Job summary
INTERNAL MPFT APPLICATIONS ONLY

Are you an experienced and passionate physiotherapy professional ready to make a real difference in the lives of children and young people? This is an exciting opportunity to lead and shape the Children's Physiotherapy Service across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, driving clinical excellence and improving outcomes for children with complex needs.

As Clinical Lead, you will provide advanced specialist clinical care, using your expertise in assessment, diagnosis and treatment to deliver high-quality, personalised care. You will play a pivotal role in providing clinical leadership, supporting and inspiring colleagues, and developing innovative, evidence-based approaches to improve service delivery.

Working collaboratively with families, carers, multidisciplinary teams and partner organisations, you will help shape the future of children's physiotherapy through service development, research, education and continuous improvement.

This is an opportunity to bring your clinical expertise, leadership skills and passion for improving children's lives to a role where you can make a meaningful and lasting difference.

Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide clinical leadership and advanced specialist physiotherapy care for children and young people with complex needs across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. Main duties include undertaking advanced clinical assessments, diagnosis and treatment, managing complex caseloads and prioritising referrals, providing expert clinical advice and guidance, supervising, mentoring and developing staff, leading service development and quality improvement by contributing to research, clinical audit and governance to ensure safe, effective and evidence-based patient care.

About us
Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.

We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.

We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.

We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.

Please note, we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.

Please note: If you use Artificial Intelligence (AI) as part of your application, we encourage you to review the Trust's guidance on the use of AI within the recruitment process. Further information can be found on Join Us :: Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust or www.mpft.nhs.uk/joinus

Job responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
The post holder will work autonomously as Clinical Lead for the Childrens Physiotherapy Service, providing advanced assessment, diagnosis and evidence-based treatment for children and young people with complex needs.

• Manage complex caseloads, develop individualised treatment plans and determine appropriate interventions and care pathways.
• Support referral triage and prioritisation, providing specialist advice to patients, families and healthcare professionals.
• Apply advanced clinical reasoning, recognise clinical risks and work within professional competence.
• Deliver safe, effective and patient-centred care based on current evidence.

Clinical Leadership and Service Development
The post holder will lead clinical practice and drive service improvement.

• Provide clinical guidance and collaborate with managers, professional leads and multidisciplinary teams.
• Develop and review clinical guidelines, policies, protocols and pathways.
• Promote evidence-based practice, innovation, efficiency and appropriate delegation.
• Represent the service at relevant meetings, committees and professional networks.

Education, Training and Clinical Supervision
The post holder will support staff development through education, supervision and mentorship.

• Provide clinical supervision, mentorship and professional guidance.
• Support staff induction, competency development and continuing professional development.
• Identify training needs and contribute to education programmes for staff and healthcare professionals.
• Educate patients and families, support student placements and contribute to developing future practitioners.

Research, Audit and Evidence-Based Practice
The post holder will support research and the development of evidence-based practice.

• Contribute to research, clinical audit and service evaluation.
• Apply current evidence, national guidance and professional standards to clinical practice.
• Develop and review evidence-based protocols and guidelines.
• Use outcome measures, audit findings and feedback to improve services and maintain links with universities and clinical networks.

Clinical Governance, Quality and Patient Safety
The post holder will promote safe, effective and high-quality care.

• Participate in clinical governance, audit, benchmarking and quality improvement.
• Support investigations into clinical incidents, complaints and risks, implementing relevant recommendations.
• Ensure compliance with organisational policies, professional standards and national guidance.
• Maintain accurate clinical records and promote patient and carer involvement in service development.

Communication and Partnership Working
The post holder will build effective relationships with children, families, colleagues and partner organisations.

• Communicate complex clinical information sensitively, adapting approaches to individual needs.
• Build effective relationships across multidisciplinary teams and health, education and social care services.
• Provide specialist advice and promote coordinated, patient-centred care.
• Represent the service at relevant meetings and professional networks.

Professional Responsibilities
The post holder will maintain high professional standards and contribute to service development.

• Practise autonomously within an agreed scope of advanced clinical practice.
• Maintain competence through reflection, supervision, appraisal and continuing professional development.
• Demonstrate accountability, sound clinical judgement and compliance with professional standards and organisational policies.
• Support service development and the delivery of high-quality, patient-centred care.

Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential

• Professional Qualification and Registration as a Physiotherapist
• Relevant validated clinical courses e.g. University accredited modules
• Masters level award or equivalent or willingness to work towards

Desirable

• Post Graduate Leadership Qualification/relevant experience
• Evidence of teaching at a multi-professional level
• Teaching or mentoring qualifications
• ACP qualification

Experience
Essential

• Able to demonstrate having worked in an autonomous expert role utilising clinical assessment skills in highly complex situations.
• Experience of leading clinical audit / evaluation
• Extensive clinical and leadership experience within a community setting
• Experience of using Quality Improvement methodologies
• Supervisory skills / Experience of supervising therapists
• Recent experience of designed and delivered teaching or education packages to service users, carers and health care staff

Desirable

• Previous work at Regional or National level
• Experience of engaging in research

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
Essential

• Highly advanced knowledge in Children's Physiotherapy: assessment and management and ability to identify 'red flags'
• Sound understanding of care delivery in the NHS, priorities, pressures and strategy
• Extensive knowledge of delivery methods and approaches
• High level clinical assessment, examination, investigation and diagnostic skills
• Able to produce high quality reports, policies and protocols
• High quality record keeping
• Ability to influence, initiate and manage change

Desirable

• Demonstrate the application of advanced clinical practice skills and knowledge
• Non-Medical Prescribing (NMP)

Personal Attributes
Essential

• Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills, self-motivation and the ability to work independently
• Shows flexibility and adaptability in responding to changing service needs, with the ability to travel independently between Trust sites
• Demonstrates the Trust's values and behaviours, providing compassionate leadership and promoting equality, diversity, equity and belonging in clinical practice and leadership

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.

Employer details
Employer name: Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Stafford Central Clinic, Stafford, ST16 3AQ, United Kingdom
Employer's website: Apply through our website

Contact: AHP/Community Paeds Service Manager, Kate Silvester, Kathryn.Silvester@mpft.nhs.uk, 03007907000

Salary: £57,528 to £64,750 a year per annum per rota
Band: Band 8a
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 301-LBG-26-8325982
Closing date: 03 November 2026