Associate Hospital Manager

Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust; Bradford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A health services provider seeks volunteer Associate Hospital Managers to support the Mental Health Act provisions. This role allows community members to make a significant impact in mental health by sitting on review panels and ensuring patient rights are upheld. The position requires a commitment of 1-3 days per month and offers training to enhance your understanding of mental health legislation. Ideal for individuals passionate about equality, diversity, and advocating for mental health rights.

Benefits

Full training provided

Expense reimbursement for travel

Qualifications

• Knowledge of Mental Health Legislation and associated Codes of Practice.
• Commitment of one to three days per month as a volunteer.
• The ability to make rational decisions based on provided information.

Responsibilities

• Work with Mental Health Act procedures.
• Sit on review panels and question relevant personnel.
• Participate in mandatory training and annual reviews.

Skills

Knowledge of Mental Health Legislation

Communication skills

Listening skills

Understanding of human rights

Job description

Associate Hospital Manager

The closing date is 04 January 2026

Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust provides award‑winning mental health, learning disability, community health services and community children’s services that support the communities throughout their lives. Our services cover all ages and, if you live in Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale or Craven, you may encounter one of our teams at some point in your life.

A new volunteer opportunity has arisen for individuals living within the BDCFT local community (Bradford and Craven) to join our team of hospital managers. Under Section 23 of the Mental Health Act 1983 a patient may apply for a review of their detention or community treatment order. The hospital managers must undertake a review following the renewal/extension of a detention in hospital or community treatment order. The decision is made by a panel of three hospital managers.

Because this duty cannot be carried out by employees of the Care Trust, volunteers are engaged to fulfil the required functions of hospital managers. The role requires a commitment of between one and three days per month. Expenses can be claimed on a monthly basis. Full training is offered before any panel duties are carried out and further online or in‑person training is available to reinforce knowledge.

Main duties of the job

Associate Hospital Managers have a central role in operating the provisions of the Mental Health Act and ensuring that the requirements of the Act are followed. Section 23 gives the Care Trust the power to discharge an unrestricted patient from detention. This power is exercised by a review panel of three Associate Hospital Managers on behalf of the Trust.

The post holder will be expected to:

• Work with agreed Mental Health Act procedures.
• Gain knowledge of the Code of Practice and ensure compliance.
• Sit on review panels adopting and applying fair and reasonable procedures.
• Receive reports in advance of the review meeting, read and digest them.
• Listen to and actively question the patient, Responsible Clinician, Care Coordinator, Social Worker or Community Psychiatric Nurse (CPN), nurse and any other appropriate personnel at the review meeting.
• Make rational decisions based on information given, properly directing oneself as to the law.

We are looking for individuals interested in equality, diversity, human rights and mental health. This is an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our most vulnerable patients by ensuring that their rights are met.

About us

Everything we do is underpinned by our core values:
We Care – We act with respect and empathy, and always value difference.
We Listen – We understand people’s views and respond to their individual needs.
We Deliver – We develop and provide excellent services and support our partners.

We are also proud to pledge support to the Armed Forces and hold a Bronze Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. BDCFT is dedicated to environmental and social sustainability through its Green Plan. All staff are encouraged and supported to participate in training and to implement sustainable quality improvement across all service areas.

The Trust reserves the right to close this position early if a significant number of applications are received.

Job responsibilities

At any one time, approximately 24 Associate Hospital Managers are available to sit on patient appeals and renewal hearings. Some managers have agreed to act as Chair and receive extra training and payment for this role.

Associate Hospital Managers will be required to:

• Participate in an annual review with the MHA Advisor and an appraisal every three years, led by the Mental Health Legislation Lead and MHA Advisor.
• Attend all mandatory training; some subjects are classroom‑based, others are via e‑learning.
• Comply with all Trust policies, procedures and protocols.
• Use materials and equipment responsibly.
• Carry out duties in line with the Trust’s Equal Opportunity Policy.
• Seek advice and support from the Mental Health Act Advisor whenever necessary.
• Provide support to colleagues who are new to the role and to support peers around their personal health and wellbeing.

Closing: 4th January 2026

Shortlisting: w/c 5th January 2026

Interviews: 16th January 2026 TBC

Right to work in the United Kingdom is mandatory. The Trust only sponsors registered healthcare practitioners. Applicants must provide proof of right to work and must notify the manager of any change in status. Failure to maintain legal right to work may result in termination.

Person Specification

Knowledge

• Knowledge of Mental Health Legislation and associated Codes of Practice.

Training

• Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act.

Experience

• Broad understanding of the socioeconomic climate experienced within Bradford District Care Trust’s catchment areas.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Depending on experience a sessional fee is paid for each panel completed.

Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust

For further details, please see the attached Job description and person specification.