Head of Area

Harmonia Careers; England; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A mental health charity is seeking a Head of Area to enhance care and support services across Swindon and neighboring regions. This leadership role involves engaging with NHS Integrated Care Systems and Local Authorities, developing strategic partnerships, and influencing government initiatives to improve the lives of those severely impacted by mental illness. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in mental health services and strategic planning.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a leadership role within the mental health sector.
• Strong understanding of NHS Integrated Care Systems and Local Authorities.
• Ability to engage effectively with various stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of partnerships aligned with corporate strategy.
• Influence government initiatives related to mental health services.
• Coordinate support for individuals living with severe mental illness.

Skills

Partnership development

Strategic planning

Experience with mental health services

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Overview

We are looking for an experienced and passionate Head of Area to work as part of our Operations Team, covering Swindon, Wiltshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West. The successful candidate must be able to travel regularly to locations across the region and occasional national travel.

Imagine being part of an organisation whose common purpose is to help those who are severely impacted by mental illness. We believe that everyone should be treated with respect and dignity – and that equity is one of our core values. We draw on the expertise, unique perspectives and lived experience of our people – regardless of who they are or their background – to help us become an inclusive and anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider that reflects the diverse communities we support as a mental health charity.

The Services Division leads the delivery and growth of our care and support services and NHS and Local Authority partnership working, aligned with our corporate strategy. The team are responsible for ensuring services meet quality standards, contractual requirements and provide great outcomes for people we support. They ensure that in areas where we are leading or delivering partnership working that we meet any contractual requirements and develop effective governance and oversight of this area of activity, including maintaining appropriate separation between our operational service delivery and that of the Strategic Partnership & Alliances Division. The Services Division is a large and constantly growing team being commissioned to deliver care and support services through funding by Local Authorities, the NHS (local and national) and other central government initiatives.

How You Will Make a Difference
As a Head Of Area for Rethink Mental Illness, you will work as part of the London and South East Regional Services team. You’ll engage NHS Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) and Local Authorities, as well as engaging with government level strategic programmes, developing partnerships that align with our corporate strategy ‘working together to build communities that care’. You will ensure that we utilise the experience, expertise, and reputation of Rethink Mental Illness to help shape care and support services, change the way in which services are delivered through new partnerships and grow our service offer to improve the lives of people severely affected by mental illness in places we operate, and beyond.

The release of the NHS 10 Year Health Plan for England in 2025, titled ‘Fit For The Future,’ presents new opportunities to influence the government’s three major initiatives: transitioning care from hospitals to community settings, incorporating digital technology, and focusing on prevention rather than treatment. These objectives align with our Corporate Strategy and are pursued through our internal Mission Delivery Boards.

You’ll work with other people and agencies, in a joined-up way, so that people living with severe mental illness receive coordinated support. The improved outcomes we expect to see through the delivery of Communities That Care are focused on:

• Access to health and social care.
• Housing.
• Employment, education, training, and volunteering.
• Physical health.
• Social connectedness.
• Money.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion

Diversity is important to us and we appreciate difference through inclusiveness and belonging. By including everyone, we can draw on the unique experiences and expertise of our people to help shape and enrich our workplace and improve our services. We recognise and support staff networks and support groups for our ethnically diverse and LGBTQIA+ colleagues and we are proud to have been awarded Disability Confident Employer status and to be a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter.

We aim for our workforce to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and to ensure people feel heard, valued, and that they belong. We actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those with lived experience of mental illness, LGBTQIA+ colleagues, neurodiverse individuals, people with disabilities, and people from ethnically diverse backgrounds.

Becoming a truly anti-racist organisation
We have an ambition to become a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider, and we set out in our anti-racist statement. We have designed a multi-year anti-racist programme of work contained in our Race Equality Action Plan to hold ourselves accountable and be judged on progress. You can read more about our progress here.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact - [e-mail]