Associate Hospital Managers

Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust; Bradford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A community healthcare organization is looking for Associate Hospital Managers in Bradford, England. The role entails participation in review panels, compliance with mental health legislation, and supporting the mental health community. Candidates should demonstrate critical thinking and empathy, with a commitment to ongoing training. This voluntary position requires 1-3 days per month, offering travel expense claims and training opportunities. An interest in mental health issues is crucial, and applicants should be living within the local community.

Benefits

Training provided

Travel expenses reimbursed

Opportunity for additional payments for responsibilities

Qualifications

• Experience or understanding of mental health legislation is essential.
• Ability to make rational decisions based on information given.
• Strong commitment to training and development.

Responsibilities

• Work with agreed Mental Health Act procedures.
• Sit on review panels following fair procedures.
• Participate in annual reviews and appraisals.

Skills

Knowledge of Mental Health Act

Critical thinking

Empathy

Communication

Job description

Overview

Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust provides award‑winning mental health, learning disability, community health services, and community children’s services that support our communities throughout their lives.

Our health‑care services cover all ages. If you live in Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale or Craven, you may come into contact with one of our teams at some point in your life.

A new 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 a community treatment order. The decision is made by a panel of three hospital managers.

Mental Health Legislation states that this duty cannot be carried out by employees of the Care Trust; however, the legislation permits the engagement of volunteers to carry out the required functions of hospital managers. The voluntary position requires a commitment of between 1 and 3 days per month. Expenses can be claimed on a monthly basis. Full training is offered before any panel duties are carried out. Hospital managers have access to a wide range of online and in‑person training to further reinforce their knowledge. Associate Hospital Managers have a central role in operating the provisions of the Mental Health Act and have the key responsibility for seeing that the requirements of the Act are followed.

Section 23 of the Mental Health Act gives Associate Hospital Managers (the Care Trust, who is responsible for the operation of the Act) the power to discharge an unrestricted patient from detention. The power to discharge is exercised on behalf of the Trust by a review panel consisting of three Associate Hospital Managers.

Responsibilities

• Work with agreed Mental Health Act procedures.
• Gain knowledge of the Code of Practice and ensure compliance with this.
• Sit on review panels adopting and applying a procedure which is fair and reasonable.
• Receive reports in advance of the review meeting and read and digest them.
• Listen to and actively question the patient, Responsible Clinician, Care Co‑ordinator, 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.
• Participate in annual review with the MHA Advisor and with an appraisal every 3 years, led by the Mental Health Legislation Lead and MHA Advisor.
• Attend all mandatory training; some subjects will be classroom‑based, others provided via e‑learning.
• Comply with all Trust policies, procedures and protocols.
• Pay regard to materials and equipment.
• Carry out duties with due regard to the Trust's Equal Opportunity Policy.
• Seek advice and support from the Mental Health Act Advisor whenever necessary.
• Provide support to your colleagues who may be new to the role and support your peers around their personal health and well‑being.

What We Offer

• Expenses can be claimed on a monthly basis.
• Full training before panel duties.
• Additional payment for Chair responsibilities when undertaking extra training.

Working for Our Organisation

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.

BDCFT is 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 by delivering on the commitments within our Green Plan. All staff are actively encouraged and supported to participate in training and to identify and implement sustainable quality improvement across all service areas and activities.

Equality, Diversity, and Human Rights

We welcome people from all backgrounds. Bradford District Care Trust is keen to reflect the population we serve. Applications are encouraged from under‑represented groups, but the selection will be solely on merit and in accordance with the Trust recruitment policy.

We would welcome applicants with lived experience of providing unpaid care and/or support to a family member or friend with a disability, health condition, frailty, mental health problem, addiction or other health and care needs.

Visa and Work‑Right Requirements

Applicants must be aware that, for any individual who requires a visa to work in the UK, the Trust provides sponsorship for registered healthcare practitioner roles only. The Trust is unable to offer a role if you are unable to meet Trust requirements for sponsorship and Home Office requirements for a visa.

Prior to your appointment you will be asked to provide confirmation of your right to work and reside in the UK. During your continued employment, you have a personal responsibility to notify your manager as soon as possible should there be any changes to your right‑to‑work status.

Regrettably, if the role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Trust's eligibility criteria, the Trust is unable to extend your employment beyond the expiration of your current visa. The Trust is not responsible for ensuring that your employment continues after this period.

It is essential you maintain the legal right to work in the United Kingdom throughout your employment with Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust (BDCFT). Any change in your right‑to‑work status, including visa expiration, revocation, or denial of renewal, may impact your eligibility for employment with the Trust. You are responsible for promptly informing your line manager of any changes and providing the necessary documentation for verification. Failure to renew your visa in a timely manner is a breach of employment conditions and may result in termination.

Please note that the Trust reserves the right to close the vacancy before the closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received. It is in the candidate's best interest to apply as soon as possible.

Location & Community

Bradford has been awarded the coveted status of UK City of Culture 2025. The year is set to deliver more than 1000 new performances and events, including 365 artist commissions, a series of major arts festivals, and exciting national and international collaborations.

Our purpose is to create connected communities and help people to feel as healthy as they can be at every point in their lives. Our vision is to connect people to the best quality care, when and where they need it, and to be a national role model as an employer, providing our staff with the best place to work.