Highly Specialist Paediatric Physiotherapist

Job Overview

Are you a Paediatric Physiotherapist who loves working in special schools with children with complex needs, and looking for part-time, term time work – if so, then this is the ideal post for you!

We are looking for an experienced Physiotherapist to join our team. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing care into a special school for children with Complex needs and Learning Difficulties in Ealing, working with children aged 2-11 years old. They will work as part of a Multi-Disciplinary/Multi agency Team, which includes Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language therapists, teaching staff, Learning Support Assistants, Educational Social Workers, and Special School Nurses.

Main duties of the job

The post will involve assessment and treatment of children referred to physiotherapy attending the school; training and support of school staff in the management of the children’s’ physiotherapy needs; as well as the families at home. We offer multidisciplinary assessment and reviews, joint OT/physio clinics, CPIPs assessments and shared care clinics with neuro-orthopaedics, and an orthotics service.

Multi-disciplinary/agency working is a vital component of this position - we have strong working relationships with our colleagues in Health, Education and Social Care, and ensuring proactive, collaborative and co-productive strategic and partnership working between NHS and school is essential in this role in the best interest of children and families. We also have close links with some of the tertiary centres in the London area, and work jointly with Chelsea and Westminster for our Neuro-Orthopaedic pathway.

Working for our organisation

Professional development and training will be supported within our department by other experienced paediatric physiotherapists. You will be part of an in-service training program and will also be supported to access external training available in line with your personal development plan.

The successful candidate will be a highly motivated team player with significant experience in community paediatric physiotherapy. They will have excellent communication skills and an interest in developing services to best meet the physiotherapy needs of children referred to the service. You will be joining a friendly and supportive team that is passionate about delivering a high-quality service for our children and families.

We are based in the London borough of Ealing, which is a vibrant and diverse Borough that has good transport links to the centre of London by tube, bus and road.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

The post holder will be responsible for the provision of a high standard of physiotherapy intervention, and on-going development of the service, for children from Nursery to Year 6 with complex needs attending Mandeville Primary Special School.

The post holder will be responsible for providing evidence based practice to meet the needs of the children and assist in the delivery of an equitable service. They will work collaboratively as part of a Multi-disciplinary/Multi-agency team with children, parents/carers, and with colleagues in Education, Health and Social Care in planning service delivery to this client group. They will be a key contact for Paediatric Physiotherapy and will represent the department at relevant meetings both within and outside the Trust. They will contribute to departmental meetings and lead clinical audit and research projects within this specialist area. They will be responsible for planning and delivering highly specialist training to other physiotherapists, professionals and parents/carers on all aspects relating to physiotherapy.

The post will have a particular emphasis on:

• Training and support of staff at Mandeville School in the management of the physiotherapy needs of the children.
• Demonstrating the impact that the provision has on meeting the children’s and staffs needs within the school
• Strategic and partnership working to ensure proactive, collaborative and co-productive working relations between NHS and school in the best interest of children and families, and to meet statutory EHCP timelines.
  
  

See full job description & person specification for further detail.

Person specification

Education And Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Diploma Physiotherapy or BSc Physiotherapy
• State Registration as a Physiotherapist (HCPC)
• Registration with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)
• Evidence of Post Graduate Training in Paediatric Physiotherapy
  
  

Desirable criteria

• APCP Membership
• Membership of relevant Special Interest Groups
• Advanced training up to masters level or equivalent in Paediatric conditions.
  
  

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria

• Significant, proven, specialist experience of working with children/young people with complex neuromuscular and neurodevelopmental conditions
• Knowledge and experience of appropriate assessment tools and therapeutic interventions for children and young people with neurological conditions and physical disabilities, including hydrotherapy
• Experience of working with children in a community setting, including in special schools with children/young people that have Education, Health & Care Plans
• Previous experience of working in the UK Health Service or similar health economy
• Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team and with other agencies such as Social Services and Education
• An understanding of the practical application of Clinical Governance, and evidence of initiating and participating in service development, audit and research activities
• Experience of supervising junior staff/assistants/students
• Evidence of delivery of in-service and multi-agency training
• Evidence of continued professional development
  
  

Desirable criteria

• Evidence of basic rotations in areas such as respiratory, neurology, orthopaedics, etc.
• Knowledge of relevant National Policies and Procedures e.g. SEND green paper
• Awareness of the NHS long term plan and the implications for community service
  
  

Skills, Abilities And Attributes

Essential criteria

• Understand the importance of, and be able to work effectively as, part of a team
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including managing difficult situations
• Ability to work in an unpredictable environment, prioritise own caseload & practice effective time management in the face of conflicting demands, and support junior staff to do the same
• Excellent verbal and written English
• Competent intermediate IT skills and experience with computerised patient records