Head of Service

Harmonia Careers; Swindon; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A health services organization in Swindon is seeking an experienced Head of Service to lead mental health services for children and young people. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills, with a focus on collaboration and improving wellbeing outcomes. Responsibilities include overseeing service delivery, engaging with stakeholders, and ensuring high-quality standards. This part-time role offers an opportunity to make a significant impact in the community.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years post-qualification experience in mental health.
• Experience in evolving and developing services.
• Evidence of post-registration training is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of the Emotional Wellbeing Early Support Service.
• Drive a co-produced, outcomes-based model.
• Ensure high-quality contract performance and budget management.
• Oversee staff supervision and training.
• Collaborate with partners for integrated pathways.

Skills

Leadership

Mental Health expertise

Project Management

Collaboration

Emotional Intelligence

Education

Mental Health or equivalent professional health qualification

Management qualification (desirable)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Client management systems

Job description

Overview

This post is for an experienced clinician Head of Service/Service Manager. The services covered within this role are: Children and Young Peoples Single Point of Access, Mental Health Support Teams in Schools, and our Community Team & CYP Haven Service, each with their own leadership structure to support.

We are looking for someone personable, innovative and experienced in leading change throughout services. We seek a competent, emotionally intelligent leader who can engage teams and keep our families at the centre of all decision making. The Service Manager will have responsibility for providing the clinical oversight and integrity of the Children and Young Peoples Single Point of Access and oversight of all other service functions. Working as part of the senior leadership team in CYP Emotional Wellbeing Early Support Service, including their clinical and operational leads, they will be responsible and accountable for effective service line management, operational delivery, workforce, quality and safety for their teams.

This is a dynamic leadership role requiring collaboration, innovation, and a clear vision to improve the wellbeing of children, young people, and families across Swindon.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of the Emotional Wellbeing Early Support Service, building strong partnerships with CAMHS, commissioners, and local stakeholders to ensure timely, integrated support for children and young people.
• Drive a co-produced, outcomes-based model, continually adapting services to meet local needs while achieving and exceeding KPIs.
• Ensure high-quality contract performance, effective reporting, budget management, and hold Team Leads accountable for service standards.
• Oversee staff supervision, training, and caseload management to ensure evidence-based, outcome-focused interventions.
• Use performance data to inform service improvements, manage capacity and demand, and maintain access times.
• Support therapeutic activity development, safeguard quality of care, and provide on-call support as part of a rota.
• Collaborate with partners to ensure appropriate and timely interventions are offered to CYP, maintaining partnership with CAMHs through regular interface meetings.
• Lead and work in Partnership with CAMHs and other strategic partners to ensure integrated pathways.
• Manage staff performance, address poor performance, and ensure staff have access to line management and clinical supervision.
• Identify opportunities for service redesign and efficiency improvements based on data analysis.
• Ensure staff keep up to date with clinical knowledge and skills and maintain manageable caseloads.
• Ensure services meet key performance indicators and internal and external targets, identifying risks and mitigation actions.
• Provide on-call support (evenings and weekends) as part of a rota.
• Any other duties to support service development and quality of care for CYP.

Experience, Skills & Competencies

• An experienced senior leader, with experience in a mental health environment, managing complex multi-component services.
• A positive and proactive leader who can motivate, engage and support delivery teams to achieve high standards and outcomes.
• A strategic thinker able to foresee issues and opportunities and act accordingly.
• Skilled in project management with experience using tools and processes to set goals, manage schedules, anticipate issues, remove obstacles, assign responsibilities, track progress, and report on progress.
• Able to build strong relationships fostering trust and cooperation among colleagues, stakeholders, community leaders, commissioners and subcontractors; knowledge of emotional wellbeing needs in children and young people.
• Experience in CAMHS and in-depth knowledge of CYP mental health pathways.
• Strong understanding of the local support landscape or willingness to rapidly develop this knowledge.
• Experience in evolving and developing services within a complex health system in a co-produced way.
• Proficiency with digital systems, including client management systems and Microsoft Office.
• Passionate about improving Children and Young People emotional wellbeing; ambitious and highly motivated and looking for a role with responsibility.
• Interviews for this role are scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 15th October.

Experience & Qualifications

• Essential: Mental Health or equivalent professional health qualification (e.g., Allied Health Professional, Senior RMN, Nurse, Clinical Psychologist, Psychotherapist); minimum of 2 years post-qualification experience.
• Desirable: Evidence of post-registration training; Management qualification.

Disclosures

Please note that we are not able to offer sponsorship for this role.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a Disclosure to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer: ABL Health Ltd

Be U Swindon, 6 Darby Close, Nexus Business Centre, Cheney Manor, Swindon, SN2 2PN

Employer's website: https://www.ablhealth.co.uk/work-for-us/join-our-team/ (Opens in a new tab)

Seniority level

• Director

Employment type

• Part-time

Job function

• Management and Manufacturing

Industries

• Information Services