Job summary
Lead Children's Physiotherapist
Department: Children's Physiotherapy, Therapies
Band 7, £47,810 - £54,710 Per annum, pro rata
Hours: Part time, Fixed term 28.25 hour, Maternity Leave Cover.All MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated Band 7 Children's Physiotherapist to join our team for a 12-month period of maternity cover.
The team delivers physiotherapy services to children and young people aged 0-19 years within acute and community settings. This post will involve working in the Children's Physiotherapy department based in Stony Stratford Health Centre and Milton Keynes Hospital. Being able to drive between sites is essential.
The role includes jointly managing the paediatric ward and a neurodisability out-patient caseload involving complex assessment, developing and reviewing programmes, ordering and reviewing equipment, reviewing and writing annual reviews for EHCP plans and liaising with families and the wider multi-disciplinary team. One day a week is covering developmental input to the neonatal unit.
'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'
Please note that we are not able to offer sponsorship for this role.
Interview date: w/c 27 October 2025
Main duties of the job
We are looking to recruit a physiotherapist with experience of working with children and young people with complex needs and wishes to continue to develop the physiotherapy service at Milton Keynes Hospital.The postholder will be involved in the supervision and support of Band 5 & Band 6 physiotherapists, assistant practitioners and students.
We offer a comprehensive induction, ongoing clinical and managerial support from experienced specialist staff, regular in-house training, as well as opportunities for involvement in service development.If you would like to progress your career in a forward-thinking therapy department then we want to hear from you.
We would consider negotiating hours to facilitate recruitment to the post. We would also consider removing the neonatal responsibilities from the role.
About us
NHS Staff Survey: Allied Health Professionals experience a high diverse and equal work environment, supporting this with 8.33 out of 10.
You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital; we conduct research and teaching on site to improve the care of our patients. The hospital is undergoing significant investment, and we are proud to be rated good by the CQC. Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide clinical and managerial leadership to the clinical team in area of clinical speciality by working collaboratively with other Lead Therapists and the Therapy Service Lead.On an adhoc basis you may be required to deputise for the Therapy Service Lead in their absence and to support them in the delivery and development of area of clinical speciality.To contribute to the development of the Therapy Services vision and strategy in conjunction with the wider Trust and other divisional strategies, ensuring that opportunities for development and collaborative working are promoted.To be responsible for the management of staff rotas and leave for staff in the team.To ensure efficient time management of team to meet performance targets.To be responsible for determining safe staffing levels in conjunction with the Therapy Lead within area of clinical speciality.To make recommendations for relevant skill mix of staff to meet service needs.
Please refer to attached Job description for further information.
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity, and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once enough applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust,all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide clinical and managerial leadership to the clinical team in area of clinical speciality by working collaboratively with other Lead Therapists and the Therapy Service Lead.On an adhoc basis you may be required to deputise for the Therapy Service Lead in their absence and to support them in the delivery and development of area of clinical speciality.To contribute to the development of the Therapy Services vision and strategy in conjunction with the wider Trust and other divisional strategies, ensuring that opportunities for development and collaborative working are promoted.To be responsible for the management of staff rotas and leave for staff in the team.To ensure efficient time management of team to meet performance targets.To be responsible for determining safe staffing levels in conjunction with the Therapy Lead within area of clinical speciality.To make recommendations for relevant skill mix of staff to meet service needs.
Please refer to attached Job description for further information.
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity, and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once enough applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust,all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Registration in relevant profession with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
- Evidence of a range of specialist continuing professional development
- Member of relevant specialist interest group (Relevant to area of speciality).
- Student Supervisory Skills training
- Awareness of NHS and Trust systems, policies, procedures and current changes
- Sound therapeutic and clinical knowledge
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge and awareness of national guidelines relevant to specialist area
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge of evidence based clinical practice for a range of conditions relevant to area of speciality.
Desirable
- Membership of relevant professional association i.e. Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)
- Relevant post graduate clinical qualification
- Management or leadership training or qualification
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience in applying Therapeutic process to include assessment, interpretation, individual care planning, motivation, monitoring and evaluation of highly specialised treatment in area of specialty
- Experience of working with patients in relevant specialist area
- Active member of multi-disciplinary team (MDT) including liaison with clinical specialists, GP, specialist nurses, community teams etc
- Supervision, appraisal and training of junior members of staff and students
- Ability to autonomously manage a caseload of highly complex patients
- Proven leadership experience in relevant clinical specialty or similar clinical field
Desirable
- Ability to undertake projects within specialist area e.g using NICE guidance, benchmarking and clinical audit
- Ability to lead and participate in departmental audits and review of Trust Policy
Skills
Essential
- Proven time management skills
- Ability to remain flexible when organising and prioritising own clinical and non-clinical caseload
- High level of written and verbal communication including report writing skills
- Advanced skills in the assessment and treatment of patients in relevant clinical area
- Ability to present and teach information to junior and assistant staff and students as part of an inservice programme.
- Ability to maintain accurate, comprehensive and up to date documentation, in line with legal and Trust standards
- Ability to appropriately apply a range of treatment approaches
- Ability to problem-solve and to demonstrate clinical reasoning based on experience and knowledge
Personal and people development
Essential
- Experience of managing and developing junior and assistant staff
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
Desirable
- Experience of using HR policy and procedure including sickness absence and performance management
- Knowledge of change management principles
Communication
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to influence others
- Competent in the use of IT including proficient in emails
- Ability to deliver sensitive information in a tactful and empathetic manner
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Registration in relevant profession with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
- Evidence of a range of specialist continuing professional development
- Member of relevant specialist interest group (Relevant to area of speciality).
- Student Supervisory Skills training
- Awareness of NHS and Trust systems, policies, procedures and current changes
- Sound therapeutic and clinical knowledge
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge and awareness of national guidelines relevant to specialist area
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge of evidence based clinical practice for a range of conditions relevant to area of speciality.
Desirable
- Membership of relevant professional association i.e. Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)
- Relevant post graduate clinical qualification
- Management or leadership training or qualification
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience in applying Therapeutic process to include assessment, interpretation, individual care planning, motivation, monitoring and evaluation of highly specialised treatment in area of specialty
- Experience of working with patients in relevant specialist area
- Active member of multi-disciplinary team (MDT) including liaison with clinical specialists, GP, specialist nurses, community teams etc
- Supervision, appraisal and training of junior members of staff and students
- Ability to autonomously manage a caseload of highly complex patients
- Proven leadership experience in relevant clinical specialty or similar clinical field
Desirable
- Ability to undertake projects within specialist area e.g using NICE guidance, benchmarking and clinical audit
- Ability to lead and participate in departmental audits and review of Trust Policy
Skills
Essential
- Proven time management skills
- Ability to remain flexible when organising and prioritising own clinical and non-clinical caseload
- High level of written and verbal communication including report writing skills
- Advanced skills in the assessment and treatment of patients in relevant clinical area
- Ability to present and teach information to junior and assistant staff and students as part of an inservice programme.
- Ability to maintain accurate, comprehensive and up to date documentation, in line with legal and Trust standards
- Ability to appropriately apply a range of treatment approaches
- Ability to problem-solve and to demonstrate clinical reasoning based on experience and knowledge
Personal and people development
Essential
- Experience of managing and developing junior and assistant staff
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
Desirable
- Experience of using HR policy and procedure including sickness absence and performance management
- Knowledge of change management principles
Communication
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to influence others
- Competent in the use of IT including proficient in emails
- Ability to deliver sensitive information in a tactful and empathetic manner
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).
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.
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).
