South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Physiotherapist

The closing date is 17 February 2026

Job summary

We are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity for a Band 6 Physiotherapist to join our Community Autism and Learning Disability Service (CALDS). This post is offered as a 12month fixed term contract or secondment, representing an excellent opportunity for a physiotherapist who wants to broaden their specialist skills, gain meaningful community experience, and work within an innovative and expanding service. CALDS is at the forefront of developing highquality, personalised support for people with Learning Disabilities and Autism, and you will have the chance to contribute to exciting service improvements, pathway development and new models of care. This is a rewarding role for a physiotherapist who is passionate about improving outcomes, reducing health inequalities, and making a meaningful difference to adults with Learning Disabilities and/or Autism. You will be part of a warm, supportive and values driven multidisciplinary team that includes Nursing, Psychology, Psychiatry, Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language Therapy. If you are enthusiastic, motivated and committed to providing high quality care, we would love to hear from you.

You will work alongside experienced, supportive clinicians who value collaboration, compassion and continuous improvement. For physiotherapists considering progression into specialist practice, community work or future Band 7 posts, this role provides ideal exposure, mentoring and clinical variety.

Main duties of the job

You will provide expert assessment, intervention and review for adults with Learning Disabilities and/or Autism who present with complex physical health, mobility, sensory and/or postural needs. Your work will include delivering physiotherapy programmes that promote movement, independence, participation and comfort, while also supporting health, mobility and safe physical activity. You will enable use of suitable equipment and work closely with the multidisciplinary team to contribute to holistic formulation and care planning and will collaborate with families, carers, support providers and partner agencies to embed physiotherapy recommendations in daytoday care. You will manage your own caseload, prioritising effectively while receiving regular supervision and MDT support. The role also involves providing training and advice to carers and colleagues, contributing to service development and supervising junior staff or support workers where appropriate. Strong communication, organisational skills and a commitment to personcentred, traumainformed and rightsbased practice are essential.

This post offers variety, autonomy and the chance to work creatively. You will work across multiple community settings, ensuring that people receive physiotherapy in the place that best supports their independence, wellbeing and quality of life.

This post is subject to enhanced DBS disclosure.

You will be a car driver and have access to a vehicle to meet the requirements of this post.

About us

Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.

Details

Date posted

03 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9155-CMAHP-0126-38

Job locations

Monkton Hall Hospital

Monkton Lane

Monkton Village

Jarrow

Tyne And Wear

NE32 5NN


Job description

Job responsibilities

Plan, co-ordinate, deliver and evaluate the physiotherapy service provided for adult clients with autism and/or learning disability who have a range of complex needs. The service to be delivered into a variety of settings which include day services establishments, residential settings and the persons own home; assessing, diagnosing, prioritising, treating and discharging patients autonomously.

To work as a member of the Community Autism and Learning Disabilities Service (CALDS) , contributing to multi-disciplinary working as necessary, to address the needs of adult clients referred to the team and manage a delegated caseload

To work collaboratively with other specialist services within Autism and Learning Disabilities to meet the Physiotherapy needs of adult clients.

Be regularly involved in supporting and consulting on complex transitions e.g. to new home environments; leaving school; admission and discharge from inpatient services

To participate in Service Developments and Audit as directed by the Appropriate Lead.

To actively participate in a programme of supervision, competency development and CPD activities.

FOR FULL JOB DESCRIPTION SEE ATTACHMENT

Job description

Job responsibilities

Plan, co-ordinate, deliver and evaluate the physiotherapy service provided for adult clients with autism and/or learning disability who have a range of complex needs. The service to be delivered into a variety of settings which include day services establishments, residential settings and the persons own home; assessing, diagnosing, prioritising, treating and discharging patients autonomously.

To work as a member of the Community Autism and Learning Disabilities Service (CALDS) , contributing to multi-disciplinary working as necessary, to address the needs of adult clients referred to the team and manage a delegated caseload

To work collaboratively with other specialist services within Autism and Learning Disabilities to meet the Physiotherapy needs of adult clients.

Be regularly involved in supporting and consulting on complex transitions e.g. to new home environments; leaving school; admission and discharge from inpatient services

To participate in Service Developments and Audit as directed by the Appropriate Lead.

To actively participate in a programme of supervision, competency development and CPD activities.

FOR FULL JOB DESCRIPTION SEE ATTACHMENT

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working in a community setting
  • Experience of Multi Disciplinary Working

Desirable

  • Experience working with Adults with Learning Disabilities and Autistic people
  • Experience of group work with those who have a learning disability
  • Experience of supervising and appraising junior staff and students

Skills/ Attributes/ Knowledge

Essential

  • Sound knowledge of Physiotherapy practice including some knowledge of:
  • -Management of chronic conditions
  • -Management of spasticity
  • -Postural management
  • -Gait analysis
  • -Specialist seating and wheelchair provision
  • -Orthotic provision
  • Knowledge of current best practice in Physiotherapy
  • Well developed communication skills both written and oral
  • Understanding of team dynamics
  • Understanding of professional ethics and the application in practice
  • Sound knowledge of the principles of Clinical Governance
  • Excellent personal organisational skills
  • Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance
  • Health, Safety and Risk awareness

Desirable

  • Member of clinical interest groups
  • Networking skills to maintain awareness of best practice and developments across clinical area, regionally and nationally
  • Advanced IT skills

Physical Requirements

Essential

  • Car Driver
  • Ability to meet the travel requirements of the post
  • Moving and Handling abilities

Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree in Physiotherapy
  • CSP Registration
  • HCPC Registered

Desirable

  • Post graduate training in spasticity management, postural management, orthotic provision and advanced moving and handling
  • Clinical supervisors qualification for student placements
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working in a community setting
  • Experience of Multi Disciplinary Working

Desirable

  • Experience working with Adults with Learning Disabilities and Autistic people
  • Experience of group work with those who have a learning disability
  • Experience of supervising and appraising junior staff and students

Skills/ Attributes/ Knowledge

Essential

  • Sound knowledge of Physiotherapy practice including some knowledge of:
  • -Management of chronic conditions
  • -Management of spasticity
  • -Postural management
  • -Gait analysis
  • -Specialist seating and wheelchair provision
  • -Orthotic provision
  • Knowledge of current best practice in Physiotherapy
  • Well developed communication skills both written and oral
  • Understanding of team dynamics
  • Understanding of professional ethics and the application in practice
  • Sound knowledge of the principles of Clinical Governance
  • Excellent personal organisational skills
  • Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance
  • Health, Safety and Risk awareness

Desirable

  • Member of clinical interest groups
  • Networking skills to maintain awareness of best practice and developments across clinical area, regionally and nationally
  • Advanced IT skills

Physical Requirements

Essential

  • Car Driver
  • Ability to meet the travel requirements of the post
  • Moving and Handling abilities

Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree in Physiotherapy
  • CSP Registration
  • HCPC Registered

Desirable

  • Post graduate training in spasticity management, postural management, orthotic provision and advanced moving and handling
  • Clinical supervisors qualification for student placements

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).

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.

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

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Monkton Hall Hospital

Monkton Lane

Monkton Village

Jarrow

Tyne And Wear

NE32 5NN


Employer's website

https://www.stsft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Monkton Hall Hospital

Monkton Lane

Monkton Village

Jarrow

Tyne And Wear

NE32 5NN


Employer's website

https://www.stsft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Clinical Lead

Emma Willis

emma.willis30@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

03 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9155-CMAHP-0126-38

Job locations

Monkton Hall Hospital

Monkton Lane

Monkton Village

Jarrow

Tyne And Wear

NE32 5NN


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)