Job summary
Lead Children's PhysiotherapistFixed-term contract for 10-month maternity cover.Department: Children's Physiotherapy, TherapiesHours: 29.25 hours/week
All MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated Band 7 Childrens Physiotherapist to join our team for a 10-month period of maternity cover from 1st April 2026.
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 Childrens 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. This involves 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.
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.
This role can not be sponsored.
Interview date: w/c 02.02.2026
Main duties of the job
We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute
"- NHS Survey, 2024'' Allied Health Professionals experience a high diverse and equal work environment, supporting this with 8.33 out of 10.
o To be responsible for managing a highly specialist clinical caseload of Paediatric patients for the Milton Keynes University Hospital (MKUH). Patients will be assessed and treated in a variety of different settings including outpatients, inpatients and/ or community as required by the area of clinical specialty. o To jointly take the physiotherapy lead children with neurological, neuromuscular and developmental conditions.o To jointly take the physiotherapy lead on the acute children's ward. o To work in collaboration with Lead Therapists and the Therapy Service Leads to jointly provide clinical and managerial leadership to the Paediatrics team, employed by MKUH, in the delivery of a high-quality service for its patients.o The post holder will have knowledge of emerging clinical developments, provide advice to inform service development in the speciality in support of the appropriate Therapy Lead.o To demonstrate and role model specialist clinical assessment and treatment skills for an agreed caseload of patients.o To continually review staffing levels/skill mix in accordance with the changing needs of the service and informing the Therapy Lead of any problems that may arise.
About us
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.
Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards - and the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.
Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -
For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes
Job description
Job responsibilities
Leadership and Management 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.
Clinical Practice To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of your own work, ensuring a high standard of clinical care for the patients under your management by supporting more junior staff to do likewise. To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients [Outpatient, Community and Inpatients, as applicable to post] and to organise this effectively and efficiently with regard to clinical priorities and use of time. To oversee the caseloads of more junior staff. To undertake comprehensive specialist assessment, treatment and discharge of patients including those with diverse and complex presentations and multiple pathologies. Use specialist clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice, investigative and analytical skills.
Professional Duties To maintain own competency to practice through CPD activities, demonstrating awareness of new trends and developments and their incorporation into practice as necessary. To actively participate in the in-service training programmes by attending and delivering presentations, tutorials, individual training sessions, peer review, external courses and professional clinical interest groups. To decide priorities for own work area, balancing other patient related and professional demands and ensure that these are discussed in conjunction with the wider therapy teams when managing capacity issues.
Governance To demonstrate a sound understanding of Clinical Governance and Risk Management and their application to work situation. To assess and manage clinical risk within patient caseload in a wide variety of settings, providing guidance to junior staff. To actively participate in relevant forums and a rolling programme of education, clinical evaluation audit and research within area of speciality.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Leadership and Management 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.
Clinical Practice To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of your own work, ensuring a high standard of clinical care for the patients under your management by supporting more junior staff to do likewise. To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients [Outpatient, Community and Inpatients, as applicable to post] and to organise this effectively and efficiently with regard to clinical priorities and use of time. To oversee the caseloads of more junior staff. To undertake comprehensive specialist assessment, treatment and discharge of patients including those with diverse and complex presentations and multiple pathologies. Use specialist clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice, investigative and analytical skills.
Professional Duties To maintain own competency to practice through CPD activities, demonstrating awareness of new trends and developments and their incorporation into practice as necessary. To actively participate in the in-service training programmes by attending and delivering presentations, tutorials, individual training sessions, peer review, external courses and professional clinical interest groups. To decide priorities for own work area, balancing other patient related and professional demands and ensure that these are discussed in conjunction with the wider therapy teams when managing capacity issues.
Governance To demonstrate a sound understanding of Clinical Governance and Risk Management and their application to work situation. To assess and manage clinical risk within patient caseload in a wide variety of settings, providing guidance to junior staff. To actively participate in relevant forums and a rolling programme of education, clinical evaluation audit and research within area of speciality.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
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
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
- Car driver with valid licence to travel across hospital sites and home visits where necessary.
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
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
- Car driver with valid licence to travel across hospital sites and home visits where necessary.
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).
