Principal Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, Cleft Lip & Palate


Company:	Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Salary:	£57,528 - £64,750 per annum (pro rata for part time)
Hours:	Part-time
Location:	Nottingham, NG5 1PB
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	10 Jul 2026
Closing date:	20 Aug 2026

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Summary

A Vacancy at Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

A vacancy has arisen in Trent Regional Cleft Network for a highly specialised Principal Speech and Language Therapist in the area of cleft palate and related disorders.

The post holder will be employed by Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to contribute to a service level agreement to deliver SLT services to Trent Regional Cleft Network hosted by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. The post will be based at the Trent Regional Cleft Centre, situated on the Nottingham City Hospital Campus.

TheTrent Regional Cleft Network supports children and adults with cleft lip and palate and related disorders across a large geographical area covering Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley, Doncaster, Scunthorpe and Grimsby. The service caters for approximately 80-100 cleft births per year.

Nottingham SLT Service (hosted by Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust) is a large paediatric SLT department with a range of specialist therapists, training opportunities and professional support.

The post holder will work closely with the Regional Lead SLT and as part of a team of Specialist SLTs across the region, helping provide an effective regional cleft SLT service.

They will act as the identified specialist managing the cleft caseload for an agreed area of the region. They will work closely with local SLT services across the region to ensure clients receive the highest possible standards of care.

They will be required to deputise for the Regional Lead SLT for Trent Regional Cleft Network as necessary.

They will be an integral member of the multidisciplinary cleft team working closely with the surgeons, orthodontists, nurses and psychologists to ensure holistic care-planning.

Applicants should have excellent communication and organisational skills, broad paediatric experience, specialist knowledge/skills in the area of cleft palate and VPD and an ability to motivate others. They will be highly motivated and compassionate with excellent team-working skills.

The post is likely to require work on an outreach basis across the region for up to 50% of the time. A current driving license and a willingness to travel and work away from the base is essential.

Owing to existing clinic arrangements across the region, a commitment to working on a Friday will be essential.

The post would suit an existing specialist or someone who can show an outstanding commitment to developing their skills and knowledge in this area.

#TeamNottsHC comprises over 10,500 dedicated colleagues who #MakeADifference every day. We deliver intellectual disability, mental health, community health and forensic health services across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and South Yorkshire. Our care is provided from over 80 sites, spanning community locations, acute settings and secure environments.

We are one of the largest mental health and community health Trusts in the East Midlands and one of Nottinghamshire's biggest employers. We also host national and regional services, such as the National High Secure Deaf Service and the Nottingham Centre for Transgender Health.

We offer a variety of employee-led staff networks, including Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) groups, the Green Champions network, the Freedom to Speak Up network, the Health and Wellbeing Champions network, and the Menopause Champions network. These networks play a vital role in supporting our diverse workforce and promoting a culture of inclusivity.

The health and wellbeing of colleagues is a top priority. We invest significantly in this through our in-house occupational health and staff counselling services, supported by a dedicated Health and Wellbeing team.

The Trust is committed to reducing its carbon emissions, with a specialised Energy and Environmental team working to ensure compliance with environmental legislation, enhance our environmental performance, and achieve our net-zero commitment.

To take a lead role in the assessment and treatment of a highly specialised caseload of clients with cleft palate and related disorders.

To be autonomous and responsible for the assessment, formulation and management of a highly specialist clinical caseload ensuring evidence-based practice.

To coordinate SLT care plans for children and adults with cleft lip and palate / velopharyngeal dysfunction in a designated area of Trent Regional Cleft Network. This includes providing support to local SLTs and other professional involved with these clients in the form of expert advice, second opinions and joint visits.

To act as a key member of the multidisciplinary cleft team, provide regular clinical input to combined cleft clinics and palate investigation clinics

and contribute to clinical management decisions.

To participate in research and audit projects both locally and nationally in collaboration with other members of the Trent Regional Cleft

multidisciplinary team and colleagues across the UK.

To contribute to Trent Regional Cleft Service training and research presentations at a national / international level.

To provide support to less experienced SLTs across the Trent Region and supervise students on placement allocated to the pathway.

Required to attend specialist short course and advanced training and development in order to maintain and develop relevant skills and knowledge required of a highly skilled specialist therapist working in the field of cleft lip and palate / velopharyngeal dysfunction (through attendance at Clinical Excellence Networks, relevant courses, peer review, clinical shadowing and reading) and maintain HCPC and RCSLT registration.

To maintain up-to-date and accurate case records in line with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC UK) standards and Trust policies and

procedure.

A full UK driving licence and vehicle for business use is required for this post; however reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled individuals in line with the Equality Act 2010.

Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. The cost of the DBS application is £26.40 (standard) or £54.40 (enhanced), this cost will be deducted from your salary over the first 2 months of employment.

You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. An annual fee of £16 per year applies.

This advert closes on Sunday 30 Aug 2026

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