Operational and Clinical Team Lead Paediatric Physiotherapy
Band 8a Operational & Clinical Lead Paediatric Physiotherapy Permanent, 1.0 WTE, 37.5 hrs
Closing date is 20 May 2026
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dynamic and innovative Operational & Clinical Team Lead within the South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust Paediatric Physiotherapy team. The post holder will be responsible for the management of all aspects of the Paediatric physiotherapy teams across STSFT. The main bases are Sunderland Children's Centre and Palmer Community Hospital.
The post holder will work alongside members of both multidisciplinary and multi‑agency teams delivering physiotherapy services to children on Sunderland, North Durham and South Tyneside.
The post holder will have responsibility for ensuring the day‑to‑day operations of the department in respect of leadership, professional development, safeguarding, SEND services, health and safety, service improvement, capacity and demand, waiting list management, HR and wellbeing, training and recruitment.
An opportunity to enhance and develop leadership skills whilst gaining insight and experience at an advanced level.
Expectation of attendance and participation in multidisciplinary and multi‑agency meetings, and working collaboratively with our commissioners.
Main duties of the job
You will be integral in developing the service and providing support into the Physiotherapy department across all community settings including special schools. You will have excellent leadership, MDT, and collaborative working skills, committed to improving outcomes for children across agencies, keeping children central to all aspects of clinical care.
You will be responsible for a wide and varied caseload, with knowledge and experience within paediatrics, a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions, complex presentations, neuro‑developmental and MSK conditions. You will be experienced with Education, Health and Care Plans (Children and Families Act 2014) and working within a safeguarding framework, CPIPs, and other MDT such as paediatricians and orthotists.
Lead a team of 20 Paediatric Physiotherapy staff. The Paeds PT team is part of a Childrens Integrated Therapies Team within the Therapies Directorate, supported by the Head of Service.
* Responsible for the operational management of a Trust‑wide Paediatric Physiotherapy service in collaboration with the Head of Service (HoS).
* Provide highly visible line management and leadership to a team across sites.
* Be accessible and approachable to all staff, patients and carers, ensuring care is delivered effectively and efficiently to the highest standard.
* Act as a role model, upholding and ensuring Trust values are implemented and monitored.
* Contribute to identifying and managing issues of poor performance, risk and complaints.
* Support the development and delivery of a high standard clinical service that places patients and their carers at the centre.
* Implement robust systems and processes to provide the highest quality of service delivery.
* Support the HoS and Directorate Manager in continuous improvement, cost improvement and efficiencies.
* Support the HoS and DM in delivery of contractual performance and key national and local performance indicators.
* Lead clinical audit and research within the service.
* Be responsible for student placements and provide specialist training to Physiotherapy professionals.
* Lead and implement planning, development and evaluation of Paediatric Physiotherapy services, ensuring all services are staffed appropriately.
* Deputise for the HoS in managing the Paediatric Physiotherapy service across sites.
* Line manage the Paediatric Physiotherapy Team providing supervision, formal appraisal, human resource functions and service developments.
* Provide professional, clinical and team leadership for all staff within the Paediatric Physiotherapy service.
* Provide specialty‑specific advice on service planning; be fully aware of service‑specific issues, gaps, pressures, staffing and opportunities.
* Assist in raising the profile of the Paediatric Physiotherapy service.
* Develop the clinical education of specialist staff and lead appropriate education and training development needs.
* Work toward improving quality services including implementing evidence‑based practice.
* Maintain professional development through participation in relevant professional training programmes.
* Be an authorised signatory for the Paediatric Physiotherapy service; support the Manager in effective budgetary management.
Qualifications
* BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy or equivalent diploma
* HPCP Registered
* Evidence of successful completion of specialist postgraduate courses
* Postgraduate courses at master’s level including relevant clinical area, management and leadership practice, service improvement or other relevant training/equivalent experience appropriate to the post
* Postgraduate Management or leadership qualification completed within 1 year
* Postgraduate certificate, diploma or master’s level qualification in Leadership
Other Requirements
* Must be able to meet the travel requirements of the post.
* Ability to represent the Trust with positive enthusiasm.
* Commitment, motivation and adaptability.
* Car Driver
Skills and Knowledge
* Knowledge of recent NHS and Social Care developments and their impact on service delivery.
* Knowledge of protocols, legislation e.g. SEND process and procedures.
* Knowledge of systems for governance and risk management.
* Highly specialist knowledge of professional practice and research.
* Expert clinical reasoning skills.
* Ability to articulate vision of the Paediatric Physiotherapy service in line with transformation and integration.
* Ability to work outside traditional professional boundaries.
* Ability to deliver on service evaluation including service development and audit.
* Good project management skills and the ability to see through tasks to their successful conclusion within timescales and budgets.
* Excellent and proven leadership skills in Physiotherapy.
* Excellent and proven knowledge of HR processes.
* Knowledge and application of professional standards and code of conduct.
* Knowledge of the strategic direction of the local health commissioner and providers.
* Advanced IT skills.
Experience
* Comprehensive experience at Team Leader level.
* Proven leadership experience.
* Experience in staff development, coaching and supportive enabling approaches.
* Proven success in managing organisational change while maintaining service quality.
* Experience of developing and maintaining effective partnerships with various stakeholders.
* Experience of working within SEND processes.
* Experience of using clinical governance framework to monitor and improve quality of patient care, participation in research audit/service evaluation and quality improvement projects.
* Evidence of working within multidisciplinary cross‑agency teams.
* RCA trained investigator.
* Experience of budget management and budget reporting.
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.
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
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