Deputy Ward Manager

Greater Manchester Mental Health; Trafford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Annual leave 27 days

Job summary

Greater Manchester Mental Health Foundation Trust is seeking a Deputy Ward Manager for Irwell Ward in Trafford. This full-time role supports the Ward Manager, provides clinical leadership, and delivers high-quality nursing care in a busy psychiatric unit.

You will require a minimum of 2 years post-qualification experience, be NMC registered, and supervise junior staff and students. The post offers flexible working and a commitment to trauma-informed care.

Qualifications

• NMC Registered.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Experience working in a PICU or acute mental health setting.
• Supervision of junior staff.
• Evidence of supervising students.

Responsibilities

• Support the Ward Manager in the clinical and operational running of the ward.
• Support and supervise junior staff and students.
• Implement change on the ward to improve the quality of patient care and staff wellbeing.
• Provide preceptorship for newly qualified staff.
• To act as a role model within the team continually promoting a high standard of care for all patients admitted to the ward, which is effective and responsive to the needs of service users.
• Act as bleep holder for the unit as required.

Skills

Leadership skills

Calm under pressure

Team collaboration

Education

NMC Registered

Job description

Main area Mental Health Grade NHS AfC: Band 6 Contract Permanent Hours

• Full time
• Flexible working

37.5 hours per week (Shift Work including Days, Nights, Weekends and Public Holidays) Job ref 437-8057042

Site Moorside Unit Town Manchester Salary £39,959 - £48,117 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 01/10/2026 23:59

Job overview

Please note that a minimum of 2 years post qualification experience is essential for this role- applications that do not meet this criteria will not be considered for interview.

Why Join Our Team?

Our Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) is at the forefront of a Trust-wide transformation, shaped by national experts and driven by a commitment to excellence. We're building a service that sets the standard for high-quality, trauma-informed psychiatric care across the UK. An opportunity has arisen in Trafford on Irwell ward for a full time Deputy Ward Manager post.

Join us and become part of a skilled, compassionate multidisciplinary team working in a modernised, safe, and therapeutic environment — where innovation meets impact.

You’re someone who:

• Brings a genuine passion for supporting individuals with complex mental health needs
• Can remain calm, focused, and safe in high-pressure or challenging situations
• Values continuous learning and thrives in a collaborative team setting
• Demonstrates empathy, respect, and emotional resilience

You will assist the Ward Manager in providing Leadership and Operational Management to the Ward ensuring the provision of quality nursing care to all service users on the ward/department. The post holder will assess, plan and implement care, and provide specialist nursing advice. You will provide clinical and managerial leadership and supervision to junior staff.

Main duties of the job

• Support the Ward Manager in the clinical and operational running of the ward
• Support and supervise junior staff and students
• Implement change on the ward to improve the quality of patient care and staff wellbeing
• Provide preceptorship for newly qualified staff
• To act as a role model within the team continually promoting a high
  standard of care for all patients admitted to the ward, which is
  effective and responsive to the needs of service users.
• Act as bleep holder for the unit as required.

Working for our organisation

Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 122 locations.

We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.

Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.

Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.

Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached job description and person specification

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years

Education and Experience

• NMC Registered
• Strong leadership skills
• Experience working in a PICU or acute mental health settings
• Supervision of junior staff
• Evidence of supervising students

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Sound knowledge of the Mental Health Act
• Effective leadership, appropriate delegation and strong decision-making skills
• Participation in Quality Improvements
• Planning off-duty
• ILS Trained

Important Information about working for GMMH:
All positions within the Trust are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, for further information on the checks required please visit the NHS Employers website www.nhsemployers.org

The Trust mandates all post holders who require a DBS for their role to subscribe to the DBS Update Service. You will be required to enrol for this service for a fee of £16 per year and maintain registration throughout your employment with GMMH.

Applicants are encouraged to apply for posts at Greater Manchester Mental Health who have direct experience of mental health, learning disability or drug and alcohol services either as a service user or a carer.

The Trust is also committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We are aspiring to ensure our workforce is representative of the diverse communities that we serve, and we are strongly committed to removing barriers to employment for candidates from under-represented groups, for example BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ communities. If you would like to have an informal chat about the recruitment process for this role or would value some additional support, we’d love to hear from you.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) when writing job applications

A candidate may utilise the help of AI when writing job application.The assessment of an application is made on its entirety and most times AI-generated content does not fully grasp the context and requirements of the job one applies for thus producing inaccurate and misleading information, especially in the supporting statement section of an application that can lack real life examples of one’s achievements, success and challenges.

We have added a disclaimer to our application process advising that the use of AI is monitored. GMMH reserves the right to follow up with a candidate at the interview on specific responses and those examples used in the supporting statement to explore it further.

Sponsorship

We are proud to be an approved sponsor for the Skilled Worker visa. Applications from individuals who require sponsorship will be considered alongside all other applications. Please be aware that not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible roles and salary requirements on the UK Government’s website – click here .

If you are offered a role with us and you require sponsorship, we will check your eligibility in line with the information on the above website. Your offer of employment could be withdrawn if the role is not eligible for sponsorship, and you are not otherwise able to evidence your right to work in the UK.

The Home Office introduces new changes from 22/07/2025 that impact the health and care sector, you may wish to familiarise with it here .

Do you have experience outside the NHS?

We want to attract and retain people with diverse skills and experience, to deliver inclusive healthcare services to our communities.

We will consider relevant experience outside the NHS to calculate your salary on appointment. Please contact our Recruitment Team for more information.

**Please note, this vacancy may be closed at any time if sufficient applications have been received**

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.

As a service user, relative or carer using our services, sometimes you may need to turn to someone for help, advice, and support.