Crisis Care Service Lead

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

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider in Manchester is looking for a leader for the Children and Young People's Crisis Care Service. This role involves operational leadership and coordination across crisis services, focusing on high-quality care for children and young people experiencing a mental health crisis. The ideal candidate will have experience in mental health management and a commitment to high standards of care. This is a permanent, full-time position with a salary range of £55,690 to £62,682 per year.

Qualifications

• Experience as a senior clinician in a relevant clinical setting.
• Experience managing complex cases within mental health or social care.
• Registered with a professional body (e.g., NMC, HCPC).

Responsibilities

• Deliver effective service for safe and effective care pathways for all CYP referred to Crisis Care.
• Provide high-quality clinical service to children and young people before, during, and following a crisis.
• Manage individual CYP pathways to ensure high-quality services and care planning.

Skills

Open and facilitative leadership style

Communication of complex information

Good project management skills

Risk assessment and management

Education

Relevant core professional qualification in mental health

Registered/accredited with a professional body

Educated to first degree level

Job description

Overview

MFT CAMHS is dedicated to offering the right care at the right time to children, young people and their families presenting with a mental health need. This is an exciting opportunity to lead the Children and Young People's Crisis Care Service within the CAMHS Directorate and improve the way crisis care is experienced by CYP and those who care for them. You will be responsible for providing operational leadership and coordination across the crisis care service, including the rapid response, home treatment and paediatric pathway. This role is a key element of a GM wide Crisis Care Pathway which is child and young person centred, needs led, responsive, accessible and flexible. We seek applicants adept at working independently and collaboratively, with experience of leadership, management of a busy clinical service and who can offer consultation and supervision. We welcome candidates from a diverse array of backgrounds. MFT CAMHS is renowned for its creative and inclusive approach to mental health support, having been the first CAMHS to receive two consecutive "Outstanding" ratings from the CQC. We ensure a thorough induction for new staff and foster leadership at every level.

Responsibilities

• Deliver an effective service to ensure there are safe and effective care pathways in place for all CYP referred to Crisis Care.
• Ensure the provision of a 7 day, high quality clinical service to children and young people and families before, during and following crisis by working collaboratively with partner agencies and ensuring referrals are made to appropriate services.
• Offer community based assessment, de-escalation and risk reduction interventions when children and young people are presenting in crisis.
• Promote and maintain partnerships and interface with other professionals and agencies that work within mental health, social care, VCSE and emergency services.
• Use expert clinical knowledge and awareness of national guidance to support practitioners in the service offered to CYP and their families.
• Manage individual CYP pathways to ensure high quality services and care planning outcomes are achieved.
• Ensure services work in collaboration with children\'s and adults\' community mental health teams to provide safe transfer of care pre and post crisis episodes.
• Provide specialist advice, guidance or consultation to team members and other professionals contributing directly to children and young people\'s formulation, diagnosis and treatment plan.
• Provide reports and assurance against key performance indicators and continuously improve the service as required.

About us

MFT is one of the largest NHS Trusts in England with a turnover of over £3bn. We bring together 10 hospitals and community services from across Manchester, Trafford and beyond, champion collaborative working and transformation, and encourage our 30,000 workforce to pursue ambitious goals. We are digitally enabled with Hive, our Electronic Patient Record system launched in September 2022, and we are committed to research, education and sustainability through our Green Plan. We foster a culture of inclusion and belonging, provide equal opportunities for career development, and protect health and wellbeing.

Details

Date posted: 22 September 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for Change

Band: Band 8a

Salary: £55,690 to £62,682 a year, pro rata

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 349-MCH-7471400-RL4

Job locations: Carol Kendrick Centre, Stratus House, Southmoor Road, Wythenshawe, Manchester, M23 9XD

Job responsibilities

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you\'ll need, refer to the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under Supporting Documents. Please also read the Candidate Essentials Guide for details about the Trust, benefits and how we care for you as you care for others before submitting an application form.

Diversity

MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating diversity and eliminating discriminatory practice. All individuals are encouraged to apply. If you have any special requirements, please email [e-mail].

Qualifications and experience

Essential

• You must be registered/accredited with a professional body (e.g. NMC, SW England, UKCP, HCPC, BACP).
• Relevant core professional qualification in mental health (e.g. registered nurse, clinical psychologist, social worker) with evidence of continued professional development in CAMHS.
• Evidence of professional registration.
• Educated to first degree level or able to demonstrate equivalent skills and abilities to work at this level.

Desirable

• Training in one or more additional specialised areas of practice including children and young people; Masters Degree.

Skills and knowledge

Essential

• Understanding of integrated governance and management of clinical and non-clinical risks.
• Open and facilitative leadership style adaptable to ensure delivery of objectives.
• Ability to communicate complex information with staff, service users, carers and stakeholders.
• Good project management skills and ability to deliver tasks within timescales and budgets.
• Resilient, self-motivated with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Experience

Essential

• Experience as a senior clinician in a relevant clinical setting.
• Experience of managing complex cases within mental health or social care.
• Extensive clinical experience within the speciality or pathway.
• Experience using outcome measures to evaluate impact.
• Risk assessment and risk management experience.
• Experience across professional/organisational boundaries.
• Experience exercising full clinical responsibility for patient care and treatment.
• Experience in teaching, training and supervision, including supervision of less experienced practitioners.
• Experience in service evaluation and research; ability to use complex psychological assessment and management methods.
• Strong communication skills with patients, families, carers and professionals inside and outside the NHS.

Desirable

• Knowledge of specialist therapies in Children and Young People within a stepped care model; extensive knowledge of evidence-based psychological therapies across modalities; understanding of CYP Crisis Services.

Other information

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, sponsorship details, UK registration requirements and other statutory information are provided as part of the standard application process. Copies of relevant policies and guidance are available via the Trust website.

Employer details: Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Carol Kendrick Centre, Stratus House, Southmoor Road, Wythenshawe, Manchester, M23 9XD. Website: https://mft.nhs.uk/careers/