Clinical Development Lead for Occupational therapy and Physiotherapy

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust; Torquay; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK healthcare provider is seeking a Clinical Development Lead for Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy. This pivotal role will advance educational initiatives and workforce development, driving excellence in patient care. The successful candidate will have a strong clinical background, leadership skills, and a passion for improving therapy services. Flexibility in working options and commitment to staff wellbeing are key components of this position.

Benefits

Access to ongoing training and education

Flexible working options

Generous pension scheme

Annual leave entitlement

Staff discounts and health services

Qualifications

• Significant recent post-registration clinical experience - band 6 or above.
• Recent experience of working in the NHS.
• Experience of delivering coaching or mentoring.
• Leadership experience in the NHS.
• Experience of delivering education programmes.
• Experience of delivering change programmes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy workforce strategy.
• Support direct clinical delivery to patient care.
• Provide direct clinical supervision to new Band 5 staff.
• Create and standardise competency frameworks.
• Support Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

Skills

Excellent communication and negotiation skills

Strong leadership qualities

Proactive and enthusiastic approach

Commitment to education and development

Education

HCPC Registered Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist

Coaching or mentoring qualification

Masters degree or equivalent in relevant clinical field

PG CERT in Education

Job description

Clinical Development Lead for Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a dynamic and forward-thinking Clinical Development Lead to join our team. The closing date is 24 October 2025.

Are you passionate about shaping the future of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy services and supporting colleagues to deliver the very best patient care? At Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, a recognised leader in healthcare innovation, we are looking for a clinical leader to advance education, innovation, and workforce development within our therapy services.

This role offers the opportunity to make a real impact on both staff and patient experience. You will be central to building a workforce that is well-led, skilled, and inspired—fostering a culture where people feel supported, valued, and empowered to provide safe, effective, and compassionate care.

Working clinically with patients and in collaboration with Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, and wider stakeholders, you will drive our workforce strategy across recruitment, retention, education, and innovation. By role modelling the behaviours and culture we aspire to, you will help create an environment where staff thrive and patients experience the very best outcomes.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and positive leader with excellent communication and negotiation skills, someone who can champion change and bring people along on the journey.

If you are motivated to influence the future of therapy services and want to be part of a Trust that leads with innovation and compassion, we would love to hear from you.

Join us, and help shape a workforce that delivers outstanding care today and for the future.

Main duties of the job

The Clinical Development Lead will play a pivotal role in ensuring safe, effective, and therapeutic patient care by advancing clinical practice within physiotherapy and occupational therapy services. Working under the guidance of the professional heads of service, the postholder will lead on initiatives relating to education and innovation to strengthen and grow our workforce.

A key focus of the role is the development of a well-led, skilled, and motivated workforce. The postholder will foster a positive and supportive working environment where staff feel valued, engaged, and empowered to deliver the highest standards of care.

The role will involve direct clinical practice with patients, as well as collaborative working with Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, and wider internal and external stakeholders, including the People Directorate and Quality Improvement teams. In doing so, the postholder will play a central part in delivering the Trust's Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Workforce Strategy.

To succeed in this role, the postholder will need to demonstrate:

• Excellent communication and negotiation skills
• Strong leadership qualities
• A proactive and enthusiastic approach
• A commitment to education and development

This is a highly influential role requiring both clinical expertise and leadership capability, with the opportunity to shape the future of therapy services and make a lasting difference for both staff and patients.

About us

The postholder will be joining over 220 Physiotherapists and over 100 Occupational Therapists across inpatient, outpatient, specialist and extended scope clinics, four community hospitals, outpatient teams, and community teams. The postholder will be working closely with the Professional Practice leads and local team leads to support clinical practice through recruitment, retention, education, and innovation across both physiotherapy and occupational therapy services.

At Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, we are proud to invest in our staff and provide a supportive working environment. In joining us, you will benefit from:

• Professional development - access to ongoing training, education, and leadership development opportunities to support your career progression.
• Innovation and improvement culture - the opportunity to work in a Trust recognised nationally for its forward-thinking and integrated approach to care.
• Supportive networks - strong links with therapy, nursing, medical, and wider multidisciplinary teams, alongside leadership and mentoring opportunities.
• Work-life balance - flexible working options, staff wellbeing initiatives, and the chance to live and work in the beautiful surroundings of Torbay and South Devon.
• NHS benefits - including a generous pension scheme, annual leave entitlement, and access to a range of staff discounts and health and wellbeing services.

Job responsibilities

The role will focus on developing and implementing our Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy workforce strategy, working closely with patients, wider leadership teams and clinical teams through:

• Supporting direct clinical delivery to patient care in post holders registered profession contributing to team rosters.
• Work alongside learners in practice to support their ongoing clinical development.
• Providing direct clinical supervision to new Band 5 staff in post holders registered profession.
• Work alongside team leads to ensure all newly appointed staff are integrated smoothly into roles.
• Creating and standardising competency frameworks.
• Education & Development (across the 4 pillars of practice) directly supporting clinical delivery with staff.
• Wellbeing, Retention and Culture
• Recruitment & innovative models of working
• Digital innovation and efficiency
• Career Pathways and Development
• Supporting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
• Professional practice and consistency

You will be managing direct clinical delivery alongside a portfolio of projects running concurrently and will need excellent organisational and prioritisation skills to drive effective change. The post holder will need to be highly motivated and able to work well under their own initiative. Being methodical is a fundamental skill for this post, as well as being able to work to strict deadlines.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• HCPC Registered Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist
• Coaching or mentoring qualification
• Masters degree or equivalent in relevant clinical field
• PG CERT in Education

Knowledge and Experience

• Significant recent post-registration clinical experience - band 6 or above
• Recent experience of working in the NHS
• Experience of delivering coaching or mentoring
• Leadership experience in the NHS
• Experience of delivering education programmes
• Experience of delivery change programmes

Specific skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organisational skills
• Experience of delivering complex programmes or activities
• Experience of working with a variety of digital platforms

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.

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust