Closing date: 16 August 2026

Job summary
Physiotherapy Lead - Shape the Future of Children's Therapy

Step into a role where your expertise genuinely influences the quality of care children receive. As our new Physiotherapy Lead, you'll guide the development of a service committed to delivering exceptional outcomes and evidence-based practice.

We are a small, friendly, and highly skilled children's physiotherapy team providing both Neurodisability and Musculoskeletal services. Our service culture values professional leadership, continuous learning, and high-quality care. We're looking for someone who can strengthen our clinical delivery, champion quality improvement, and inspire excellence across the team.

You'll be based in our purpose-built Child Development Centre (CDC), working alongside a multidisciplinary team and within easy reach of central London and Surrey.

Professional development is at the heart of our service. You'll have access to regular in-service training, clinical forums, research opportunities, and leadership support from the Head of Children's Therapies and the wider AHP workforce. The Trust also offers a range of internal and external leadership and management programmes to support your growth.

This is an exciting time to join us. The Trust is developing its first Babies, Children and Young Persons Strategy, and you'll play a key role in shaping how it comes to life within physiotherapy practice.

Previous applicants need not apply

Main duties of the job

• You will be responsible for the day to day running of the Children's physiotherapy service.
• You will be responsible for delivering the teams KPIs and performance targets with support from the Head of Children's Therapies.
• You will provide clinical support, supervision and line management of the physiotherapy team.
• You will be responsible for ensuring high quality, evidence-based therapy pathways are in place with appropriate outcome measures.
• You will be responsible for ensuring that clinical audit, staff development and quality improvement becomes truly embedded within the service and part of daily clinical practice.
• You will provide high quality assessment and treatment to CYP within a defined clinical caseload.
• You will work within a multi-agency and disciplinary approach contributing to integrated clinical practice.

About us
Croydon Health Services NHS Trust provides hospital and community services across Croydon through a range of clinics and specialist centres. Formed in August 2010 from the integration of Croydon Community Health Services and Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust, we employ around 4,100 staff serving a diverse population of over 360,000 people.

Our main site, Croydon University Hospital, is one of the busiest in London. We are also leading the way in delivering more healthcare in community settings and people's homes. Our district nursing teams, Allied Health Professionals and community matrons care for people of all ages across the borough.

Like the wider NHS, we are working hard to meet increasing demand. With the right people on board, we continue to innovate and transform our services to provide the highest quality care for local residents. We place strong emphasis on education, training and career development for all staff.

If you want to make a real difference, challenge yourself and be part of a Trust that's shaping local healthcare, Croydon Health Services could be the place for you.

At Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, we are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements. Applicants are encouraged to discuss any flexibility they may need during the recruitment process.

Details
Date posted: 03 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8a
Salary: £63,665 to £70,887 a year per annum inc HCAS (Outer)
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 199-8011175-RB-NA-A
Job locations: Crystal Child Development Centre, Malling Close, London, CR0 7YD, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
To have more details regarding this vacancy, Please see and read the Job description and person specs.

Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential

• Recognised Diploma or Degree in Physiotherapy
• HPCP Physiotherapy Registration
• Evidence of ongoing CPD relevant to paediatric physiotherapy

Desirable

• Master's degree or equivalent level of learning
• Member of CSP &/or APCP

Knowledge and Experience
Essential

• Extensive Experience (over 5 years) of working as a paediatric physiotherapist in acute and community settings
• Excellent knowledge of a wide variety of paediatric conditions including neurodevelopmental, orthopaedic and musculoskeletal conditions
• Extensive experience of implementing evidence-based practice including goal setting with families and use of outcome measures.
• Understanding of governance and assurance systems and application to practice.
• Excellence leadership and team player skills
• Experience of prioritising and managing multiple projects to deadline
• Extensive Knowledge of the current local and national NHS, social care and Education legislation, policy and agendas

Desirable

• Experience of managing a budget
• Knowledge and application of HR procedures

Skills
Essential

• Excellent clinical skills in paediatric physiotherapy and the ability to implement these in practice.
• Demonstrates up to date, evidenced based knowledge of current clinical and professional issues.
• Experience of autonomously managing a complex caseload
• Experience of developing and implementing training for staff and students
• Experience of multi-disciplinary working and skill-sharing
• Proven experience of developing and implementing clinical pathways, clinical audits and Quality Improvement initiatives.
• Demonstrates excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills.
• Experience of working within a multi-cultural setting
• High levels of self-reflection and evidence of working as a reflective practitioner
• Computer literate, proven ability to use Word, Excel and email.
• Ability to travel between sites and across the Borough during the working day.
• Ability to demonstrate effective prioritisation, organisational and planning skills across a broad range of complex activities, formulating and adjusting plans as required.

Desirable

• Experience of developing and providing training to parents and care givers and education staff

Additional information
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: Croydon Health Services NHS Trust
Address: Crystal Child Development Centre, Malling Close, London, CR0 7YD, United Kingdom
Employer's website: Apply through our website

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Head of Children's Therapies, Fiona Kingsley, fiona.kingsley1@nhs.net, 07557158856

Supporting documents
Croydon Health Services NHS Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)