Physiotherapist

Job summary
The post holder will provide a high-quality specialist physiotherapy service to adults within forensic inpatient mental health services, delivering assessment, treatment and rehabilitation for individuals with musculoskeletal and respiratory conditions. The role will focus on improving physical function, mobility, respiratory health and overall well-being through evidence-based physiotherapy interventions, while addressing the significant physical health inequalities experienced by people with severe mental illness in secure settings.

As a new role within the multidisciplinary team, the post holder will help bridge the gap between inpatient and community physiotherapy services by developing rehabilitation pathways that promote continuity of care and support safe discharge. The role will contribute to the development of Teir 3 weight management service within forensic services, alongside musculoskeletal rehabilitation, falls prevention and health promotion initiatives.

Working collaboratively with multidisciplinary colleagues, the post holder will support the prevention and management of long-term conditions through tailored exercise programs, physical activity promotion and patient education. The post holder will work autonomously, managing a defined caseload of complex patients with diverse physical and mental health needs, demonstrating advanced clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice.

Main duties of the job

• To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own work, ensuring high standards of clinical care for clients under your management.
• To accept clinical responsibility as an autonomous practitioner for a designated caseload, organising workload efficiently according to clinical priorities and available time.
• To assess and clinically diagnose clients using investigative and analytical skills; formulate individual management and treatment programs using advanced clinical reasoning and appropriate treatment options.
• To assess clients' understanding of treatment proposals and capacity to give informed consent, working within the legal framework where capacity is lacking.
• To continuously assess and evaluate treatment programs, modifying them according to client needs.
• Independently manage a complex caseload, providing specialist physiotherapy to forensic inpatients with mental illness and complex physical, cognitive, psychological, social, sensory and emotional needs, while recognising diversity.
• Establish therapeutic relationships with clients and carers to promote participation.
• Develop specialised treatment, rehabilitation and maintenance programs collaboratively with clients, carers and other agencies, selecting appropriate interventions.

About us
Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive, so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations

Details
Date posted: 18 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £45,953 to £54,254 a year per annum, Including HCAS
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 363-FOR8124268
Job locations: The John Howard Centre, 12 Kenworthy Road, London, E9 5TD, United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities
Please kindly refer to the job description and person specification attached to this vacancy for further information.

Person Specification
SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
Essential

• Ability to undertake all aspects of the physiotherapy process, including assess, manage and treat clients with complex multi pathologies at a specialist level
• Ability to work, communicate and negotiate with a wide range of professionals as a member of a multidisciplinary team
• Ability to establish a therapeutic relationship with clients and their families/carers
• Ability to apply specialist knowledge and skills in advising others on the care and treatment of clients in relation to specific specialism
• Excellent interpersonal skills including observation, listening, empathy and negotiation skills
• Ability to apply safe moving and handling techniques to clients with highly complex disabilities
• Ability to support junior staff, students and other disciplines in area of expertise
• Ability to prioritise own workload taking into account both clinical and non-clinical elements
• Evidence of good communication skills, both written and verbal, in relation to clinical and other areas of work
• Ability and commitment to working within a non-discriminatory client centred framework
• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to and respect for the needs and aspirations of clients and carers from all ethnic backgrounds
• Experience of working within a weight-management, health improvement or lifestyle intervention service.
• Experience of identifying and managing clinical risk, including consideration of comorbidities and complex physical and mental health needs.

Attributes
Essential

• Ability and willingness to work in on a number of different sites and within the community
• Good organisational skills
• Flexible and adaptable approach to work
• Calm manner and ability to deal with challenging situations and work under pressure
• Evidence of ability to reflect on own practice
• Sensitive to the views and needs of service users and carers from all backgrounds

Desirable

• Demonstrates a positive, encouraging and motivating approach to supporting service users to engage in physical activity, rehabilitation and behaviour change.

Experience
Essential

• Substantial post qualifying experience, to have included core areas of physiotherapy
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team
• Experience of participation in clinical governance activities
• Experience of prescribing and progressing individualised exercise programmes and promoting physical activity for people living with overweight or obesity and obesity-related comorbidities.

Desirable

• Experience of identifying and managing clinical risk, including consideration of comorbidities and complex physical and mental health needs.
• Experience of working within a weight-management, health improvement or lifestyle intervention service.

Knowledge & Qualifications
Essential

• Physiotherapy Degree or equivalent
• Registration with Health Professions Council
• Knowledge of theory and practice of physiotherapy in relation to this client group
• Documented evidence of relevant on-going professional development
• Knowledge of roles of other members of the multi-disciplinary team
• Knowledge of safe moving and handling techniques

Desirable

• Knowledge of motivational Interviewing or theory of behaviour change

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.

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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had 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 dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name: East London NHS Foundation Trust
Address: The John Howard Centre, 12 Kenworthy Road, London, E9 5TD, United Kingdom
Employer's website: (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Physical Health Lead, Chouna Smith, [email protected], 02085102626

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.
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 must have current UK professional registration.