About this role
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Specialist Physiotherapist to join our Rehabilitation services team on a fixed term contract until November 2026. You will lead in delivering interventions that support the child and their family centred to reach their goals through evidence-based practice, in order to promote physical skills and participation in home, school and family life.
Main duties of the job
The specialist physiotherapy involves working in inpatient rehabilitation including young people accessing outpatient rehabilitation.
As part of the physiotherapy service, you will lead in delivering interventions that support the child and their family centred to reach their goals through evidence-based practice, in order to promote physical skills and participation in home, school and family life.
Our service delivery aims to promote outcome focussed interventions, safe care, function and participation of children and young people accessing home, school, and community life. You will deliver child and family focused, goal led interventions at a specialist level within a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency setting.
About us
About Us
The Childrens Trust is the UKs leading charity for children with acquired brain injury, providing expert rehabilitation, education, therapy, and care at our national specialist centre in Tadworth, and to children and their families across the UK, via our Brain Injury Community Service.
Boasting a beautiful 24-acre site in Surrey, we are located just outside of London, close to the M25 (accessible via Junction 8, A217 to Tadworth) and easily accessible via National Rail, by way of: Clapham Junction, Sutton, and Epsom.
Staff Benefits
The work we do is highly rewarding, and in addition to an attractive salary, we offer a valuable range of benefits, including, adoption pay, time off for fertility treatment, enhanced paternity leave, paid carers leave, time out days for those experiencing menopause symptoms, time off for gender reassignment.
We also offer additional annual leave days for those with long service, with entitlements ranging from 35 to 41 days (including bank holidays) depending on your length of service.
Other benefits include free on-site parking; a staff shuttle service from Epsom and Sutton train stations to Tadworth Court, subsidised cafeteria, on-site staff accommodation (subject to availability), the ability to retain your NHS pension (where applicable) or the opportunity to join an alternative scheme, and the opportunity to develop your career in a supportive and collaborative environment.
Job description Job responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
Provide high quality, evidence-based physiotherapy provision for children and young people, in partnership with other members of the multi-disciplinary team services in rehabilitation, step down and short break services.Undertake specialist physiotherapy assessments of children with a range of needs including highly complex needs.To assess for, plan, deliver and evaluate physiotherapy interventions for children using facilities available both on and off The Childrens Trust site.To produce functional and participation-based goals in collaboration with the child / young person, family, and MDT.To devise suitable individual physiotherapy and 24-hour postural management advice for each child in collaboration with their parents, and the MDT. These will be monitored/ evaluated and adjusted appropriately according to the needs of the child.To work collaboratively with families to maximise engagement in therapy sessions, support management of their childs needs and promote confidence in meeting their childs needs.To assess for, and organise provision of, necessary therapy equipment and/or orthotics.To work closely with all members of the MDT and the child and family to provide a fully integrated approach to the overall management of the child.To support the implementation of specific respiratory physiotherapy programmes and plans with the support of highly specialist physiotherapy staff.To liaise with all appropriate medical staff whether employed by The Childrens Trust, visiting consultants or at off-site clinics. To attend clinics / grand rounds as required.To work collaboratively and openly with professional colleagues in other services to facilitate the admission and transition process.To take on the role of Coordinating Therapist following team discussion or as requested by the Head of Rehabilitation Therapies in accordance with the profile description.To keep appropriate and accurate intervention records which fulfil legal, professional and the requirements of The Childrens Trust.To contribute to child related reports as required and assist with the collation of these as required in a timely manner.To provide clinical cover across the service during episodes of staff shortage/heavy workload to ensure effective service delivery.Work flexibly in terms of hours if required for service delivery.To undertake other or additional duties that are within your skills and abilities, as the organisation may reasonably require from time to time.Work collaboratively with the community and inpatient rehabilitation therapy teams to deliver timely assessments, goal setting, treatment planning, intensive therapy and meaningful outcomes for children and young people.Provide effective, timely and concise information to inform childrens progress reporting, discharge planning and transfer of input to local community services.
Communication
Communicate effectively with children/young people, applying the principles of consistent communication.Facilitate effective communication with families and members of the Multidisciplinary Team.Recognise barriers to effective communication and be able to reduce these as appropriate.Attend and contribute to Multidisciplinary Team meetings, to discuss individual children/ young people and service in general, as required e.g. reviews, case conferences, parents evenings, clinics, etc.Maintain clear and concise documents and records, in accordance with The Childrens Trust Policy.Ensure documents are managed confidentially at all times.Manage informal complaints, in line with The Childrens Trust polices and contribute to the resolution of written complaints, and as they occur taking immediate action where necessary.
Management of Self and Others
Provide support and supervision for junior team members and students, within area of responsibility, providing direction, motivation, and support to achieve key objectives.Participate in the annual Performance Development Review and monthly supervision sessions, as required by The Childrens Trust, both as Appraiser and Appraise.Manage time effectively, prioritising, and delegating work appropriately and as required.
Governance
Read and implement all policies, procedures, and risk assessments, pertinent to working practice and keep up to date with changes as and when they occur.Critically evaluate practice through clinical audits and by appraisal of the information gained, in combination with current knowledge of evidence-based practice; identify opportunities for service improvement and development, with support from Highly Specialist Therapists/ Heads of Therapy.Continue the audit cycle, by evaluating any changes implemented as a result. This should include the adoption of evidence informed practice, the trial of emerging interventions and the cessation of interventions, where evidence is insufficient and other approaches are indicated.Recognise and critically appraise situations where the effectiveness, efficiency and quality of the service are compromised and take appropriate action to resolve the situation, with support from Highly Specialist Therapists/ Heads of Therapy.Critically reflect on own performance and that of other staff; and use this evaluation to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, and quality of future practice.Undergo The Childrens Trust Risk Assessor training, in order that all activities are risk assessed and documented in the most appropriate format. Ensure that detailed risk assessments are completed, as required.Actively participate in local clinical governance activities.
Career Long Learning, Education and Research
Undertake all mandatory training, in line with The Childrens Trust policy.Advance personal knowledge, understanding and skills in line with identified learning needs, by making appropriate use of a variety of learning and development resources and opportunities, e.g. by attending courses/ lectures, contact and involvement with relevant special interest groups and visiting other departments/ organisations and by conducting Literature Reviews.Prepare appropriately for Performance Development Reviews, identifying learning objectives and setting targets; identify opportunities for professional development in order to meet continuing professional development requirements.Participate in in-service competency training programmes and teaching sessions, as appropriate.Contribute to service development projects in line with departmental and organisational priorities.
Limits of Authority and Problem Solving
Make day-to-day decisions regarding physiotherapy requirements for children and young people, based on case load, including recommendations for specialist equipment.Responsible for day-to-day time management and prioritisation of workload, taking into account the needs of the whole service.Monthly formal supervision.Provides formal supervision monthly to junior Therapists and/or Multidisciplinary Technicians.Supporting the Physiotherapy Team and house-based multi-disciplinary team in delivery of an effective service.Any other duties as required.
Health and Safey
Adheres to all Health and Safety guidelines, principles, and regulations to perform your role and comply with The Childrens Trust policies and procedures.Provide evidence of all vaccinations (or medical exemption) required for the post.Adhere to manual handling procedures and complete mandatory manual handling training.Promotes the health and safety of others.Uses the incident reporting and risk assessment system (IRAR), to identify and report risks and incidents/actions if directed.Responsible for identifying and mitigating risk within the work environment.Wellbeing and Emotional ResilienceMaintains a positive approach and outlook when dealing with change and overcoming challenges and problems.Recognises own limitations, develops realistic goals, and uses support network resource when or if necessary.Treats challenges and problems as a learning experience.Remains organised and focused when under pressure.Responds appropriately and effectively to all constructive feedback.Motivates self and other.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Degree/Diploma in Physiotherapy HCPC Registration Continuous Professional Development, in line with regulatory body standards
Desirable
Masters in relevant field Member of Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Member of specialist interest group or forum
Experience Essential
Minimum of two years clinical experience post qualification Experience of working with children/young people with neurodisabilities and/ or specialist schools/ and or paediatrics Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team
Desirable
Experience in leading aquatic therapy sessions for CYP with neurodisabilities Experience of working with families Experience of SEND legislation and SEND tribunals Experience using specialist mobility and/ or moving and handling equipment
Knowledge Essential
Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding children and young people with complex disabilities Competent skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint Knowledge of relevant outcome measures and statutory outcome requirements
Desirable
Knowledge of current research, clinical audit and service evaluation methods
Skills & Abilities Essential
Knowledge of physiotherapy management for neurodisability, supported by clinical reasoning Clinical reasoning skills in predictable situations, analysing a variety of evidence and presenting this in a relevant format e.g. report, presentation Workload management, including delegation of tasks Observation and treatment skills, relevant to the assessment and management Ability to meet the physical demands of a school therapy physiotherapy role Attention to detail Ability to supervise others and enable development of their skills Professional integrity, particularly in clinical governance Ability to work flexibly, in order to meet the needs of the service, including an early evening (weekly) and one weekend day, per calendar month (N.B. there is no On Call service required) Competent written and verbal communication skills
Desirable
Risk assessment skills
Personal Qualities Essential
Physically fit and able to comply with organisational manual handling guidelines. Able to carry out moderate - intense physical effort throughout the working day and carry out concurrent activities Ability to cope with working in a demanding environment Flexible and can do attitude towards competing workloads and commitments Highly motivated and reliable Commitment to the vision and values of The Childrens Trust
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 The Children's Trust
Address The Childrens Trust
Tadworth Court
Tadworth
Surrey
KT20 5RU
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk/jobs (Opens in a new tab)