South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust has a rich history, well-established community links and an international reputation. We deliver specialist services in the London boroughs of Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark, Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, Wandsworth and Richmond.
We are committed to provide a high quality and specialist care to our service users and we are recognised for our care and treatment we provide. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as ‘good’.
We launched our five-year strategy, Aiming High; Changing Lives in 2021 together with Our Care Improvement System as our quality management system methodology to make a positive impact on patient care, outcomes and staff experience. By joining SLaM, all staff will get the opportunity to be part of this exciting improvement journey supported with learning and development to harness everyone’s potential as change makers.
The trust recognises the unique and valuable contribution that people with lived experience of mental illness can bring to a role. We therefore welcome applications from people with lived experience and consider them as an asset to the Trust.
Our Values
We take pride in providing specialist care to our service users where our Trust values and our promise to be caring, kind, polite, prompt, honest, listen and do what I say I’m going to do is at the heart of everything we do. When you join us, you’ll be part of something special.
As a Trust we are happy to talk flexible working.
Job overview
We are looking for an enthusiastic Physiotherapist to join our Working Age Adults Physiotherapy Team and play a central role in delivering physical activity and exercise interventions within a specialist weight management and metabolic health service for people with severe mental illness ('TUNE-UP').
Delivered in partnership between South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, the service brings together multidisciplinary expertise to improve physical health and support people to become more active.
You will need a recognised physiotherapy qualification, current HCPC registration, previous NHS experience and robust clinical experience as a qualified Physiotherapist. You should bring a broad range of assessment and rehabilitation skills, experience of multidisciplinary working and the ability to adapt interventions to individual needs.
A passion for improving the care of people with mental illness is essential. Experience in mental health services, physical activity interventions, weight management or metabolic conditions would be valuable.
You will combine clinical expertise with empathy, strong communication skills and a motivational approach, helping people overcome barriers to participation and build confidence in physical activity.
If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you!
Advert
You will deliver structured physical activity and exercise interventions as part of a multidisciplinary weight management and metabolic health service for people with severe mental illness.
Working autonomously, you will assess physical health, functional ability and rehabilitation needs, developing individualised programmes that account for mental health, motivation and barriers to participation. You will deliver individual and group interventions, review progress and adapt treatment plans and risk assessments as needs change.
You will work across clinical and community settings, supporting service users to access local physical activity opportunities and collaborating with community partners and physical activity workers. Interventions may include face-to-face and remote exercise groups.
You will work closely with dietetics, psychology, nursing and medical colleagues, alongside partner services at Guy’s and St Thomas’, to provide coordinated care.
You will contribute to developing and evaluating new initiatives, undertake audit and quality improvement, provide education to service users, carers and staff, and supervise junior physiotherapists and students as agreed with your supervisor.
Flexible Working
This is a part-time post of 22.5 hours per week. Flexible hours and working days can be agreed within service opening hours, taking account of clinical and team requirements.
Working for our organisation
Our Working Age Adults Physiotherapy Team supports people receiving mental healthcare across South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. We work with service users, their families and carers, and multidisciplinary colleagues to improve physical health, mobility, function and wellbeing.
This post contributes to a specialist weight management and metabolic health service delivered in partnership with Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. You will work alongside colleagues in dietetics, psychology, nursing and medicine, combining professional expertise to support people with severe mental illness.
SLaM works closely with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London and is part of King’s Health Partners. These links provide opportunities to contribute to research and develop clinical practice.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of the responsibilities and requirements.
Overall job purpose and responsibilities include:
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Deliver structured physical activity and exercise interventions within the multidisciplinary weight management and metabolic health service.
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Work as an autonomous practitioner, undertaking comprehensive assessments and developing individualised treatment and rehabilitation programmes.
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Consider how mental illness affects physical health, motivation and engagement, adapting interventions sensitively to each person’s needs.
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Deliver individual and group sessions across inpatient, outpatient and community settings, including remote interventions where appropriate.
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Evaluate outcomes, reassess treatment plans and manage clinical and environmental risks.
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Support service users to access community resources, including leisure centres and local physical activity opportunities.
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Work collaboratively with service users, carers, multidisciplinary colleagues, community partners and services at Guy’s and St Thomas’ to provide integrated care.
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Provide advice, education and training to support physical activity, rehabilitation and wellbeing.
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Maintain accurate clinical records and uphold professional standards, informed consent and clinical governance requirements.
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Contribute to service development, audit, outcome measurement, quality improvement and research.
- Champion the physical health needs of people with mental illness and promote the contribution of physiotherapy to their care.
The Trust is committed to providing services which embrace diversity and that promote equality of opportunity. We are a Disability Confident Employer, we welcome applicants from all sections of the community and people of all protected characteristics. We provide reasonable adjustments for candidates with a disability and are committed to treating people fairly with compassion, respect and dignity and in promoting equality and human rights. We aim to put this commitment into practice by:
- Embedding our commitment to tackling inequality, eliminating discrimination and harassment; promoting equality of opportunity and fostering good relations in our everyday practice
- Ensuring that all our services and all staff understand and support our commitment
- We believe that people who use our services, their carers and our staff, should be treated with compassion, respect and dignity.
Welcome to your candidate journey
Our Candidate Recruitment Information Pack is designed to help you learn more about our Trust, understand the recruitment process, and prepare a strong application. We encourage you to explore the pack and use the guidance, tips and resources available to help you feel informed, confident, and ready to showcase your best self:Recruitment Toolkit - Customer Success Test
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) when writing job applications
If you choose to use AI or other tools to assist in writing your application, it's essential to personalise this information, particularly your supporting information section. While AI can help streamline the writing process, these tools cannot fully grasp the context or requirements of the job you’re applying for. There is also a risk that it can generate false or misleading information.
AI-generated job applications can often be generic, impersonal and may not accurately reflect your qualifications, knowledge, skills, and experiences. It is crucial that you personalise your supporting statement by articulating these in your unique voice. Relying solely on AI to write your application or supporting information section is not advocated by South London and Maudsley NHS Trust and could negatively impact your chances of success in the application process.
We monitor applications for any behaviour that could create an unfair advantage, and we check all references carefully. You are likely to be tested on your experience at interview, so be honest and make sure all the information in your application is correct.
Please note:
- That all applications for this post will need to be made online
- That you read and understand the Job Description and Person Specification attached to the role. Your Statement in Support should reflect the requirements specified as your application will be judged against these criteria
- That the closing date listed is a guide only and that the vacancy may close earlier should sufficient number of applications have been received. We advise that you submit your application as early as possible
- That once you have submitted your application you agree to your application being transferred to a 3rd party e-recruitment system. All subsequent information regarding your application will be generated from apps.trac.jobs
- That should you not have heard from us within three weeks from the closing date your application has not been successful
- That priority consideration for applications may be given to at-risk NHS employees
- That should you be successful and appointed, you authorise South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust to confirm your previous NHS service via an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process
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That requests for Skilled Worker sponsorship will be considered on a case-by-case basis, where applicable, subject to the role and meeting the relevant eligibility requirements and the Trust’s policy. Applying for a role does not guarantee that sponsorship will be available or approved.
- That we are a smoke-free Trust
SLaM is a Stonewall Diversity Champion , Stonewall is the largest Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Trans (LGBT) rights charity in Europe’.