About this role
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Paediatric Physiotherapist to join a friendly team within the Children and Young People's Therapy Service (CYPTS) in Somerset.
This post offers the opportunity to work as part of a locality-based, integrated multi-disciplinary team delivering physiotherapy services to children and young people aged 0--19 years with a wide range of needs, including motor, sensory, musculoskeletal, respiratory and neurological difficulties. You will manage a specialist caseload of children and young people with complex needs.
The service is delivered across four integrated teams covering Somerset, in clinics, mainstream and special schools, preschool settings and family homes. We work closely with education, social care and health colleagues and are a proactive, forward-thinking service with strong regional and national links.
You will join an experienced team of Physiotherapists, alongside Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Therapy Support Practitioners and administrative staff. The service offers excellent clinical supervision, induction and development opportunities, including the ability to develop specialist interests and support service development.
We would welcome applications from Band 5 Physiotherapists looking to develop experience in paediatrics and progress into a Band 6 role.
Main duties of the job
Independently manage and prioritise a specialist caseload of children and young people with complex physical and developmental needs.Assess, diagnose and deliver individualised physiotherapy interventions, evaluating outcomes and adapting treatment plans as required.Work across a variety of settings including clinics, schools, early years environments and family homes.Work collaboratively with children, young people, families, carers, education staff and other professionals to support coordinated care and goal setting.Contribute to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), reports, case conferences and review meetings.Provide specialist advice, training and support to parents, carers, education staff and other professionals.Work closely with Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language Therapy colleagues to deliver integrated care pathways.Supervise and support Band 5 staff, Therapy Support Practitioners, students and other colleagues as required.Participate in service development, audit, research and quality improvement activities.
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
Flexible working options to help you balance work and lifeNHS pension scheme for long-term financial securityGenerous annual leave allowance to recharge and relaxA strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potentialAdditionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job description Job responsibilities
As a Senior Paediatric Physiotherapist, you will work as part of a locality CYPTS team delivering physiotherapy services to children and young people with complex and diverse needs.
You will independently assess, diagnose and manage therapy using advanced clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice. This includes supporting children with motor, sensory, musculoskeletal, respiratory and neurological conditions with complex presentations.
You will manage your own caseload effectively, adapting to changing priorities and using information from multiple sources to inform clinical decision-making and intervention planning.
The role involves working across a wide range of settings including clinics, schools, early years settings and family homes. Travel across your locality and occasionally across the wider county will be required.
You will work closely with families, carers and education staff to support the delivery of therapy programmes and contribute to EHCP assessments, reviews and reports.
You will collaborate with Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists and other professionals to deliver integrated care and joined-up pathways.
You will also provide advice, teaching and training to professionals and support staff to promote best practice and improve outcomes.
As a Band 6 clinician, you will support the supervision and development of junior staff, students and therapy support practitioners, contributing to a strong learning environment.
You will contribute to audit, research and service development activity, supporting the continued improvement of CYPTS services across Somerset.
The role requires strong communication, organisational skills and the ability to work sensitively with children and families in a range of situations.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Recognised Degree or equivalent in PhysiotherapyHCPC registration and Member of Chartered Society of Physiotherapists
Desirable
Relevant post-graduate training in the form of short courses in a range of areas of Paediatric PhysiotherapyMember of ACPC
Experience Essential
Post-graduate experience in PhysiotherapyProven experience of Paediatric PhysiotherapyExperience of training othersExperience of contributing to service developmentExperience of supervision of othersEvidence of use of clinical opportunities to acquire specialist clinical skills in at least one area of Paediatric Physiotherapy
Additional Criteria Essential
Car driver or otherwise mobile with appropriate business insurance
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.
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 Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Address Robert Blake Centre
Hamp Avenue
Bridgwater
Somerset
TA6 6AW
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)