Job Summary
Nominal base either Bishop Auckland Hospital or Darlington Memorial Hospital to be discussed with successful candidate. This is an exciting opportunity to work with a team of dynamic and experienced community paediatricians in an active and progressive department at County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust. As well as direct clinical activity, there are opportunities for clinical leadership development, education and training as well as clinical research.
There may also be opportunity pending your interests to explore a mix of Gen Paed acute and Community Paediatrics job plan. The post holder will provide consultant input into the child development and Neurodevelopmental service, Initial Health Assessments for Children in Care.
We would also welcome applications from Associate Specialists pending your clinical experience who wish to progress a career within community paediatrics.
Main responsibilities
* Maintenance of high‑quality patient centred care
* Teaching and training within the multidisciplinary service
* Active involvement in multidisciplinary team meetings and directorate clinical governance activity
* Active participation in continuing medical education
Job Responsibilities
The Post Holder will:
* Work with a dedicated team of community and developmental paediatric consultants to deliver holistic and multi‑disciplinary care to children with developmental disorders and complex health needs in the locality. They will work alongside specialist community nurses, paediatric therapists and child psychologists.
* Liaise with colleagues in Primary Care, Education (including the provision of health advice for the Special Education Needs and Disability assessment process) and Social Services in the delivery of care.
* Support statutory services undertaken by the department which will include Children in Care Initial Health assessments and may include safeguarding assessments of physical injuries and neglect.
* Contribute to service development, departmental clinical governance and annual appraisals towards revalidation with the GMC.
* Participate in postgraduate training within the clinical environment and support paediatric trainees.
* Offer opportunity for the successful applicant to undertake the role of Designated Doctor for Children in Care, accountable to NHS North East & North Cumbria ICB, dependent on meeting the required personal specification for the role.
Person Specification Statutory Registration
* Full registration and licence to practice with General Medical Council or eligible if currently working overseas.
Special Requirements (Essential)
* An exceptional practitioner who is able to demonstrate ambition for themselves, the team and the service.
* Membership of appropriate professional groups.
* Active involvement in Continuing professional development.
* Ability to be flexible, adaptable, thorough and resilient.
* An understanding of equality and diversity within the workforce and how it can impact on this post.
* Ability to share knowledge and difficulties with colleagues.
* Able to travel to meet the requirements of the post.
Qualifications (Essential)
* CCT/CCST or equivalent accreditation and community paediatrics or equivalent training and experience.
* MRCP, MRCPCH or equivalent.
* Full registration and licence to practice with General Medical Council or eligible if currently working overseas.
* On specialist register or within 6 months of CCT at time of scheduled interview.
* Approved training in child protection/safeguarding at Level 3 in line with intercollegic guidelines.
* Level 3 competencies in the intercollegic guidelines – knowledge, skills and competencies for children in care.
* PET level 3 training or SPIN in epilepsy.
Desirable Qualifications
* Sheffield neurodisability diploma or equivalent experience.
Experience (Essential)
* Experience in General Paediatrics.
* Paediatric Neurodevelopment and Epilepsy.
* Relevant higher specialist training, including community paediatric experience or ability to demonstrate competencies equivalent to highest specialist paediatric training.
* Ability to take full and independent responsibility for clinical care of complex patients.
* Teaching experience in a wide variety of settings.
* Audit/QIP: evidence of understanding of audit principles and having taken a lead role.
* Leading a multi-disciplinary team.
Experience (Desirable)
* Evidence of previous experience in undertaking epilepsy clinics.
* Evidence of previous experience in undertaking neurodisability/neurdevelopment clinics (patients with cerebral palsy, complex multisystem neuro genetic or neurometabolic patients).
* Specialist experience/training in particular area of CCH practice.
* Attendance at a recognised teaching course e.g. Teaching the Teachers.
* Publications in peer reviewed journals, presentations at national or international level.
* Enthusiasm for undertaking clinical research in a relevant area.
* Training in research methodology and practical experience of clinical research.
Special Skills & Knowledge (Essential)
* Experience of disability and neurodevelopmental paediatrics.
* Experience in undertaking initial health assessments for children in care or willingness to undertake these assessments with support.
* Effective communicator and team worker.
* Ability to conduct a comprehensive assessment of children with understanding of relevant psychosocial factors and liaise effectively with other professionals to ensure treatment and support.
* Able to assess a child with epilepsy, organise investigations as indicated, manage with anti‑epileptic medication at second tier level and request neurology opinion appropriately.
* Able to demonstrate an understanding of the absolute need for child advocacy in any forum.
* Leadership: able to develop a vision and lead change within a multi‑disciplinary and multi‑agency context.
* Effective time management, able to work under pressure.
* Flexible, adaptable, thorough and resilient.
* Well‑developed reflective and self‑care skills and able to foster these attributes in others.
* Highly developed IT skills.
* Ability to work as part of a multi‑disciplinary / multi‑agency team.
* Knowledge of recognised tools for the assessment of developmental disorders.
* Understand multi‑agency working in the context of the management of children with neuro‑developmental disorders and children in care.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a Disclosure and Barring Service check will be required.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications requiring skilled worker sponsorship will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. Details can be found on the NHS Careers website.
Job Details
* Date posted: 04 November 2025
* Pay scheme: Hospital medical and dental staff
* Grade: Consultant
* Salary: £109,725 to £145,478 per annum (pro rata)
* Contract: Permanent
* Working pattern: Full‑time, Part‑time
* Reference number: C9439-25-0205
Job locations
* Bishop Auckland General Hospital – Cockton Hill Road, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL14 6AD
* Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust – Hollyhurst Road, Darlington, County Durham, DL3 6HX
Employer
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust – Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust, Hollyhurst Road, Darlington, County Durham, DL3 6HX
Website: https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/
Equal Opportunity
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under‑represented.
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