Job summary
Are you passionate about shaping the future of Occupational therapy & Physiotherapy services and supporting colleagues to deliver the very best patient care?At Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, a recognised leader in healthcare innovation, we are looking for a dynamic and forward-thinking Clinical Development Lead to join our team.
This exciting role offers the opportunity to make a real impact on both staff and patient experience. You will be central to building a workforce that is well-led, skilled, and inspired--fostering a culture where people feel supported, valued, and empowered to provide safe, effective, and compassionate care.
Working clinically with patients and in collaboration with Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, and wider stakeholders, you will drive our workforce strategy across recruitment, retention, education, and innovation. By role modelling the behaviours and culture we aspire to, you will help create an environment where staff thrive and patients experience the very best outcomes.
We are seeking an enthusiastic and positive leader with excellent communication and negotiation skills, someone who can champion change and bring people along on the journey.
If you are motivated to influence the future of therapy services and want to be part of a Trust that leads with innovation and compassion, we would love to hear from you.
Join us, and help shape a workforce that delivers outstanding care today and for the future.
Main duties of the job
The Clinical Development Lead will play a pivotal role in ensuring safe, effective, and therapeutic patient care by advancing clinical practice within physiotherapy and occupational therapy services. Working under the guidance of the professional heads of service, the postholder will lead on initiatives relating to education and innovation to strengthen and grow our workforce.
A key focus of the role is the development of a well-led, skilled, and motivated workforce. The postholder will foster a positive and supportive working environment where staff feel valued, engaged, and empowered to deliver the highest standards of care.
The role will involve direct clinical practice with patients, as well as collaborative working with Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, and wider internal and external stakeholders, including the People Directorate and Quality Improvement teams. In doing so, the postholder will play a central part in delivering the Trust's Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Workforce Strategy.
To succeed in this role, the postholder will need to demonstrate:
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Excellent communication and negotiation skills,
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Strong leadership qualities,
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A proactive and enthusiastic approach,
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A commitment to education and development,
This is a highly influential role requiring both clinical expertise and leadership capability, with the opportunity to shape the future of therapy services and make a lasting difference for both staff and patients.
About us
Why Work With Us
The postholder will be joining over 220 Physiotherapists and over 100 Occupational therapists across inpatient, outpatient, specialist and extended scope clinics, four community hospitals, outpatient teams, and community teams. The postholder will be working closely with the Professional Practise leads and local team leads to support clinical practice through recruitment, retention, education, and innovation across both physiotherapy and occupational therapy services.
AtTorbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, we are proud to invest in our staff and provide a supportive working environment. In joining us, you will benefit from:
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Professional development - access to ongoing training, education, and leadership development opportunities to support your career progression.
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Innovation and improvement culture - the opportunity to work in a Trust recognised nationally for its forward-thinking and integrated approach to care.
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Supportive networks - strong links with therapy, nursing, medical, and wider multidisciplinary teams, alongside leadership and mentoring opportunities.
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Work-life balance - flexible working options, staff wellbeing initiatives, and the chance to live and work in the beautiful surroundings of Torbay and South Devon.
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NHS benefits - including a generous pension scheme, annual leave entitlement, and access to a range of staff discounts and health and wellbeing services.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The role will focus on developing and implementing our Physiotherapy and Occupational therapy workforce strategy working closely with our patients, wider leadership teams and clinical teams through:
Supporting direct clinical delivery to patient care in post holders registered profession contributing to team rosters.
Work alongside learners in practice to support their ongoing clinical development.
Providing direct clinical supervision to new Band 5 staff in post holders registered profession
Work alongside team leads to ensure all newly appointed staff are integrated smoothly into roles
Creating and Standardising competency frameworks.
Education & Development (across the 4 pillars of practice) directly supporting clinical delivery with staff
Wellbeing, Retention and Culture
Recruitment & innovative models of working
Digital innovation and efficiency
Career Pathways and Development
Supporting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Professional practice and consistency.
You will be managing direct clinical delivery alongside a portfolio of projects running concurrently and will need excellent organisational and prioritisation skills to drive effective change.The post holder will need to be highly motivated and able to work well under their own initiative. Being methodical is a fundamental skill for this post, as well as being able to work to strict deadlines.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The role will focus on developing and implementing our Physiotherapy and Occupational therapy workforce strategy working closely with our patients, wider leadership teams and clinical teams through:
Supporting direct clinical delivery to patient care in post holders registered profession contributing to team rosters.
Work alongside learners in practice to support their ongoing clinical development.
Providing direct clinical supervision to new Band 5 staff in post holders registered profession
Work alongside team leads to ensure all newly appointed staff are integrated smoothly into roles
Creating and Standardising competency frameworks.
Education & Development (across the 4 pillars of practice) directly supporting clinical delivery with staff
Wellbeing, Retention and Culture
Recruitment & innovative models of working
Digital innovation and efficiency
Career Pathways and Development
Supporting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Professional practice and consistency.
You will be managing direct clinical delivery alongside a portfolio of projects running concurrently and will need excellent organisational and prioritisation skills to drive effective change.The post holder will need to be highly motivated and able to work well under their own initiative. Being methodical is a fundamental skill for this post, as well as being able to work to strict deadlines.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- HCPC Registered Physiotherapists or Occupational therapist
- Coaching or mentoring qualification
Desirable
- Masters degree or equivalent in relevant clinical field
- Leadership qualification
- PG CERT in Education
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Significant recent Post registration clinical experience - band 6 or above
- Recent experience of working in the NHS
- Experience of delivering coaching or mentoring
- Line management experience
Desirable
- Leadership experience in the NHS
- Experience of delivering education programmes
- Experience of delivery change programmes
Specific skills
Essential
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent organisational skills
- Experience of delivering complex programmes or activities
Desirable
- Experience of working with a variety of digital platforms
- Excellent organisation skills
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- HCPC Registered Physiotherapists or Occupational therapist
- Coaching or mentoring qualification
Desirable
- Masters degree or equivalent in relevant clinical field
- Leadership qualification
- PG CERT in Education
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Significant recent Post registration clinical experience - band 6 or above
- Recent experience of working in the NHS
- Experience of delivering coaching or mentoring
- Line management experience
Desirable
- Leadership experience in the NHS
- Experience of delivering education programmes
- Experience of delivery change programmes
Specific skills
Essential
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent organisational skills
- Experience of delivering complex programmes or activities
Desirable
- Experience of working with a variety of digital platforms
- Excellent organisation skills
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.
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).
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.
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).
