About this role
Job summary
Fixed-term/Secondment until Jan 2027
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Speech and Language Therapy team within Cleft.NET.East, the East ofEngland regional multidisciplinary cleft lip and palate service based at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge.
We are seeking an enthusiastic, organised and flexible clinician with significant experience and a strong interest in cleft-related speech disorders and/or non-cleft velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD). This role offers the opportunity to develop
advanced clinical skills while contributing to specialist multidisciplinary care for children and adults across the regionand supporting ongoing service development.
Experience within a specialist cleft centre is highly desirable however, applications from other services are warmlywelcomed and provide an excellent opportunity to gain insight into specialist cleft work and experience within adedicated regional team.
Main duties of the job
Based at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge but with regular travel to outreach settings, you will be an integral member of the multi-disciplinary team, independently providing cleft specialist SLT input to the full rangeof multi and uni-disciplinary clinics run within the service. This includes regular multi-disciplinary combined clinics bothcentrally and in outreach settings, velopharyngeal investigation (videofluoroscopy) clinics and SLT assessment andintervention out-patient clinics. You will be responsible for your own SLT caseload including at least one outreach area.
Developing and maintaining positive and collaborative relationships with colleagues in community services is essentialas is an ability and willingness to travel throughout the network as we run regular multi-disciplinary and uni-disciplinaryclinics across the region.
Another core aspect of the role is to be part of delivering the on-going teaching, training and support that we provide to less experienced members of our team at the centre, our community and multi-disciplinary colleagues and students. Audit, service evaluation and research is also integral to our service and, together with innovation, a key aspect of our on-going service plans to ensure the quality and sustainability of the service and the pursuit of evidence to inform best practice.
You will therefore be involved in the development and delivery of these activities and encouraged and supported to develop ideas and projects.
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.
Job description Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:- applied for a Graduate visa- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment
This vacancy will close at midnight on 17th May 2026
Interviews are due to be held on 2nd June 2026
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the 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. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
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.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Recognised Speech and Language Therapy qualification - undergraduate or post-graduate degree or equivalent Evidence of recent attendance at specialist short courses/CPD events related to speech in cleft palate and velopharyngeal dysfunction Registered member of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) Willingness to undertake further post-graduate qualifications/training in specialist area
Desirable
Post-graduate cleft palate speech qualification to masters level or equivalent Student/Clinical supervision training Cleft Audit Protocol for Speech - Augmented (CAPS-A) training completion Further training in counselling skills Evidence of post-graduate research training/ qualifications
Experience Essential
Post-graduate experience of working as an SLT within a specialist cleft centre or extensive experience of working with children and/or adults with speech difficulties related to cleft palate and non-cleft velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD) as a majority part of role. Extensive experience of delivering SLT intervention to children with cleft speech characteristics Extensive experience in the assessment, differential diagnosis and management of speech and communication difficulties in children and/or adults Experience of participating in and evaluating velopharyngeal investigations Experience of involvement in the care of complex conditions and/or syndromes associated with cleft palate and/or VPD Evidence of substantial experience and competence in the independent assessment and management of speech disorders in children Experience in developing and delivering appropriate intervention approaches for specific types of speech/communication impairment at different ages and stages of development Substantial experience of effective inter-disciplinary working Experience of developing and delivering formal/informal training to parents/carers and/or other professionals Experience of supervising/supporting SLT students and/or less experienced SLTs
Desirable
Membership of Cleft SLT CEN Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team Experience in the management of acquired speech disorders Experience of managing speech/communication impairment in adults Publication of research in cleft speech related topic in peer reviewed journal Experience of using/ interpreting nasendoscopy, nasometry, electropalatography Experience in assessment, treatment and management of patients with voice disorders NHS Experience
Knowledge Essential
Well established current knowledge of the assessment and management (including SLT intervention approaches) of speech in people with cleft palate and non-cleft VPD Knowledge of MDT roles, care-pathways and management of people with cleft lip and palate Well-established knowledge of anatomy, physiology and neurology in relation to speech perception and production Well established knowledge of communication development and impairment and the range of factors that may impact or influence these. Knowledge of RCSLT guidelines and national and local polices and procedures relevant to client group. In-depth understanding of the principles of clinical governance/audit/service evaluation to monitor and improve services Knowledge of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and extensions to IPA conventions for transcription of disordered speech Knowledge of, and up-to-date with, recent research evidence Knowledge of cultural and bi/multilingual considerations for SLTs working with this population Knowledge/understanding of current challenges for regional cleft SLT care in the UK
Desirable
Knowledge of current theories of speech development and disorder Knowledge of research design and methodology and of NHS research implementation processes Knowledge of national audit requirements for UK cleft services
Skills Essential
Ability to be innovative and flexible with SLT intervention approaches Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills with patients, families and other professionals Advanced ability to apply knowledge of anatomy, neurology and physiology relating to speech, hearing, breathing in developing diagnostic hypotheses Highly developed auditory/perceptual discrimination and associated transcription and phonological analysis skills for evaluation of speech/resonance Advanced problem solving skills for the differential diagnosis and management of complex cases including cleft and non-cleft speech features Ability to take initiative and to work independently Commitment to fulfilling team objectives Excellent presentation skills, both verbal and written Ability to be an effective team member and assume appropriate leadership responsibilities Sensitivity to the complex nature of working relationships across the network Ability to adjust working methods and be flexible to maximise the effectiveness of SLT procedures Excellent analytical, reflective, prioritisation and organisational skills Counselling and negotiation skills Commitment to comprehensive record keeping Competent IT skills, including Microsoft Office software High levels of adaptability and flexibility in relation to service and practice changes, day-to-day tasks, travel Highly empathetic approach to patient care/team dynamics
Desirable
Advanced clinical skills in analysis and interpretation of videofluoroscopic and nasendoscopic assessment of VPD Skills in the use of technical equipment: video camera, nasometry, videofluoroscopy, Electropalatography (EPG) or Ultrasound (US) for assessment, diagnostic, intervention and audit purposes Proven inter-rater reliability in phonetic transcription of disordered speech Skill in application of psycholinguistic theory to therapy programmes
Aditional 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. Adaptability: able to work with a wide range of patients in a full range of clinical contexts while simultaneously integrating the needs of the patient/family Capable of sustained concentration for long interviews with distressed/ anxious clients and families Must have developed strategies for containing personal, team and organisational stress, and abilities to support others with this Ability to tolerate flexible and mobile working conditions Seeks and uses professional support appropriately Puts into practice the principle of confidentiality Demonstrates professional curiosity Aware of the range of emotions in self and others Shows respect for others' feelings, views, circumstances Able to listen to and accept feedback Has a balanced understanding of self and others Awareness of unconscious bias, equality, diversity and inclusion considerations Has a realistic knowledge of personal strengths and areas for development
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 Employer name Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address Addenbrookes Hospital-Division B
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
Employer's website https://www.cuh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)