Specialist Physiotherapist Paediatrics

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Closing date: 31 March 2026

Location: Palmer Community Hospital, Jarrow (Post 1) and Children’s Centre, Sunderland (Post 2). Both posts may require coverage of both sites.

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• Post 1: Community/outpatients and special schools (main base Palmer Community Hospital, Jarrow).
  
• Post 2: Community/outpatients and the regional CFS service (between Palmer Community Hospital, Jarrow and Children’s Centre, Sunderland).
  

You will work as a Specialist Physiotherapist Band 6 across a range of settings, including special schools, mainstream schools, nurseries, community settings, and main hospital sites.

You will work with, and support, experienced therapists and staff from other agencies, and will be expected to work with children of all ages and special needs.

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• Provide Trust‑wide physiotherapy assessment, diagnosis, treatment and advice to a varied caseload, including musculoskeletal and complex neurological conditions.
  
• Collaborate with and guide junior physiotherapy staff.
  
• Support MDT, orthotic, and internal departmental clinics.
  
• Demonstrate competent computer skills and strong communication, organisational and safeguarding awareness.
  
• Meet travel requirements between sites and within the community.
  

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• Specialist assessment, diagnosis and care planning for highly complex needs.
  
• Effective communication of complex and sensitive information to clients, carers, and the multidisciplinary team.
  
• Strong interpersonal, listening, observational, empathy, analytical, judgement, reflective, organisational, planning, presentation, influence, motivation, facilitation, time‑management, prioritisation, leadership and teamwork skills.
  
• Advanced information processing and synthesis for complex decision‑making.
  
• Ability to introduce innovative practice impacting policy or service beyond own area.
  

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• Experience in paediatric physiotherapy across various specialisms.
  
• Familiarity with standardised assessments and therapy approaches for paediatric populations.
  
• Experience supervising all levels of physiotherapy staff, assistants and students.
  
• Experience designing and delivering training/education programmes.
  
• Some experience of policy and practice development in specialist area.
  

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• Physiotherapy Degree or equivalent.
  
• Extensive CPD and up‑to‑date paediatric knowledge.
  
• Registration with the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC).
  
• Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists.
  
• Knowledge of specialist assessment tools and therapeutic interventions.
  
• Understanding of NHS structure and clinical governance.
  
• Knowledge of local and national policies and procedures relevant to health, social services and education.
  
• Management and leadership training experience.
  

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• Ability to motivate staff and sustain developments.
  
• Capacity to sustain prolonged positions and physical demands of the role.
  
• Capabilities in moving and handling requirements.
  
• Ability to maintain intense concentration consistently.
  
• Requirement for speed and accuracy with keyboard skills.
  
• Ability to meet travel demands between sites and the community.
  

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires an DBS check.

We welcome all applications irrespective of race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and from under‑represented groups.

£38,682 to £46,580 a year (2026/27 pay award pending)