Specialist Paediatric Physiotherapist

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly specialist Band 7 Paediatric Physiotherapist to join the Community Children’s Therapy Team at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Full UK Driving Licence is essential for this role.

This post provides specialist physiotherapy assessment, treatment and management for babies, children and young people with complex, chronic, disabling and life‑limiting conditions across community settings. The role requires advanced clinical reasoning, autonomous decision‑making and close multi‑agency working to support children with highly complex physical, neurological and developmental needs.

The post holder will hold a specialist caseload, contribute to service development, and provide clinical leadership, education and support to colleagues within the multidisciplinary team. This is a lone‑working role within the community, requiring a high level of professional accountability and adherence to Trust policies.

Main duties of the job

To provide highly specialist physiotherapy assessment, treatment and ongoing management for children and young people with complex and multiple needs. To independently manage a specialist caseload, prioritising work according to clinical risk and service need. To work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary and multi‑agency framework including health, education, social care and voluntary sector partners. To provide specialist advice, training and support to colleagues, families and partner agencies. To contribute to service development, audit, quality improvement and clinical governance activity within the Community Children’s Therapy Service. To act as a source of specialist knowledge and clinical expertise within paediatric physiotherapy.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical responsibilities

• To undertake comprehensive, highly specialist assessment of babies, children and young people using advanced clinical reasoning, standardised assessments and observational skills.
• To plan, deliver and evaluate specialist physiotherapy interventions in a variety of community environments, including home, school and clinic settings.
• To formulate, implement and regularly review individualised treatment plans and goals, adapting interventions in response to changing clinical presentation or circumstances.
• To assess, prescribe and review specialist paediatric equipment and liaise with orthotics and equipment services as required.
• To provide specialist advice to support diagnostic formulation and communicate complex, sensitive information to families in an understandable and compassionate manner.
• To accept professional accountability for clinical decision‑making and risk management within a complex caseload.

Caseload management

• To manage a defined specialist caseload autonomously, prioritising referrals and interventions based on clinical need, safeguarding considerations and risk.
• To work as a lone practitioner in the community in accordance with Trust lone‑working policies and procedures.
• To maintain accurate, timely and professional clinical records in line with Trust standards.

Leadership, education and support

• To provide specialist advice, guidance and informal supervision to junior staff, students and support workers.
• To contribute to the education and training of colleagues, students and multi‑agency partners in relation to paediatric physiotherapy practice.
• To support a culture of learning, reflective practice and continuous improvement within the team.

Multi‑agency working

• To work closely with colleagues across health, education and social care to develop coordinated, child‑centred care plans.
• To contribute specialist physiotherapy reports and attend relevant meetings including education reviews, safeguarding meetings and case conferences as required.
• To provide advice for statutory processes including SEND assessments and education‑based manual handling risk assessments.

Governance, quality and professional responsibilities

• To ensure all practice is evidence‑based and aligned with professional standards, national guidance and Trust policies.
• To participate in audit, service evaluation and quality improvement activity.
• To identify and escalate clinical risks, incidents or safeguarding concerns in line with Trust procedures.
• To maintain HCPC registration and demonstrate ongoing professional development through CPD and appraisal.
• To actively promote the Trust’s values and contribute to a safe, inclusive and respectful working environment.