Physiotherapist - Specialist Mental Health

Job summary
Mental Health Physiotherapy is a fast-growing and exciting specialism within Physiotherapy. This is a unique opportunity to join a team of mental health physiotherapists working across the Trusts adult mental health wards. This is a Specialist Physiotherapist (Band 6) role and would ideally suit an experienced practitioner with the desire to help deliver a high-quality service to people living with mental health conditions.

You will be supported by a Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist (Band 7). The team will be led by a Professional Lead Physiotherapist (Band 8a) in Mental Health. You will not be expected to supervise any physiotherapists initially, but the plan is to grow the service to include Band 4 and Band 5 Physiotherapists, and at which point you would be responsible for supervision. There are currently opportunities to support student Physiotherapists.

The post holder will be based within reasonable distance of Hastings and Eastbourne/Bexhill and will need to able to travel to work at other sites on occasions. They will also need to be able to travel to other sites for meetings and training on occasions.

Experience in mental health is advantageous but not essential.

Strong supportive teams with dedicated supportive leaders
Excellent CPD opportunities
A service that works to develop clear evidence-based care pathways

Main duties of the job
You will already possess a broad range of skills to manage a varied caseload across a range of care pathways including, mobility and falls, rehabilitation of injuries and conditions, pain management, postural care, musculoskeletal, orthopaedic and neurological conditions. Due to the specialist nature of the role and broad range of care pathways we offer, support and CPD to develop skills gaps.

As well as direct interventions and group classes, physiotherapy will be delivered by increasing the skills and competencies of other staff on wards.

You will have support from and work collaboratively within the physiotherapy professional group which spans the whole of Sussex and includes a large team of learning disability physiotherapists, as well as mental health physiotherapists.

You will be collaborating across services to deliver results. We work closely with colleagues in social care, primary care and other specialist secondary services.

This is a great opportunity to use the skills you have developed across a broad range of care pathways.

About us
Sussex Partnership provides mental health and learning disability care for all age groups across Sussex and for children and young people in Sussex.

We encourage flexible working

We know that a positive work/ life balance brings about huge health-related benefits, which has a positive impact on the care we provide. Please speak to us about flexible working, for example, part time hours, flexible start/ finish times or anything else. If it works for you and works for the role, we'll do our best to make it happen.

We'd love you to join our Trust, rated 'good' overall and 'outstanding' for caring by the CQC. Our staff agree, in our recent staff survey 82% told us that they recognise that care for patients is our top priority.

Other key survey results:
70% highlighting flexible working as a key point for satisfaction at work
79% reporting feeling able to make suggestions to improve the work in their team
77% identifying opportunities to show initiative in their roles

REQUIREMENTS
In order to be a successful Physiotherapist in our team you will be:

• A qualified Physiotherapist, registered with the HCPC
• Experienced in a broad range of areas aforementioned
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced and varied role

Details
Date posted: 04 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number: 354-CO-21974
Job locations: Portland House, Worthing, BN11 1HS, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
The post holder will provide evidence-based physiotherapy to adults with mental health conditions who are in-patients at sites across East Sussex. The sites are in Hastings and Eastbourne. Please note that the Eastbourne site is due to move to Bexhill but the date for this is unknown currently.

The post holder will work across adult and older adult wards at these sites. They will provide input to patients with a wide range of issues, namely mobility and falls, chronic pain, musculoskeletal, neurological, polytrauma / orthopaedic and postural care.

Person Specification
Essential

• Diploma/Degree in Physiotherapy
• HCPC Registration
• Evidence of CPD in a portfolio including attendance at recent post-graduate courses relevant to the clinical field / reflective practice in relevant clinical field
• Relevant post graduate NHS experience
• Ability to demonstrate considerable relevant experience as a Band 5 or 6 physiotherapist in the ward setting
• Post-graduate experience of working as part of a physiotherapy team and multidisciplinary team
• Experience of service development / leading service development
• Sound knowledge of Physiotherapy in the relevant area
• Knowledge of this post and organisation
• Self-directed learning
• Knowledge of Critical Appraisal
• Ability to work independently, but seek help when required
• Ability to pass on skills/knowledge to others within both formal and informal environments
• Understand the legal responsibilities of the profession
• Awareness of relevant National and local policies and guidelines relevant to the area
• Able to present information, written and orally, in a clear and logical manner
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to organise, prioritise and delegate
• Ability to supervise other staff e.g. assistants, technical instructors
• Understanding of clinical governance and its implications for services
• Good knowledge of factors that contribute to good team working
• Competent IT Skills
• Drive and enthusiasm for clinical excellence and clinical development
• Good time management
• Flexible and Adaptable
• Able to maintain judgement under pressure
• Ability to problem solve
• Demonstrate appropriate use of initiative
• Ability to contribute positively to team working / team morale
• Willingness to take directions / constructive criticism
• Willingness to learn
• Criminal Records Bureau clearance
• Occupational Health clearance
• Ability to travel between multiple sites efficiently

Desirable

• CSP membership
• Membership of relevant Special Interest Group
• Supervision of juniors / assistants / students
• Experience of delegating tasks
• Experience of working in a mental health setting
• Presentation skills
• Evidence of participation in Audit and Research

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.

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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Principal Physiotherapist, Lizzy McWilliams, lizzy.mcwilliams@nhs.net