About this role
Job summary
Brainbow was founded in 2013 as the first dedicated Neuro-Oncology rehabilitation service in the UK. The service was established by three local East of England charities, founded by the parents of children with brain tumours. Brainbow was launched with the aim 'to ensure that all children with Brain Tumours reach their full potential'. Over the past 10 years the department has grown and adapted to best meet the needs of the children and family it serves and is now a fully funded NHS service. Brainbow is a Multidisciplinary Team made up of a Clinical lead, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Education and Clinical Psychology. The department is supported by a service manager and administrative assistant.
This advert is for a fixed term, Band 4 Speech and Language Therapy Assistant. This role works within the Brainbow team, alongside two Speech and Language Therapists seeing children and young people up to the age of 16 within inpatient and outpatient settings.
Main duties of the job
You will work within the Brainbow service to assist in the provision of effective, evidence-based service under the supervision of a registered Speech and Language Therapist (SLT). This will include:
Working alongside the SLTs to support the delivery of speech and language therapy to patients. This will include assisting the SLT during assessments and therapy sessions for children with a range of communication difficulties. This will also include carrying out therapy sessions for children with a range of communication disorders and reviewing programmes as set by the speech and language therapist; in the inpatient, outpatient and community setting. You are not required to hold a clinical qualification, however they will ideally have previous experience working with children and/or young adults in a clinical or education setting.
You will also have relevant formal qualification or training and will be encouraged to become as associate member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists. You will be required to attend training in a number of communication therapy approaches.
To assist with training and teaching alongside the SLT.
Communication with patients, relatives, carers, social and health care professionals to assist the SLTs in ensuring an integrated, holistic approach to patient care. This will take place in both ward (in patient) and clinic/home (outpatient) environments.
Close working relationship with other members of the Brainbow multi-disciplinary team.
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.
All appointments with a start date on or after 1 October 2026 will be subject to a 12-week probationary period. This provides a structured and supportive period to help you settle into your role, with regular reviews and feedback.
As there is a 12-week probationary period, successful candidates are expected to have the Right to Work for a period of at least 6 months from the proposed start date. Immigration and Right to Work status will be discussed with successful candidates at conditional offer. CUH will not offer sponsorship to candidates that have applied for a fee waiver.
Please note:- Internal applicants on permanent contracts can apply for this post as a secondment. For secondments you must have the approval of your line manager before applying. If you are an internal applicant currently on a fixed term contract you are able to apply for this as a fixed term position.
This vacancy will close at midnight on 19th November 2026
Interviews are due to be held on 4th December 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
- Good general education to GCSE level or equivalent including English and Maths GCSE level A-C
- Relevant other qualification to A-level/ NVQ level 3 or equivalent
Desirable
- Evidence of achievement and/or attendance at short courses or relevant training related to speech, language, communication and swallowing.
- Associate member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
Experience
Essential
- Experience of supporting children and/or young adults with health, social or educational needs.
- Working as a team member
- Working with indirect supervision
Desirable
- Working with individuals with a communication impairment/ disability/ illness.
- Working in a clinical or education setting.
- Working with a Speech and Language Therapist
- Working as an assistant/ support worker/ carer role
- Use of Microsoft word and excel
- Use of apps
- NHS Experience
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of the NHS
- Knowledge of the role of Speech and Language Therapy
- Basic understanding of speech, language and communication difficulties in children and young adults
Desirable
- Evidence of participation in personal/ professional development activities relevant to post
- Knowledge of communication support methods
Skills
Essential
- Ability to use a range of communication skills including, but not limited to, building rapport, motivation, explanation and education
- Ability to follow instructions/ directions regarding tasks assigned
- Excellent listening and observation skills
- Able to report on patient related activities accurately and in detail, both verbally and in writing
- Skills in managing time/ prioritising work pressures
- IT skills including Microsoft word and Excel, Twitter, Apps
- Negotiating and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work autonomously when required and work with patients unsupervised
- Excellent communication skills including telephone, email, face to face
- Evidence of good organisational and administrative skills
- Motivation to carry out self-directed learning and show a commitment to personal and team development
- Ability to work as part of a team including liaising with professionals in medical and educational settings
- Ability to show excellent attention to detail and accuracy in all areas work
- Ability to work flexibly in order to adapt to change and cope under pressure
Desirable
- Able to adjust style of communication for those with communication difficulties
- Able to demonstrate sensitivity and empathy in order to motivate and support patients with physical, cognitive and communication difficulties
- Managing resources
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).
Employer details
Employer name
Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Addenbrookes Hospital-Division B
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.cuh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)