Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust

Physiotherapy Associate Practitioner

The closing date is 21 August 2025

Job summary

Are you looking to take the next step in your physiotherapy career while making a real difference in the lives of children and young people? We are seeking a motivated and compassionate Physiotherapy Associate Practitioner to join our dynamic therapy team at Chailey Heritage Foundation for 31.5 hours per week, Term Time Only.

In this rewarding role, you'll work alongside the Specialist Physiotherapists in providing a clinical programme of therapy for the children and young people with complex physical disabilities, who attend Chailey Heritage Foundation School, Futures and the Chailey out-patient services.

This is a fantastic opportunity to independently manage a caseload, lead group activities, and apply therapeutic techniques such as massage, hydrotherapy, and rebound therapy. You'll contribute to multidisciplinary assessments and have the chance to get involved in service development, audits, and collaborative projects.

If you're a proactive, compassionate practitioner looking to make a meaningful difference, we'd love to hear from you.

"Please note: Due to recent changes in UK immigration and visa rules, this role is unlikely to be eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be considered. Candidates requiring sponsorship should review the eligibility criteria on the gov.uk website before applying to assess their eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role."

Main duties of the job

  • To manage a caseload of patients who have previously been assessed by a physiotherapist and be responsible for the delivery of their therapy programmes.
  • To plan, implement and develop individual programmes, in collaboration with the child's Specialist Physiotherapists, such as motor skills training or using specialist therapy equipment. To deliver specific therapeutic skills such as massage therapy, aquatic physiotherapy in the hydrotherapy pool or rebound therapy.
  • To support clinical lead physiotherapist to oversee monitoring and review of equipment at Chailey Heritage Foundation School used by the physiotherapy team.
  • To support physiotherapy team with students on placement at Chailey Clinical Services such as physiotherapy or medical students and those on work experience. To support physiotherapy team with visitors on observational placements from varying professions.
  • To participate and contribute to training programmes and staff meetings as required.
  • Participate in individual supervision, appraisal and personal development planning with the Clinical Lead Physiotherapist.
  • Maintain and continue to develop high standards of professional skills and performance by regularly updating your Personal Development Plan and Personal Development Profile

About us

  • To be familiar with and conform to the regulations concerning the Data Protection Act; to be aware of the Health and Safety regulations; to conform to the No Smoking Policy and other policies laid down by Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust.
  • To be familiar with all relevant current legislation and the Chailey Charter of Children's Rights.
  • To comply with the standards and priorities laid down by the Clinical Lead Physiotherapist and policies of the Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust

This post may close early if sufficient applications are received.

Details

Date posted

12 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year £27,485 - £30,162 per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Term time hours

Reference number

150-CP1986-PC

Job locations

Chailey Clinical Services

Beggars Wood Road

North Chailey

BN8 4JN


Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Work independently with children and young people with complex neurodisability to carry out physiotherapy tasks such as physiotherapy programmes as designed by a physiotherapist and to make adjustments as necessary within their usual daily routine
  • Work independently with YP to use complex mobility and exercise equipment, which requires previous training and competency. To be able to adjust and review a childs equipment within their competency level
  • To carry out specific therapeutic activities as directed by the physiotherapist but to work independently and be responsible for this activity
  • To write aquatic therapy and movement programmes as required
  • To monitor childrens orthoses or equipment for growth, wear and tear and to know when to report this back to a physiotherapist
  • To teach and train school and care staff how to competently use specific mobility or postural management equipment or orthoses
  • To liaise with parents, school and care staff on a daily basis on behalf of the physiotherapy team to co-ordinate the childs care
  • To oversee the aquatic physiotherapy programmes in the hydrotherapy pool and report back any modifications required to the physiotherapist
  • To be familiar with and conform to the regulations concerning the Data Protection Act; to be aware of the Health and Safety regulations; to conform to the No Smoking Policy and other policies laid down by Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust.
  • To be familiar with all relevant current legislation and the Chailey Charter of Childrens Rights.
  • To comply with the standards and priorities laid down by the Clinical Lead Physiotherapist and policies of the Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust.
  • To plan, implement and develop individual programmes, in collaboration with the childs Specialist Physiotherapists, such as motor skills training or using specialist therapy equipment. To deliver specific therapeutic skills such as massage therapy, aquatic physiotherapy in the hydrotherapy pool or rebound therapy.
  • To support clinical lead physiotherapist to oversee monitoring and review of equipment at Chailey Heritage Foundation School used by the physiotherapy team.
  • To support carers and other professionals in carrying out therapy advice and programmes through coaching, modelling therapeutic skills or demonstrating use of equipment

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Work independently with children and young people with complex neurodisability to carry out physiotherapy tasks such as physiotherapy programmes as designed by a physiotherapist and to make adjustments as necessary within their usual daily routine
  • Work independently with YP to use complex mobility and exercise equipment, which requires previous training and competency. To be able to adjust and review a childs equipment within their competency level
  • To carry out specific therapeutic activities as directed by the physiotherapist but to work independently and be responsible for this activity
  • To write aquatic therapy and movement programmes as required
  • To monitor childrens orthoses or equipment for growth, wear and tear and to know when to report this back to a physiotherapist
  • To teach and train school and care staff how to competently use specific mobility or postural management equipment or orthoses
  • To liaise with parents, school and care staff on a daily basis on behalf of the physiotherapy team to co-ordinate the childs care
  • To oversee the aquatic physiotherapy programmes in the hydrotherapy pool and report back any modifications required to the physiotherapist
  • To be familiar with and conform to the regulations concerning the Data Protection Act; to be aware of the Health and Safety regulations; to conform to the No Smoking Policy and other policies laid down by Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust.
  • To be familiar with all relevant current legislation and the Chailey Charter of Childrens Rights.
  • To comply with the standards and priorities laid down by the Clinical Lead Physiotherapist and policies of the Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust.
  • To plan, implement and develop individual programmes, in collaboration with the childs Specialist Physiotherapists, such as motor skills training or using specialist therapy equipment. To deliver specific therapeutic skills such as massage therapy, aquatic physiotherapy in the hydrotherapy pool or rebound therapy.
  • To support clinical lead physiotherapist to oversee monitoring and review of equipment at Chailey Heritage Foundation School used by the physiotherapy team.
  • To support carers and other professionals in carrying out therapy advice and programmes through coaching, modelling therapeutic skills or demonstrating use of equipment

Person Specification

Level of education

Essential

  • Standard of education - Maths and English

Desirable

  • Standard of education - 5 GCSEs or more

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working as part of a physiotherapy team

Desirable

  • Experience of working with children with complex physical disabilities

Information Technology Skills

Essential

  • Expirence of MS-Word and Windows operating system

Desirable

  • Experience of variety of MS applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Person Specification

Level of education

Essential

  • Standard of education - Maths and English

Desirable

  • Standard of education - 5 GCSEs or more

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working as part of a physiotherapy team

Desirable

  • Experience of working with children with complex physical disabilities

Information Technology Skills

Essential

  • Expirence of MS-Word and Windows operating system

Desirable

  • Experience of variety of MS applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

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).

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

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Chailey Clinical Services

Beggars Wood Road

North Chailey

BN8 4JN


Employer's website

https://www.sussexcommunity.nhs.uk/work-with-us/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Chailey Clinical Services

Beggars Wood Road

North Chailey

BN8 4JN


Employer's website

https://www.sussexcommunity.nhs.uk/work-with-us/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Team Lead for Physiotherapy

Steven Southwell

steven.southwell@nhs.net

01825722112

Details

Date posted

12 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year £27,485 - £30,162 per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Term time hours

Reference number

150-CP1986-PC

Job locations

Chailey Clinical Services

Beggars Wood Road

North Chailey

BN8 4JN


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)