Wirral University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Clinical lead- Highly Specialised Neonatal and Early Development OT

The closing date is 18 February 2026

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced innovative Paediatric OT to join our service to cover a fixed term Maternity leave. This role is for a Highly Specialist Neonatal and Developmental specialist OT and will involve working within the Neonatal Unit and with Early years children with complex needs who are graduating from the neonatal unit.

The post includes working 15 hours within our Neonatal care unit at Wirral University Teaching Hospital alongside our dedicated team of Neonatologists, Paediatric staff nurses, Psychologist, Physio, Dieticians and Speech and Language Therapist. The role will also involve the transition and follow up of complex neonates into the home and community settings and working closely with our highly experienced Early Years team to deliver an excellent follow up service for this cohort of patients. You will work alongside the Clinical lead in Early years providing support, training and supervision to other therapists working within the team.

There will be support available from thew North West Neonatal Network offering advice and feedback to support your professional and personal development.

If this sounds like an opportunity you have been looking for, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Main duties of the job

To work alongside neonatal consultants, neonatal nurses and other AHPs to provide a multidisciplinary approach care to babies within the neonatal unit and within community settings on transition.

To promote infant neurodevelopment on the neonatal unit by empowering parents/caregivers to provide developmentally supportive care, considering adaptations tothe environment to promote an optimal sensory experience for brain development.

To support the parent-infant relationship, helping parents to understand and respond to behavioural cues and signs of stress, helping infants to regulate their body systems andparticipate in co-occupations such as sleeping, feeding, and early interaction.

To provide specialist assessment and early intervention for sensory, motor, attention, regulation and play development to support the infant to reach their development potential.

- To monitor progress and review treatment plans and interventions to facilitate the achievement of goals.

To work autonomously and innovatively to meet the goals of children and families.

To provide education, advice and support to patients, parents/carers and the wider staff team.

To maintain ongoing CPD through training opportunities and liaison with colleagues in the North West Network

About us

All new colleagues can expect to receive a warm and friendly Wirral welcome from the very first time they make contact with us. We are described as "competent and caring staff" by our patients.

Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is situated on The Wirral peninsula which has a stunning coastline and beautiful countryside surroundings, with great activities for its residents.

We are one of the largest and busiest acute Trusts in the North West of England, comprising of the Wirral's only Emergency Department. We provide a high quality range of acute care services and employ over 6,000 staff, who serve a population of approximately 400,000 people across Wirral, Ellesmere Port, Neston, North Wales and the wider North West footprint.

We have approximately 855 beds trust-wide and our financial turnover is in excess of £337m.

The Wirral is easily accessible with excellent transport links including motorway, train, bus or ferry and within easy reach to the major cities of Liverpool, Chester and Manchester as well as neighbouring North Wales.

Date posted

06 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

408-26-021

Job locations

Arrowe Park Hospital

Arrowe Park road

Upton

CH49 5PE

Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information on the role, key responsibilities and duties please see the attached Job description for the Clinical lead Post.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information on the role, key responsibilities and duties please see the attached Job description for the Clinical lead Post.

Person Specification

Qualifications, Specific Experience & Training

Essential

Graduate Diploma or BSc Physiotherapy or equivalent qualification recognised by HCPC in Occupational Therapy, Dietetics or Speech & Language
HPCP Registration
At least 4 years post grad experience (including Experience as band 5 AHP to consolidate basic post-graduate skills & to develop more specialist skills followed by appropriate experience in a relevant area of work at band 6 (or equivalent) level

Desirable

Member of Charted Society of Physiotherapy, British Dietetic Association, Royal College of Occupational Therapy, Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists or similar
Evidence of significant and relevant post registration training and relevant evidence in CPD portfolio in order to prove development of specialist clinical skills and development of highly developed specialist knowledge. Profession specific training in specialist area, recognised as equating to masters level, e.g MACP, Sensory Integration training, Bobath, PENG clinical update etc

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

Basic computer skills

Person Specification

Qualifications, Specific Experience & Training

Essential

Graduate Diploma or BSc Physiotherapy or equivalent qualification recognised by HCPC in Occupational Therapy, Dietetics or Speech & Language
HPCP Registration
At least 4 years post grad experience (including Experience as band 5 AHP to consolidate basic post-graduate skills & to develop more specialist skills followed by appropriate experience in a relevant area of work at band 6 (or equivalent) level

Desirable

Member of Charted Society of Physiotherapy, British Dietetic Association, Royal College of Occupational Therapy, Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists or similar
Evidence of significant and relevant post registration training and relevant evidence in CPD portfolio in order to prove development of specialist clinical skills and development of highly developed specialist knowledge. Profession specific training in specialist area, recognised as equating to masters level, e.g MACP, Sensory Integration training, Bobath, PENG clinical update etc

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

Basic computer 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.

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

Certificate of Sponsorship

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

Wirral University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Arrowe Park Hospital

Arrowe Park road

Upton

CH49 5PE

Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Wirral University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Arrowe Park Hospital

Arrowe Park road

Upton

CH49 5PE

Employer's website

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