Physiotherapy Assistant

Current Vacancies; Guildford; Hybrid; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS Pension Scheme

Flexible working arrangements

Eye care

Mental Health First Aiders

Cycle to Work Scheme

Job summary

Shooting Star Children’s Hospices is seeking a Physiotherapy Assistant to join the team across Christopher’s, Shooting Star House and the community. You will deliver physiotherapy including aquatic therapy to babies, children and young people, working with the physiotherapist and multidisciplinary teams.

The role is fixed term for 12 months, with 37.5 hours per week including some evenings and weekends. A supportive, compassionate team environment and access to a range of benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• Experience of working with children and young people with a disability or life-limiting condition.
• Experience of aquatic therapy would be useful, although training will be given.
• Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, in a health or school setting.
• Good communication skills are essential for this role.

Responsibilities

• Deliver physiotherapy sessions, including aquatic therapy, for babies, children and young people.
• Work with the multidisciplinary teams across the hospice and community.
• Support group sessions and activities when the pool is ready.

Skills

Experience with children and young peo

Disability or life-limiting conditions

Aquatic therapy experience

Communication skills

Job description

This is a Temporary , Full Time vacancy that will close in 8 days at 23:59 BST .

Hours:Full Time, 37.5 flexible hours per week - including some weekends

Contract Type:Fixed Term

We are looking for Physiotherapy Assistant to work with our Physiotherapist in delivering physiotherapy including aquatic therapy (hydrotherapy) for the babies, children and young people of Shooting Star Children’s Hospices.

This post is fixed term, to cover 12 months leave, an ideal opportunity to be part of a brilliant and active team, who provide families with excellent care and experiences.

About the role

The Physiotherapy Team provides land based and pool-based sessions to children and young people staying at Christopher’s for respite and end of life care. We provide outpatient hydrotherapy sessions for children, young people and their families, including bereaved families. The Physiotherapy Team enjoy leading baby swim groups and a Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy hydrotherapy group, allowing families to spend time together. Our hydrotherapy pool at Shooting Star house is currently undergoing refurbishment and we are looking forward to developing more group sessions and siblings’ day swims when the pool is ready. In this role you will work closely with teams in the hospice and out in the community. Physiotherapy is one of our Psychosocial Teams, who support the physical, social and emotional wellbeing of children and their families.

The role is based across Christopher’s, Shooting Star House and the community, with some evening and weekend working required as part of the service.

About you

We’re looking for an enthusiastic person who wants to bring health, wellness and enjoyment to Shooting Star children and families.

You should be a person with experience of working with children and young people with a disability or life-limiting condition.

Experience of aquatic therapy would be useful, although training will be given.

Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, in a health or school setting.

Good communication skills are essential for this role, including communicating well with children, young people and those with communication challenges.

Please see the attached job description for more information about this opportunity at Shooting Star Children’s Hospices.

What we offer

In return you will receive a competitive salary along with a range of benefits, which include:

• NHS Pension Scheme (for eligible employees) or our stakeholder pension scheme, with up to 7% employer contributions

Annual leave

• 27 days plus Bank Holidays rising with length of service
• 2 weeks paid sabbatical leave after 5, 10 and 15 years’ service

Contractual benefits

• Enhanced maternity, adoption, and paternity leave pay
• Flexible working arrangements
• Reimbursed professional membership fees
• Eye care

Health and wellbeing

• Employee Assistance Programme
• Occupational Health
• Mindfulness sessions
• Mental Health First Aiders

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff to share this commitment. Also, we are committed to equal opportunities and consider all applicants to be in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Employment is subject to receipt of satisfactory references and a DBS check.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Shooting Star Children’s Hospices is committed to inclusion and diversity in everything we do. We know that getting things right is critical for us to live our organisation’s values: Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Diversity and Excellence.

We are always trying to improve our way of working to be more inclusive and equal. Our vision is for Shooting Star Children’s Hospices to be a place where people of all backgrounds, groups and communities feel welcomed to work and volunteer.

Please contact Ginny Hancock,[e-mail] or020 8783 2000if you have any questions about this role.

Anticipated closing date:05/10/2026

Interview date: 12/10/2026

About Shooting Star Children’s Hospices

Shooting Star Children’s Hospices provides specialist care and support to families who have a baby, child or young person with a life-limiting condition, or who have been bereaved. At the heart of what we do are our dedicated staff; their exceptional commitment and professionalism means every family has the opportunity tomake every moment count.

To help each member of our team to excel in their role, we provide a range of skills training, staff benefits, discounts and wellbeing events. Discover the difference you can make today.

The Benefits

Pension Scheme

Retail Discounts

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Recognition 'Star' Awards

Employee Referral Scheme

The Team

• Ellie
• EMDR and Art Therapist

"Shooting Star has supported my professional development from day one – enabling me to broaden my knowledge and expertise in bereavement care and trauma-informed practice, as an EMDR and Art Therapist. Their ongoing investment in my learning has made me feel valued and strengthened my confidence, ensuring that I am able to provide high-quality, evidence-informed, and compassionate care to the families that I support."

• Jess
• Nurse

"I started as a newly qualified nurse, now I have the skills and confidence to care for any child that comes into the hospice no matter how complex their care needs are."

• Cian

"I feel like a valued part of a collaborative team in Shooting Star. There's a genuinely supportive working environment here, where creativity is encouraged."