Deputy Ward Manager - Safer Staffing

Greater Manchester Mental Health; Leigh; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mental health service provider in Leigh is seeking a Deputy Ward Manager for the Westleigh Unit. The role involves overseeing a dedicated team, supporting patients with mental health challenges, and ensuring high-quality care. Candidates should have an RMN qualification and experience in mental health services. Benefits include free parking, excellent pension, and well-being programmes.

Benefits

Free parking

Staff gym access

28 days annual leave

Excellent pension

Qualifications

• Proven experience at Band 5 or equivalent in mental health.
• Evidence of knowledge of clinical risk assessment.
• Ability to implement Trust’s Equal Opportunities Policy.

Responsibilities

• Support the Ward Manager in operational management.
• Supervise junior staff and mentor new staff.
• Conduct thorough risk assessments.

Skills

Understanding of positive behavioral support

Sound clinical leadership skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Ability to manage applied clinical work

Education

RMN Professional Qualification

Preparation for Mentorship

Job description

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join The Westleigh Unit.

Westleigh Unit is one of five wards at our state of the art, purpose built Atherleigh Park Hospital in Leigh. Westleigh Unit female unit providing support to adults of working age. Westleigh Unit provides assessment, treatment and support to service users within the GM footprint who may be experiencing severe mental health difficulties for a range of illnesses such as Schizophrenia, Bi‑Polar Disorder and Depression and Anxiety.

We are looking for enthusiastic, motivated and compassionate individuals who; have a positive attitude towards mental health and promoting recovery, have an understanding of positive behavioural support, are committed to delivering person centred & trauma informed care and want to support working age adults in their recovery.

Benefits

• Free parking, staff accessible gym facilities and classes, on site cafe, pay enhancements for evenings / weekends, 27 days annual leave per annum plus bank holidays, excellent pension, cycle to work scheme, salary sacrifice car scheme, wellbeing programme, blue light card discounts.

Main duties of the job

Deputy Ward Managers at Atherleigh park are active members of the ward management team, responsible for supporting the Ward Manager in the operational management and leadership of the Ward.

As a Deputy Ward Manager, your responsibilities will be

• Up hold the values of the ward promoting openness, transparency and learning
• Supervision of junior staff
• Enthusiastic mentor to new staff, newly qualified nurses and junior staff
• Oversee certain areas of clinical expertise such as medication management and physical health provision on the ward
• Support the Ward Manager with HR tasks such as return to works and sickness monitoring
• Accurate and timely clinical documentation
• Manage shifts as a nurse in charge
• Conducting thorough assessments of risks and risk management plans to support incidents on the ward.

We are looking for an individual who is resilient, driven and passionate to provide high quality nursing care to our patients, while supporting the leadership within Atherleigh Park.

Working for our organisation

Free parking

Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7,000 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

See attached detailed job description and person specification :

Staff benefits

• Pay Enhancements – 30% additional for Evenings (8pm onwards) and Saturdays and 60% additional for Sundays and Bank holidays.
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
• Excellent pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary sacrifice car scheme
• Wellbeing programme
• Blue Light Card Discounts

Person specification

Shortlisting

Essential criteria

• RMN Professional Qualification
• Preparation for Mentorship or willingness to work towards
• Proven experience at Band 5 (or equivalent) within the same specialty with evidence of ongoing development or evidence of Continuing Professional Development
• Substantial post‑qualification experience of working with people with severe and enduring mental illness
• Evidence of applied understanding of the needs of clients and complex presentations in Mental Health in‑patient care (within specific speciality)
• Demonstrable evidence of knowledge of the clinical risk assessment
• Demonstrable evidence of knowledge of NMC Standards and Code of Conduct
• Demonstrable evidence of knowledge of change management processes in the leadership and support of large groups of staff
• Able to demonstrate knowledge of best clinical practices relevant to the area
• Knowledge of the role and function of other organisations who provide services to clients with mental health problems
• Ability to demonstrate sound clinical leadership skills in a large multi‑disciplinary team
• Be able to implement the Trust’s Equal Opportunities Policy into work settings
• Ability to translate clinical risk into care plans
• Demonstrable evidence of excellent written / verbal communication skills
• Ability to present ideas with clarity and in a persuasive and influential style
• Demonstrable ability to communicate effectively with other agencies at a variety of levels
• Demonstrable ability to provide situational management to staff and deal with conflict
• Evidence of ability to provide focused support to staff
• Demonstratively ability to maintain morale and leadership in an uncertain and changing environment
• Reliable, and committed to developing client care and nursing
• Full commitment to equal opportunities
• Demonstrable evidence of flexible approach, able to recognise signs of stress in self and others and take appropriate action
• Ability to effectively manage applied clinical work and the development of nursing practice
• Ability to gain the trust, confidence and respect of clients, carers, and staff of a variety of levels and disciplines
• To participate in the development of a culture which actively promotes the involvement of service users and carers

Desirable criteria

• Post registration clinical qualification in Mental Health eg. Acute Care, Post Registration Specialist training in
• Professional development in Clinical Leadership
• CFT Interventions Clinical Supervision training
• personal development related to clinical area / care group
• Experience of managing staff and other professionals

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.

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 .

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.