Deputy Ward manager

Transformation Unit; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

North London NHS Foundation Trust (NLFT) is seeking a Deputy Ward Manager (NHS AfC Band 6) for the Inpatient Unit at HMP Pentonville, London. The post involves deputising for the Ward Manager, leading a multidisciplinary team and delivering high-quality, person-centred care.

You will supervise nursing staff and support junior colleagues, coordinate comprehensive assessments and develop individualized care plans, while maintaining professional standards and documenting care in line with the NMC

Qualifications

• Registered Mental Health Nurse (NMC registration) with post-basic study evidence.
• Experience supporting operational management of a ward or clinical area.

Responsibilities

• Support the Ward Manager in operational management and deputise as required.
• Provide leadership, supervision and development for nursing staff and healthcare support workers.
• Contribute to high-quality, person-centred care through assessment, care planning, risk management and evaluation.
• Work with the MDT to ensure safe, effective, recovery-focused care.
• Administer medication in line with the NMC Code and Trust policies.
• Maintain accurate documentation and care plans and promote patient rights and advocacy.
• Participate in quality improvement, audits and service development.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Staff supervision

Autonomous practice

Discharge planning

Education

Registered Mental Health Nurse (NMC)

Job description

Main area Specialist service mental health in prison. Grade NHS AfC: Band 6 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (mixed shifts over 4 days plus night shifts.) Job ref 455-NLFT-8099142

Employer North London NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site HMP Pentonville prisom Town London Salary £47,951 - £56,863 per annum including inner London HCAS rate Salary period Yearly Closing 28/10/2026 23:59

Deputy Ward manager

NHS AfC: Band 6

Thank you for your interest in North London NHS Foundation Trust (NLFT).

As of 1 April 2026, NLFT has formally merged with Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust—marking the start of an exciting new chapter. This is a unique opportunity to join a forward-thinking organisation at a time of transformation, where we are strengthening access to mental health services, responding more effectively to complex and specialist needs, and advancing our work in education, research and innovation.

By bringing together our combined expertise, we are building a stronger, more collaborative Trust—one that delivers consistent, high-quality care and improved outcomes for the diverse communities we serve.

At the heart of our approach is The North London Way.

• Working collaboratively at every level, guided by our shared values
• Shaping a positive, inclusive culture where staff and service users thrive
• Empowering our teams with the skills, tools and autonomy to drive meaningful change
• Delivering excellence and continuously improving the quality of care we provide
• Embedding research, innovation and technology across our services
• Taking a trauma-informed approach in everything we do

We are proud to be an inclusive employer that values diversity. We actively welcome applicants from all backgrounds, particularly from our local communities, and are committed to creating opportunities for everyone—including apprentices, veterans and care leavers.

The North London Way to deliver: Better Mental Health, Better Lives, Better Communities.

As a values‑driven Trust, we recruit through our values. Our selection processes focus on behaviours, attitudes, and examples that reflect our organisational values and commitment to compassionate, high‑quality care.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a set of technology that can perform various tasks that typically required human intelligence. Your application is your opportunity to demonstrate to us how you meet the requirements of the role.

We recognise that AI tools can support accessibility, equity and confidence for applicants. However, it’s important that examples and responses genuinely reflect your own experience and abilities, as these will be explored further during the selection process. AI must not be used to provide misleading or false information during any stage of the application journey.

North London NHS Foundation Trust is committed to ensuring that its recruitment processes are carried out with integrity, transparency, and fairness for all applicants. To help maintain these standards, we ask candidates to provide accurate and truthful information throughout the recruitment process.

If incorrect or misleading information is identified, this may affect the progression of an application, any employment offer, or continued employment. As part of our due diligence, the company may verify the information provided by applicants and take appropriate act ion where necessary.

We do not charge applicants any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including applications, interviews, sponsorship arrangements, pre‑employment checks, or employment offers. All vacancies are advertised through TRAC/NHS Jobs and candidates are assessed solely on their skills, qualifications, experience, and suitability for the role. If you are asked to make a payment in connection with an NHS job opportunity, please treat this as suspicious and contact the organisation directly using the details published on our official career's website.

This post is based within the Inpatient Unit at HMP Pentonville, which forms an integral part of the prison's healthcare provision. The unit comprises 22 beds and provides care for individuals experiencing both mental and physical health needs. Clinical leadership is provided by Consultant Psychiatrists and General Practitioners, with support from a multidisciplinary team that includes nursing staff and prison officers.

• The post holder will work closely with, and deputise for, the Ward Manager in their absence.
• They will be an active member of the multidisciplinary team, providing clinical leadership and supporting the delivery of high-quality patient care.
• The role includes supervising, teaching, and supporting junior nursing staff and Healthcare Assistants in the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of care.
• Working autonomously and in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team, the post holder will be responsible for coordinating comprehensive assessments and developing, implementing, and reviewing individualised care plans to meet patients' identified needs.

Main duties of the job

• Support the Ward Manager in the operational management of the ward and deputise in their absence as required.
• Provide leadership, supervision and support to nursing staff, healthcare support workers and students.
• Contribute to the delivery of high-quality, person‑centred care through assessment, care planning, risk management and evaluation.
• Work collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team to ensure safe, effective and recovery‑focused care.
• Administer medication in accordance with the NMC Code, Trust policies and relevant legislation.
• Maintain high standards of clinical practice, ensuring accurate documentation, risk assessments and care plans are completed and reviewed.
• Promote patient rights, dignity and advocacy, ensuring patients are actively involved in decisions about their care.
• Participate in quality improvement, clinical audit and service development activities.
• Ensure a safe ward environment through effective management of equipment, resources and clinical risks.
• Support the induction, appraisal, supervision and development of staff, fostering a positive learning culture.
• Maintain professional accountability in line with the NMC Code and comply with all Trust policies and statutory requirements.
• Maintain up-to-date professional knowledge, NMC registration and continuing professional development.

Working for our organisation

North London NHS Foundation Trust (NLFT) is committed to improving mental health care across North London to deliver excellent services to our local people.

• We will provide consistently high-quality care closer to home.
• With our partners in North London and each borough we will ensure equity of outcome for all
• We will offer great places to work, providing staff with supportive environment to deliver outstanding care.
• We will be more effective as an organisation by pioneering research, quality improvement and technology.

Why NLFT?

• We develop and retain our staff through leadership behaviours and managers programme and many more opportunities.
• We promote flexible working and support staff with a range of health and wellbeing initiatives.
• NHS Discounts, generous annual leave and NHS pension scheme
• Excellent internal staff network

In order to meet the needs of the Trust you may be required from time to time to work at different locations to your normal place of work. This may mean that you are required to work at any location that fall under Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey or Islington. The Trust reserves the right to require staff to work at such other places or locations as it considers reasonable and necessary on a temporary or permanent basis.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Work as an effective member of the multidisciplinary team (MDT), contributing to the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of person‑centred care for patients and supporting the involvement of carers where appropriate.

Undertake comprehensive clinical assessments and develop, implement and review care plans that reflect patients' individual needs, strengths, risks and recovery goals.

Interpret and respond appropriately to clinical observations and assessment findings, exercising sound clinical judgement and communicating relevant information promptly to members of the multidisciplinary team.

Identify nursing priorities and coordinate care accordingly, undertaking comprehensive risk assessments and escalating concerns to the Ward Manager and relevant professionals when changes in circumstances may affect patient safety or standards of care.

Meet the physical, psychological, social, cultural and spiritual needs of patients, ensuring care is delivered in a holistic, compassionate and recovery‑focused manner.

Recognise the needs of families and carers, promoting their involvement in care planning and delivery, where appropriate, while providing support, education and information.

Ensure respect for patients' dignity, diversity, equality, human rights, personal values and spiritual beliefs at all times.

Maintain and promote high standards of nursing care, contributing to clinical audits, quality improvement initiatives and the development and review of clinical standards within the ward.

Liaise effectively with healthcare professionals, specialist services and partner agencies to ensure coordinated and seamless care delivery.

Utilise clinical knowledge and experience to provide education and support to patients, promoting understanding of mental and physical health conditions, treatment options, coping strategies, recovery and independence.

This is not an exhaustive list, please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for more information on the role requirements and duties.

Person specification

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Registered Mental Health Nurse (Part 3 or Part 13 of NMC register) and evidence of post‑basic study
• Experience of supporting the operational management of a ward or clinical area, including the effective use of resources and undertaking delegated management responsibilities.

Skills & Abilities

• Experience of leading or participating in clinical audits, quality improvement initiatives and service development activities.
• Experience of supervising, supporting and developing nursing and healthcare support staff, including participation in induction, appraisal, clinical supervision and performance management processes.
• Ability to plan and organise a range of complex clinical activities which require judgments to be made on competing factors
• Ability to work independently and autonomously
• Experience of working collaboratively with external agencies and multidisciplinary teams to support continuity of care and effective discharge planning.

Post Qualification Study

• Preceptorship/ Mentorship or working towards it

In line with NHS protocols, only those applicants who demonstrate clearly how they meet our person specification will be shortlisted for interview. We regret that it is not possible to contact all applicants for every vacancy. If you have not been contacted within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume you have not been shortlisted for the next stage.

You must already have the right to work in the United Kingdom or fully meet the eligibility criteria for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route. We welcome applications from candidates who require visa sponsorship; however, we can only consider these where all UKVI requirements are met. Before applying, please ensure that both you and the role satisfy the relevant UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) points‑based system criteria, as applications that do not meet these requirements cannot be progressed. For more information about the criteria, please click here

References will be required to cover your last 3 years of employment/training. One has to be from your current or most recent employer and the others from your previous employer. The references should be from persons with management responsibility or HR.

Please note, in order to progress your application your data will be processed by our 3rd party recruitment providers – North London Partners Shared Service, who conduct recruitment activities on behalf of North London NHS Foundation Trust. As part of pre‑employment checks your identity and right to work documentation will be verified remotely (in most circumstances), using a certified identity verification service provider TrustID. You will be asked to capture an image of the relevant documents as well as a "selfie" using your smartphone/tablet (if available) for facial matching. TrustID will also perform a digital address check using Trunarrative and Equifax, which is a soft check and does not leave a footprint on your credit rating. For more information, visit www.trustid.co.uk

The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.

We are an equal opportunities employer and are committed to creating an inclusive, fair, and supportive workplace for all. We actively welcome applications from individuals who are under‑represented within our workforce and are dedicated to eliminating discrimination in all its forms.

As a Disability Confident (Two Ticks) employer, we guarantee an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role and are committed to making reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

By applying for this role, you accept in the event you are successful that your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which is aimed at improving efficiencies within the NHS both to make costs savings for NHS organisations but also to save you time when your employment transfers.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.