Candidates should possess relevant qualifications and demonstrate clinical proficiency in communication needs management.

Qualifications

• Proficient in AAC including manual signing and symbol use.
• Experience with adults having complex learning disabilities.
• Demonstrated specialist knowledge through post-registration training.

Responsibilities

• Manage a specialist caseload and provide assessments.
• Supervise staff and contribute to service development.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team working.

Skills

Communication proficiency

Team management

Clinical advisory

Assessment skills

Dysphagia expertise

Education

Relevant Speech and Language Therapy qualification

Job description

Overview

We have an exciting opportunity for an Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, working with adults with learning (intellectual) disabilities in the Cambridgeshire Learning Disability Partnership (LDP). The service is well-established and there are many opportunities for development.

The LDP comprises five locality-based integrated community specialist health and care management Teams (Social Workers, Adult Support Co-ordinators, Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Occupational, Arts, and Speech & Language Therapists) and day and accommodation services organised by the Local Authority for adults with a learning disability. The SLT team comprises a Band 8a Lead Speech and Language Therapist, two Band 7 Advanced SLTs, two Band 6 Specialist SLTs and a Band 4 Apprentice SLT, all employed by CPFT. We have close links with colleagues working with people with learning disabilities elsewhere in CPFT and with clinicians and/or researchers at the University of East Anglia (UEA) and the Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge. The service regularly provides placements in learning disabilities for Speech and Language Therapy undergraduates at UEA.

The five teams aim to provide person-centred integrated specialist health and care management services that promote an individual’s right to choice, independence, health and wellbeing in line with their assessed needs and in a way that will promote their reaching their full potential.

Role and Responsibilities

• To participate in the delivery of countywide specialist LD Speech and Language Therapy by managing a team caseload of clients with complex learning disabilities.
• To provide professional supervision to other staff /students as appropriate including appraisal and professional development, particularly mandatory training.
• To contribute to the planning, development, and evaluation of learning disability services, including contributing to defined projects as delegated by the LDP management team.
• As an autonomous practitioner, to manage a specialist caseload providing assessment, identification and treatment of communication and swallowing needs of adults with a learning disability.
• To participate in multi-disciplinary/ multi-agency working within the LDP and with key partners.
• To demonstrate specialist knowledge and skills and have undertaken appropriate post-registration training.
• To be proficient in the assessment, identification, treatment and management of communication and swallowing needs of the learning disability population including risk assessment.
• To be proficient in Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) including manual signing and symbol use across a variety of communication environments.
• To have knowledge of and skills in sensory impairment as related to Adults with Learning Disability.
• To facilitate clients to access generic services as appropriate (reasonable adjustment).
• To facilitate and guide others in the development of information that is accessible to service users, staff, and carers.
• To provide Dysphagia assessment where there may be risk of contact with substances such as body fluids (saliva etc) and infection guidelines must be followed.
• To independently prioritise, maintain and manage a complex specialist Team SLT caseload within the context of the Learning Disability Partnership.
• To take a lead in the coordination of complex case work as a case manager for individuals.
• To have a good understanding of the specific needs of the service user group including at times of crisis (e.g. during placement breakdowns, mental health and physical health relapses and periods of distress behaviour).
• To recognise the impact of a person’s communication needs and tailor interaction to meet this need.
• To provide specialist clinical advice in relation to individual case work to professionals within the LDP.
• To work to reduce health inequalities for people with a Learning Disability by working with partners in primary and secondary care.

Other professional requirements

• Equipment & Systems: To have skills to input, analyse and present data/statistics to inform evidence-based practice. To develop a working knowledge of MOSAIC an integrated electronic system and Teams.
• Decisions & Judgements: To be accountable for own professional development and actions in line with professional registration requirements, national and local guidelines. To have understanding of Health and Social Care policy and legislation for the service user group in relation to your professional practice.
• Research & Audit: To contribute to the implementation of local, national strategies and service development using evidence-based practice. To participate in research and practice-based projects within the multi-agency context and present findings when required. To participate in health audit as required.
• Managerial & Financial Requirements: To have the knowledge and skills to offer quality student practice placements. To provide regular management and clinical supervision in line with HCPC and CPFT Policy where appropriate.

Organisation and Environment

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust is a health and social care organisation dedicated to providing high-quality care with compassion to improve the health and wellbeing of the people we care for, as well as supporting and empowering them to lead a fulfilling life. Our clinical teams deliver many NHS services, not only via inpatient and primary care settings, but also within the community. These services include children’s, adult and older people’s mental health, forensic and specialist mental health, learning disabilities, primary care and liaison psychiatry, substance misuse, social care, research and development.

Equality, Sponsorship and Closing Date

To achieve our goal, we look to recruit high-calibre candidates who share our vision and values. As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all sectors of the community, particularly from under-represented groups including people with long term conditions and members of our ethnic minority and LGBTQ+ communities.

Please be advised we reserve the right to close adverts earlier than the closing date should we receive sufficient applications.

Regrettably, we cannot offer sponsorship for all our job roles. If you apply for a role that we cannot offer sponsorship for, unfortunately, your application form will be rejected from the process.

For further information on CPFT, please visit our website at www.cpft.nhs.uk

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for fulldetails of responsibilities.

Clinical

The post holder will demonstrate specialist knowledge and skills and have undertaken appropriate post registration training.

To be proficient in the assessment, identification, treatment and management of the communication and swallowing needs of the learning disability population including risk assessment.

To be proficient in Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) including manual signing and symbol use across a variety of communication environments.

To have knowledge of and skills in sensory impairment as related to Adults with Learning Disability.

To facilitate clients to access generic services as appropriate (reasonable adjustment).

To facilitate and guide others in the development of information that is accessible to service users, staff, and carers.

To provide Dysphagia assessment where there may be risk of contact with substances such as body fluids (saliva etc) and infection guidelines must be followed.

To independently prioritise, maintain and manage a complex specialist Team SLT caseload within the context of the Learning Disability Partnership.

To take a lead in the coordination of complex case work as a case manager for individuals.

To have a good understanding of the specific needs of the service user group including at times of crisis (e.g. during placement breakdowns, mental health and physical health relapses and periods of distress behaviour).

To recognise the impact of a person’s communication needs and tailor interaction to meet this need.

To provide specialist clinical advice in relation to individual case work to professionals within the LDP.

To work to reduce health inequalities for people with a Learning Disability by working with partners in primary and secondary care.

Application notes

This advert closes on Wednesday 17 Sep 2025