Job summary
Are you an experienced Physiotherapist ready to shape the future of Physiotherapy inpatient services across Sussex? We are seeking an exceptional Principal Physiotherapist (Band 8a) to provide strategic, clinical, and professional leadership within our service. In this influential role, you will combine expert clinical practice with service development, workforce leadership, and innovation to deliver outstanding outcomes for people with mental health conditions across SPFT inpatient sites.

Working closely with the Consultant Physiotherapist, operational leaders, and multidisciplinary teams, you will champion evidence-based practice, drive quality improvement, and help develop services that truly make a difference. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated leader who is passionate about advancing Physiotherapy, supporting colleagues to thrive, and shaping the future of healthcare delivery.

Main duties of the job
As the Principal Physiotherapist, you will manage a specialist caseload while providing expert advice and guidance on complex clinical issues. You will lead and inspire Physiotherapy staff through supervision, mentorship, training, and professional development, ensuring the highest standards of care are consistently achieved.

You will play a pivotal role in service transformation, leading quality improvement projects, audits, research activities, and the development of innovative pathways. You will take the lead on Falls Prevention work for the Trust. Working collaboratively across disciplines and partner organisations, you will influence strategic decision-making, enhance patient outcomes, and ensure Physiotherapy remains at the forefront of evidence-based, person-centred care.

About us
Join Sussex Partnership and you'll be part of an NHS trust that allows you to thrive and, in turn, thrives because of you. We believe in the vibrancy of our fantastic people. And how that leads to even better support for the people who use our services.

When you join us, you'll be able to take advantage of our wide range of rewards and benefits. Here are some of the perks that make working at Sussex Partnership a great choice:

• Flexible Working
• Generous Pension and Holiday Entitlement
• Training and Development Opportunities
• Discounts and Savings
• Access to Staff Networks
• Access to Staff Wellbeing Support
• Free Parking

Details
Date posted: 13 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8a
Salary: £57,528 to £64,750 a year pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time, Flexible working
Reference number: 354-CO-21971-1
Job locations: Portland House, Richmond Road, Worthing, BN11 1FG, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

• The post-holder will be responsible for assessing and managing their own specialist caseload of patients/clients across the service.
• They will act as the Physiotherapy clinical lead providing expert clinical advice and input for clients with highly complex needs, where there may be barriers to understanding.
• In addition, the post-holder will lead on the development of their specialist service, playing a key role in shaping new service initiatives and strategic plans in conjunction with the Consultant Physiotherapist. They will provide professional leadership, clinical supervision, and mentorship for staff within the service, ensuring that high-quality care is maintained in line with professional, national, and local standards.
• The post-holder will also take a leading role in clinical audits and may undertake research to support service development and innovation. As well as being responsible for developing and delivering training in their specialist area as required

Person Specification
Essential

• MSc / Degree / Diploma in Physiotherapy
• Evidence of master level post qualification study
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Registration with the HCPC as a Physiotherapist
• Practice placement qualification
• Extensive experience as a qualified Physiotherapist, an element of which must have been in a mental health setting
• Extensive experience of working with people with Mental Health problems / Learning Disabilities
• Experience of supervising other staff
• Leadership experience
• Evidence of post-qualification training in a relevant field
• Proven written and general communication skills within a multi-disciplinary setting
• Experience in applying a range of assessment tools and a comprehensive knowledge of Physiotherapy clinical approaches used in Mental health / Learning disabilities
• Experience in using assessments relevant to the field
• Experience of service/ practice innovation
• Experience in Quality Improvement
• Experience in working collaboratively with other agencies
• Expert knowledge of Physiotherapy interventions
• Ability to supervise and develop junior staff
• Lead others in the development of knowledge, ideas and work practices including policies and strategies
• Resolution of professional/ethical issues
• Ability to communicate complex condition related information to service users, carers and colleagues, and resolve any barriers there may be to understanding
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with relevant stakeholders
• Ability to reflect on and critically appraise own performance
• Ability to think strategically and across services
• Ability to implement and suggest changes to polices, as well as developing specific polices for the specialist area
• Ability to assess, develop interventions and monitor needs for a range of highly complex conditions within the specialist area, considering clinical governance issues, and the content of expert advice
• Ability to co-ordinate Physiotherapy activity across the area in collaboration with operational managers
• Ability to identify the needs of the service as a whole and to prioritise accordingly
• Ability to work alone where required and as an active member of a team
• Effective time management and allocation of resources
• Ability to work with a range of codes of practice and professional guidelines and ability to interpret these for the specialist service
• Ability to set up and maintain clinical and professional supervision system for junior staff, including appraisal, allocation of work, as well as the recruitment and appointment of new staff
• Management of delegated budget when appropriate
• Ability to use Trust IT systems including e-mail and electronic clinical records
• Ability to design and deliver complex clinical audit activity and to be active in considering research activity in the clinical area
• Ability to participate in training in de-escalation techniques and breakaway Ability to be able to deal with conflicting demands. Requirement to move patients and equipment during functional assessment and treatment
• Highly developed physical skills with a high level of accuracy essential for delivering safe and effective interventions.
• Demonstrated dexterity, co-ordination, and fine motor control to carry out physiotherapy assessments and treatments across a wide range of patient groups.
• Well-developed sensory and perceptual skills to observe, assess, and respond appropriately to subtle changes in patient presentation and function.
• Ability to apply sustained physical effort, including therapeutic handling, manual techniques, and use of equipment, while maintaining patient safety.
• Ability to concentrate on complex client assessment and intervention and deal with interruptions to workflow
• Ability to be able to deal with conflicting demands
• Ability to deal with distressing or emotional circumstances due to complex nature of work with service users
• Ability to carry out investigations into untoward incidents which may have distressing content
• Frequent exposure to unpleasant working conditions - whilst carrying out functional assessment, or home visits to unsanitary environments
• Demonstrate support for the values and beliefs of the Care Group and those of the Trust
• Flexible approach - willing to work as part of a team and assist colleagues
• Demonstrate an understanding of the practices of Human Rights in the delivery of this role
• Commitment to providing a quality service within a team
• Ability to travel across sites
• Punctual and flexible across hours of work when required

Desirable

• Management / Leadership training
• Experience in a range of clinical settings
• Management experience
• Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (CSP)
• Lived experience of Mental Health issues
• Research experience
• Experience in clinical audit

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: Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Portland House, Richmond Road, Worthing, BN11 1FG, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Director of Allied Health Professions, Gemma Dorer, gemma.dorer@nhs.net

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.
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.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.