Community Child Health Paediatric Consultant
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an enthusiastic and forward thinking Consultant in Community Child Health to join our expanding countywide paediatric service. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of community child health across Somerset, working within an innovative, supportive, and inclusive multidisciplinary team.
You will provide high quality care for children with complex neurodevelopmental, medical, and social needs, with opportunities to develop specialist interests including neuro disability, autism, early intervention, and Children Looked After (CLA). Our integrated model brings paediatrics and CAMHS together at both clinical and managerial levels, championing true parity between physical and mental health.
The post is based across Yeovil District Hospital and Musgrove Park Hospital, with clinics delivered in community settings across the county to ensure care close to home. You will join a team committed to service development, peer support, and continuous professional growth, with access to funded CPD, mentoring, and leadership development.
We welcome applicants who are passionate about improving outcomes for children, committed to collaborative working, and eager to contribute to an evolving, high quality community paediatric service.
Main duties of the job
Provide high quality community paediatric care for children with complex medical, neurodevelopmental, and social needs across Somerset.
Lead and contribute to assessments and management of children with autism, ADHD, developmental delay, and long term neuro disability.
Deliver holistic, child centred care in partnership with a multidisciplinary team including psychologists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, and specialist nurses.
Support the assessment and health needs of Children Looked After (CLA) and adopted children, ensuring timely, trauma informed care.
Participate in countywide clinics delivered in community hospitals, schools, and primary care settings to ensure accessible local services.
Work collaboratively within Somerset's integrated paediatrics--CAMHS model, promoting parity between physical and mental health.
Engage in peer review, clinical governance, quality improvement, and service development initiatives.
Supervise and mentor junior doctors, trainees, and allied health professionals, contributing to a strong learning culture.
Maintain effective communication with families, carers, education providers, social care, and partner agencies.
Contribute to leadership development, departmental meetings, and ongoing professional development activities.
Participate in job planning and service transformation work aligned with the Trust's strategic priorities.
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
* Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
* NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
* Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
* A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job responsibilities
For further details regarding this job role and person specification please refer to the attached job description.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Medical Degree (e.g., MBBS or equivalent)
* MRCPCH or an equivalent paediatric postgraduate qualification
* Full GMC registration with a licence to practise
* Entry on the GMC Specialist Register in Paediatrics
* or within 6 months of CCT at the time of interview
* Demonstrated expertise across the full range of community paediatrics, particularly:
* Autism
* Developmental Paediatrics
* Experience managing children with complex neuro disabilities
* Understanding of the needs of Children Looked After (CLA) and adopted children
* Strong communication and teamwork skills
* Commitment to service development, quality improvement, and a strong learning culture
* Ability to supervise and mentor junior doctors and allied health professionals
* Knowledge of clinical governance and commitment to ongoing service improvement
* Subspecialty experience in an acute paediatric unit or Level 1 SCBU
* Recent involvement in quality improvement projects
* Passion for education and teaching
* Driving licence or ability to travel between sites across Somerset
Experience
* Broad experience across the full range of community paediatrics, including autism assessment and developmental paediatrics.
* Experience managing children with complex neurodisabilities, including longterm conditions and multiagency care.
* Understanding of the health needs of Children Looked After (CLA) and adopted children.
* Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team, including education, social care, and CAMHS partners.
* Experience supervising and mentoring junior doctors and allied health professionals.
* Evidence of engagement with clinical governance, service improvement, and maintaining high clinical standards.
* Strong communication skills and ability to work collaboratively across services and settings.
* Subspecialty experience in an acute paediatric unit or Level 1 SCBU.
* Recent involvement in quality improvement projects or service transformation.
* Experience or interest in teaching, training, or medical education.
* Early leadership experience or interest in developing leadership skills.
* Ability to travel between sites (driving licence or equivalent flexibility).
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.
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