Locum Specialty Doctor in Neurodevelopmental Paediatrics

Countess of Chester; Chester; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Chester is seeking a Locum Specialty Doctor in Neurodevelopmental Paediatrics to join the Neurodevelopmental Team. The post involves clinics covering autism, ADHD, developmental delay and other neuro-disabilities for children aged 0-16.

The successful applicant will integrate with the team to provide comprehensive services, including Education Health Care Plans assessment, and potential role redesign by negotiation.

Qualifications

• Full GMC registration is required.
• MRCPCH or FRCPCH and MSc or higher degree are required.
• Experience in ADHD and ASD assessment.
• 2 years’ community paediatrics or CAMHS experience.
• Level 3 Safeguarding training.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• To undertake developmental assessments and formulate plans of care with the multidisciplinary team for children of all ages.
• Oversee the medical care of children with neuro-disabilities and vulnerable children.
• Contribute to a childhood autism assessment service, preschool and school age children.
• Contribute to childhood ADHD assessment service.
• Provide medical advice for the Education Health Care Needs assessment (EHCNA) for children under their care.
• The job plan includes autism joint assessment clinics and general paediatric clinics.

Skills

Audit & governance

Medical management

Undergraduate teaching

ADHD/ASD assessment

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Education

Full GMC registration

MRCPCH or FRCPCH + MSc or higher degree

Job description

Locum Specialty Doctor in Neurodevelopmental Paediatrics

Specialty Doctor

Main area Neurodevelopmental Paediatrics Grade Specialty Doctor Contract 12 months (Fixed Term) Hours Full time - 10 sessions per week Job ref 210-2026-489-A

Site Countess of Chester Hospital Town Chester Salary £63,696 - £102,689 pa Salary period Yearly Closing 28/10/2026 23:59

Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, staff pride themselves on not only leading through clinical excellence, but also by creating an environment where all staff are valued and appreciated. To achieve this, the Trust has embarked on an exciting new strategy focused on continuous improvement.

Our vision is to improve the lives of our community and provide excellence in healthcare, through partnership and innovation

Our High Performance Culture will support everyone to be the best version of themselves by being true to our Trust vision, values and behaviours.
We welcome applications from colleagues from our local and neighbouring communities of all backgrounds and identities, who are currently under-represented within our region such as Black, Asian, Minority ethnic and those with disabilities.

As a region we are reviewing the way we work, and exploring how new working practices that support flexible working can create a positive work-life balance. As part of our recruitment process we will explore how our inclusive employment policies, flexible working, staff engagement forums, Trust facilities and services can be of mutual benefit.

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Locum Specialty Doctor to join the Neurodevelopmental Team. The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to be able to offer an opportunity for a highly motivated team player to join our well-established Neurodevelopmental Paediatrics Team.

The post involves undertaking clinics that may cover a wide range of Neurodevelopmental Paediatric issues including autism, ADHD, developmental delay and other aspects of neuro-disability from 0-16 years. Statuary duties include undertaking medical assessment for Education Health and Care Plans for children assessed by you.

The successful candidate will be expected to integrate within the existing team in order to provide a complete Neurodevelopmental Paediatric Service. The department is evolving, and the roles and responsibilities of this post may be redesigned in negotiation with the appointee.

The post is based at the Kingsway Children Centre.

Main duties of the job

Responsibilities will include:

To undertake developmental assessments and formulate plans of care with the multidisciplinary team for children of all ages

• To oversee the medical care of children with neuro-disabilities and vulnerable children.
• To contribute to a childhood autism assessment service, preschool and school age children.
• To contribute to childhood ADHD assessment service.
• To provide medical advice for the Education Health Care Needsassessment (EHCNA) for children under their care.
• The job plan includes autism joint assessment clinics and general paediatric clinics.

Working for our organisation

The Trust’s services are provided from three locations:

• The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 473 general and acute beds.
• Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 60 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility.
• Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust employs 5,964 staff (headcount) to provide care and treatment to a population of over 400,000 people living in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire.

The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System. Due to its location on the border with North Wales, the Trust also works closely with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

The Trust treats patients from England and some parts of Wales. During 2024/2025, there were approximately 643,000 patient attendances (inpatient, A&E, outpatient and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

See Job Description for further details.

Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values. An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page.

If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the ‘essential’ criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer ‘YES’ to the question: ‘Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?’

Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.

The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

If a DBS is required for your role, you are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee applies which is payable to the DBS Service. Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Cost will be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.

New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.

Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.

The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet immigration rules

Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.

Good luck with your application.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Full GMC registration
• MRCPCH or FRCPCH (or equivalent) MSc (or other higher degree)

Experience

• At least 4 years full time postgraduate training or Equivalent part time/flexible basis.
• Clinical experience in assessment of ADHD and ASD
• 2 years’ experience in Community Paediatrics or CAMHS
• Level 3 Safeguarding training

Skills & Knowledge

• Understand role of Clinical Audit within Service
• Relevant experience in undertaking and organisation of Audit
• Experience in Medical Management roles
• Experience of dealing with governance and risk

Education and Teaching

• Up to date with annual appraisals and revalidation requirements
• Experience in undergraduate education

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
If the role is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 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.

Enhanced DBS check applications that are submitted with omitted or incorrect information will be withdrawn. In the event errors are identified on your original application, a new application will need to be submitted and you will be required to pay the DBS application fee again.

The cost of the DBS application will be deducted from your salary over the first three months of employment.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - Check if you need a UK visa - GOV.UK

The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet these immigration rules

For further details on skilled worker sponsorship, please consult the UK Home Office guidance: Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK. Additionally, the New guidance for overseas applicants | NHS Employers provides helpful information on the recruitment process for candidates applying for roles in the UK.

Overseas candidates are responsible for their travel expenses.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependent's (over 18 years old) will also be subject to this requirement.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.