AHP Lead

NHS; Reading; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare provider in Reading is seeking an experienced Allied Health Professional Lead for its inpatient mental health services. This senior role provides leadership to a dedicated team of AHPs within an innovative and well-supported environment. Candidates should have substantial experience in mental health, a relevant AHP degree, and the desire to contribute to a positive caregiving culture. The position offers excellent benefits and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Flexible working options

27 days annual leave

Generous NHS pension scheme

Excellent learning opportunities

Discounts at retailers and restaurants

Free parking

Qualifications

• Registered AHP qualified practitioner with relevant MSc.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development required.
• Experience in managing and leading healthcare teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior clinical leadership to AHPs in mental health services.
• Deliver professional and operational leadership for AHPs.
• Ensure high-quality services for patients and families.

Skills

Leadership experience

Extensive experience in mental health

Excellent communication skills

Change management

Education

Degree in an AHP profession

Current HCPC registration

Tools

Excel

Powerpoint

Job description

Job Summary

Are you an experienced Allied Health Professional with proven leadership skills, ready to take the next step in your career? Do you want to make a real impact within a CQC-rated "Outstanding" Trust that genuinely prioritises staff wellbeing?

At Berkshire Healthcare, we are proud of our Outstanding CQC rating, which reflects our positive, inclusive and supportive culture where people feel valued and empowered. We are recruiting to an exciting Band 8a Allied Health Professional (AHP) Lead role for our inpatient mental health services, based at Prospect Park Hospital, Reading.

As the AHP Lead for Inpatient Mental Health Services, you will provide senior clinical leadership to AHPs working across our acute inpatient mental health wards for adults and older adults. This role is suited to an experienced, highly skilled AHP with substantial clinical expertise and strong leadership experience.

You’ll benefit from a well-established AHP leadership structure, access to high-quality learning and development resources, and excellent peer support across the Trust—enabling you to thrive and make a meaningful difference. You will need to be on site daily to offer accessible, compassionate leadership and to provide direct support, guidance and encouragement to the team in their day‑to‑day work.

Main duties of the job

• The post holder will provide operational line management for the therapy team based at Prospect Park Hospital in Reading.
• They will deliver professional and operational leadership for AHPs across inpatient services in accordance with trust values, ensuring the delivery of effective, efficient and high-quality services for service users and their families/carers.
• Be accountable for the professional and clinical performance of AHP staff within our inpatient mental health services.
• To work collaboratively to develop and deliver safe and effective services in accordance with key national targets, clinical standards and service priorities.

About us

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we’re committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values

• Caring for and about you is our top priority.
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services.
• Working together with you to develop innovative solutions.

Benefits

• Flexible working options to support work‑life balance.
• 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell.
• Generous NHS pension scheme.
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities.
• ‘Cycle to Work’ and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles.
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services.
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants.
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality.
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave.
• Free parking across Trust sites.

Details

• Date posted: 17 December 2025
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 8a
• Salary: £55,690 to £62,682 a year per annum
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full‑time
• Reference number: 371-MHS883-A
• Job locations: Prospect Park Hospital, Honey End Lane, Reading, RG30 4EJ

Qualifications & experience

• Qualification in an AHP profession.
• Current HCPC registration.
• Extensive experience of working as an AHP within mental health services.
• Leadership experience.

We’re committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about any other questions you may have. Please don’t hesitate to call: Michelle Mbayiwa, [e-mail] or 07876 578401.

Please note, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Person Specification

• Education/Qualifications/Training (Essential):
  • Degree (or equivalent) in an AHP profession.
  • Current HCPC registration.
  • Relevant MSc qualification or equivalent experience.
  • Leadership/Management Qualification or equivalent experience.
• Continuous Professional Development (Essential):
  • Evidence of ongoing professional development.
  • Postgraduate training in a relevant clinical speciality.
  • Willingness to undertake further training and development.
• Previous Experience (Essential):
  • Evidence of extensive postgraduate experience of working in mental health settings.
  • Evidence of experience of working in inpatient mental health services.
  • Experience of managing and leading a team.
  • Evidence of working proactively with staff in implementing innovative clinical practice.
  • Proven experience of effective communication with patients, carers, staff, managers & external agencies.
  • Experience in recruitment and selection.
  • Experience in managing a team budget.
  • Experience of working autonomously.
  • Experience of audit and the utilisation of results for service improvement.
• Desirable:
  • Experience of system working.
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (Essential):
  • Change management in the NHS.
  • Working proactively with staff in implementing innovative clinical practice.
  • Knowledge and understanding of relevant National policies and guidelines relevant to the area.
  • Demonstrable leadership skills and understanding of own leadership style.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Effective IT skills including the use of Excel and Powerpoint.
  • Presentation skills.
  • Demonstrates good negotiation and influencing skills.
• Additional Requirements (Essential):
  • Ability to participate in the on‑call rota.

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.

UK Registration

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

Employer details

Employer name: Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address: Prospect Park Hospital, Honey End Lane, Reading, RG30 4EJ

Website: https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/