Highly Specialist Learning Disability Physiotherapist

NHS; England; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

A health service provider in Hertfordshire is seeking an experienced Highly Specialist Learning Disability Physiotherapist for a 12-month maternity cover. The successful candidate will manage a complex caseload and provide leadership within a diverse multidisciplinary team. Key qualifications include a degree in Physiotherapy and HCPC registration. The role offers a competitive salary and full-time hours.

Qualifications

• Experience of learning disability conditions.
• Significant Postgraduate Training relevant to Learning Disability.
• Broad base of clinical experience working with people with a Learning Disability.

Responsibilities

• Provide high quality Physiotherapy and consultation to people within the Specialist Learning Disability Service.
• Manage a complex caseload using evidence-based principles.
• Provide clinical leadership to Physiotherapy staff.

Skills

Effective written and oral communication skills

Analytical skills

Leadership skills

Supervisory skills

Education

Diploma / degree in Physiotherapy

State registration with HCPC

Post registration experience in a relevant clinical setting

Job description

Go back Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Highly Specialist Learning Disability Physiotherapist

The closing date is 10 October 2025

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Physiotherapist to join Specialist Learning Disability Services based in Hertfordshire for a fixed 12 month period (maternity cover).

The successful candidate will work as an influential and integral member of a diverse multi-disciplinary team and will join the Physiotherapy Team .

You will be a highly motivated, experienced clinician and will be able to demonstrate an interest and specialist knowledge in working with this client group. You will have excellent communication and organisational skills and be enthusiastic about working as part of a dynamic, multi-disciplinary team.

You will receive regular clinical supervision and support from the Professional Lead Physiotherapist and will work closely with the Professional Lead to develop Physiotherapy services within learning disabilities across Hertfordshire .

Main duties of the job

Key job roles:

• To provide comprehensive Physiotherapy assessment and intervention for specified service user group.
• To carry a caseload as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
• To provide clinical leadership to Physiotherapy staff within the service.
• To provide supervision to Physiotherapists and students within the work setting.
• To lead in a specialist area and contribute to the development of specialist service related policies.

About us

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from theCare Quality Commission

Our family of over 4,000 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. Everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:

Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.

Job responsibilities

• To provide high quality Physiotherapy and consultation to people within the Specialist Learning Disability Service .
• To manage a complex caseload, using evidence based/client principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions in clinic and community settings and on home visits.
• To effectively manage the local waiting list and KPIs
• To formulate and implement plans for the formal Physiotherapy treatment and/or management of a client's condition and risk based upon an appropriate conceptual framework of the client's problems.
• To provide specialist Physiotherapy advice, guidance and consultation to other professionals contributing directly to a client's formulation, diagnosis and case management plan.
• To provide leadership locally for the Physiotherapists within the Herts Specialist Learning Disability Service.

Person Specification

Knowledge, Training and Experience

• Diploma / degree in Phyiotherapy
• State registration with HCPC
• Evidence of having met the full KSF Gateway for Band 6
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Membership of special interest group
• M.S.C.P
• Post registration experience in a relevant clinical setting
• Broad base of clinical experience
• Leadership / Management Training
• Significant Postgraduate Training relevant to Learning Disability

Communication Skills

• Effective written and oral communication skills
• Understanding of team dynamics
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with relevant stakeholders
• Supervisory skills
• Training and facilitation skills

Analytical Skills

• Posture management
• Specialist seating
• Assessment of complex disability and respiratory care
• Broad knowledge of current best practice in Physiotherapy and Learning Disability
• Application of the Physiotherapy process with designated client group
• Planning and coordination of treatment packages
• Ability to use problem solving techniques
• Ability to analyse professional and ethical issues
• Applied knowledge of mental health legislation including CPA and risk assessment and Management
• Ability to reflect on and critically appraise own performance.
• Working knowledge of Practice Governance.
• Completed Basic Bobath Course
• The ability to demonstrate creative practice Experience of audits/evaluations of interventions and implementation of any subsequent changes to practice

Areas of Experience and knowledge

• Specialist knowledge and application of current best practice in Physiotherapy.
• Experience of learning disability conditions
• Post registration experience in a relevant clinical setting
• Understanding of treatments and interventions commonly used in Learning Disability
• Broad base of clinical experience working with people with a Learning Disability
• Understanding of and ability to resolve professional and ethical Issues
• Understanding current Policies and Practice relevant to Learning Disability and their implications for Physiotherapy
• Experience of generic and specialist Physiotherapy assessments and interventions
• Experience of working in some or all of the following areas: Neurology Learning Disability Respiratory Care Moving and Handling Working in community setting
• Experience in providing advice, support and clinical supervision to junior staff and/or students
• Knowledge & experience of Recruitment and Selection criteria
• Project Management
• Change Management Skills
• Experience in research or audit
• Effective leadership skills, including the ability to manage conflict, good communication, planning and decision making skills, organisational skills and the ability to innovate in Service Development

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.

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

West Specialist Learning Disability Services

The Marlowes Health & Well Being Centre, 39-41 The Marlowes Hemel Hempstead

£50,008 to £56,908 a yearPer annum, Pro rata (5% HCAS Included)

Contract

Secondment

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

367-LD&F-3757

Job locations

West Specialist Learning Disability Services

The Marlowes Health & Well Being Centre, 39-41 The Marlowes Hemel Hempstead