Deputy Ward manager

North London Mental Health Partnership; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

North London NHS Foundation Trust (NLFT) is seeking a Band 6 ward nurse to support the Inpatient Unit at HMP Pentonville, London. You will provide clinical leadership, supervise staff and work within a multidisciplinary team to deliver safe, recovery-focused care.

The post involves coordinating assessments, developing care plans, and administering medications in line with NMC guidance and Trust policies. Aiming for high-quality patient outcomes.

Qualifications

• Nurse with registered status and current NMC registration.
• Experience in inpatient mental health and prison healthcare.
• Ability to lead a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Support the Ward Manager in operational management.
• Provide leadership and supervision to nursing staff and healthcare support workers.
• Contribute to the delivery of high-quality, person-centred care through assessment, care planning, risk management and evaluation.
• Administer medication in accordance with the NMC Code and Trust policies.
• Participate in quality improvement, clinical audits and service development activities.

Skills

Ward leadership

Clinical leadership

Care planning

Team collaboration

Medication administration

Education

NMC registration

Registered Nurse

Job description

Search through our current job vacancies across the Trust below.

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

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

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. We are committed to:

• 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