Consultant Paediatrician

We are looking for a number of individuals to join our new team in this exciting role! This could be on a full time or part time basis, permanent or a secondment. Please specify in your supporting information your preferred options.

The Cass Review has recommended that staff should maintain a broad clinical perspective by working across related NHS services in order to embed the care of children and young people with gender-related distress within a broader child and adolescent health context. In order to facilitate this, we encourage part time applications from staff already working within other NHS services. Alternatively, we will work with successful candidates applying for full time roles to agree a job plan that includes a mix of gender service activity and activity in another clinical area in one of the hub providers.

We are seeking skilled and compassionate individuals to join the new NHS Children and Young People’s Gender Service (London) in the role of Consultant Paediatrician. Post holders will provide clinical leadership and input to the NHS Children and Young People’s Gender Service (London) clinics, including providing a paediatric opinion as part of a multidisciplinary team for children and young people.

Main duties of the job

Successful candidates will have experience with children or adolescents with complex presentations and preferably with experience of children who are gender questioning. They will be experienced in assessment and management of children and young people experiencing neurodiversity, social vulnerability, and have experience and expertise in safeguarding and child protection processes. They will have been involved in service improvement and design and be able to work objectively in a service with high level of external scrutiny, whilst focusing on delivering the best care for children and young people, aligned to the new service specification.

The post holder will provide clinical leadership, supervision and support to junior staff and be a source of clinical expertise to the multi-disciplinary team. The post offers opportunities to take a key role in a number of exciting service development and research initiatives.

Working for our organisation

Following the recommendations of The Cass Review Interim Report, two new nationally networked services led by specialist children’s tertiary care providers are being established. The Southern Hub, based in London, is delivered by a partnership of Evelina London Children’s Hospital (part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust), Great Ormond Street Hospital and the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. The Northern Hub is delivered by a partnership of Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust and the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital (part of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust). This role is based in the Southern Hub.

We are committed to promoting an environment that embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. We would like all our families and staff to feel valued and respected because we try to understand and provide for their individual needs.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

A new clinical pathway has been developed, based on the recommendations of The Cass Review Interim Report, the NHS England interim service specification, and the expertise of many clinicians from across the Northern and Southern Hubs. The service will be delivered by a wide multi-disciplinary team including paediatricians, mental health practitioners, youth workers, nurses, speech and language therapists and occupational therapists. Who patients see will be dependent on the support and care they need.

Children and young people will receive an in-depth assessment of their needs, and a care plan will be developed with them and, if needed, those supporting them. Children and young people may be offered a range of care interventions such as therapy, family therapy, physical health support, or mental health support for any identified difficulties they may want help with. The team will also liaise with health professionals in local services nearer to the child or young person.

It is expected that the NHS Children and Young People’s Gender Service will continue to change and evolve as more learning, research and evidence is developed in this area, and therefore we would encourage applications from individuals with a passion for service improvement, audit and research.

Person specification

Culture and Values

• Knowledge and understanding of diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
• Understanding of Diversity and Inclusion challenges in the workplace.
• Demonstrable contribution to advancing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace.

Qualifications

• MRCPCH by examination or equivalent.
• Eligible for full UK GMC/GDC registration and a Licence to Practise.
• Completed a minimum of 18 months higher specialist training in a relevant paediatric subspecialty, including Community Child Health, Adolescent Health, Neurodevelopmental Paediatrics / Neurodisability, safeguarding.
• On GDC/GMC Specialist Register or within six months of attaining CCT in relevant paediatric sub-specialty.
• Able to demonstrate having achieved the competencies equivalent to the Highest Specialist Paediatric Training.
• Higher degree or post-graduate qualification, MSc, MD, PhD in Paediatrics.

Experience/Knowledge

• Demonstrable knowledge and experience of working in children’s services, specifically with children with complex health care needs including neurodevelopmental issues, and with CYP experiencing social vulnerability.
• Experience of working in partnership with external networks/agencies.
• Familiarity with a wide range of tools used in assessment of children with autism and communication disorders.
• Demonstrable experience and expertise in managing children and young people experiencing social vulnerability, safeguarding and child protection processes.
• Record of active involvement in clinical governance, audit, management.
• Experience of teaching and training undergraduates, postgraduates and junior medical staff.
• Experience of implementing service improvements within a service.
• Experience of working with children or young people who are gender questioning.
• Track record of research, publications/ understanding / knowledge of Research Ethics.
• Knowledge of gender identity in its wider sense and of the evidence base/research landscape for gender identity.

Skills/Abilities

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate with clarity and intelligently in written and spoken English; ability to build rapport, listen, persuade/ negotiate.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; empathy, understanding, listening skills, patience and ability to work co-operatively with others.
• Ability to provide, receive, analyse and communicate complex, highly sensitive, confidential, or highly contentious information.
• Able to change and adapt, respond to changing circumstances and to cope with setbacks or pressure.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Evidence of leadership attributes and experience.