Head of AHP - Neonates, Children & Young People | Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent NHS Trust in the UK is looking for a Head of AHPs for its Children’s & Young People’s services. This leadership role is essential for developing the AHP strategy, ensuring quality, safety, and workforce development. Ideal candidates will have significant senior leadership experience in AHP services, strong partnership-building skills, and a commitment to inclusion. The position offers the chance to shape the future of services in a respected children’s hospital environment.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of workforce and service development.
• Desirable experience in CYP services.

Responsibilities

• Provide visible, senior leadership for AHP services across CYP.
• Support the Associate Director of AHPs to develop and deliver the CYP AHP strategy.
• Lead AHP input into the annual business planning cycle.
• Take responsibility for professional standards, quality, and safety of AHP practice.
• Drive CYP workforce planning, education and talent development.

Skills

Significant senior leadership experience within AHP services

Excellent partnership-building and communication skills

Ability to inspire, lead and influence across multiple levels

Commitment to quality, safety, staff wellbeing and inclusion

Job description

Overview

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is implementing a new Clinical Group structure, creating opportunities within our Children’s & Young People’s (CYP) Services, including the introduction of a Head of AHP (Band 8c) and a Lead AHP (Band 8b). These posts form part of a new CYP AHP leadership team, working with professional AHP leads and the wider Divisional AHP leadership team to ensure our services are safe, effective, compassionate and forward-looking.

Our CYP AHP Service has a strong track record, with excellent results in the NHS Staff Survey and recognition for innovative approaches to flexible working. These leadership roles offer an exciting opportunity to influence and shape the future of CYP AHP services across one of the UK’s largest and most respected children’s hospitals.

Head of AHPs – CYP Services

• Provide visible, senior leadership for AHP services across CYP.


• Support the Associate Director of AHPs to develop and deliver the CYP AHP strategy, ensuring children’s services are represented in divisional and Trust-wide plans.


• Lead AHP input into the annual business planning cycle, ensuring CYP AHP perspectives are integral to service priorities.


• Take responsibility for professional standards, quality, and safety of AHP practice.


• Drive CYP workforce planning, education and talent development.


• Represent CYP AHPs at senior Trust and system-level forums.

Together, the CYP Head AHP, Lead AHP and Professional Leads will form the senior AHP leadership team for the CYP Care Service, working in close partnership with the Divisional AHP Leadership Team. Collectively, this team will set the vision for CYP AHP services, champion innovation and workforce development, and ensure our patients and families receive the very best care.

Person Specification

• Significant senior leadership experience within AHP services (CYP experience desirable).


• A proven track record of workforce and service development.


• Excellent partnership-building and communication skills.


• The ability to inspire, lead and influence across multiple levels.


• A strong commitment to quality, safety, staff wellbeing and inclusion.

MFT is one of the largest NHS Trusts in England with a turnover of over £3bn and operates on a scale that supports an exceptional integrated health and social care system for the 1 million patients who rely on our services each year.

About MFT

Bringing together 10 hospitals and community services from across Manchester, Trafford and beyond, we champion collaborative working and transformation, encouraging our 30,000-strong workforce to pursue ambitious goals. We set standards that other Trusts seek to emulate, providing a scale of opportunity that is extraordinary.

We have created a digitally enabled organisation to improve clinical quality, patient and staff experience, operational effectiveness, and drive research and innovation through Hive, our Electronic Patient Record system launched in September 2022. We are a major academic Research Centre & Education provider, and we are embarking on our Green Plan to make healthcare more sustainable.

Equal Opportunities and Diversity

At MFT, we foster inclusion and belonging, provide equal opportunities for career development, and are committed to safeguarding health and wellbeing. Diversity is valued, and we encourage applicants from all backgrounds. If you have special requirements to help with your application, please email [e-mail].

How to Apply

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need, view the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the “Supporting Documents” heading. Please also read the Candidate Essentials Guide alongside the Job Description and Person Specification. The guide provides details about the Trust, our benefits, and how we care for you as you care for others, including important information to consider before submitting an application.

Application Closing Date

This advert closes on Wednesday 1 Oct 2025.