NHS - foot in the door?

[JenniferYellowHat1980]

I've taken a huge pay cut to quit teaching and work in the NHS as an assistant in a clinical science area. I'd like to think I can train to at least band 5 on the job via an existing university partnership but as the area is relatively niche I don't know that the prospects for employment are great once qualified (and I'm rural which doesn't help).

I'm not interested in nursing (well not in a general sense anyway) but there are a couple of AHP roles that really appeal, however my family can't afford to take the financial hit while I retrain.

I'm capable of working in a much more specialised role than I'll be starting in - is the NHS likely to recognise this and develop me as an employee somehow? I don't expect anything to fall in my lap but I will seek opportunities if they're there.

Bit hard to say - your post is a bit vague - but from my experience there is lot of opportunity once you're in. Relevant NHS experience is often THE most important aspect of your cv when you're applying internally.
When you say 'qualified' do you mean that your current post will get you to a formally recognised level in a specific area?

Yes, I mean band 5 level (it was referred to as 'qualified' at induction). I'm interested in radiography or maybe OT.

The NHS doesn't usually develop employees beyond the role they have been employed to do. You would get training and development related to the role only.
If you want to progress to higher paid roles you would need to apply for other roles at a higher band or to a specific training scheme,

Thanks.

Id say they won't develop you. I went for a training role in nursing (I am a nurse) and they wouldn't recognise my PGCE!
They really don't like people with other experiences - it's very much an employer I think which suffered from "not grown here" .