Head of Vulnerable Adults & Complex Pathways

The Methodist Church in Britain; Bournemouth; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a senior leader to head the Mental Health Directorate within the Medical Care Group. The post provides strategic and operational leadership for vulnerable adults, mental health and complex care pathways, with accountability for safeguarding, MCA practice and delivery of the Trust's mental health strategy.

You will lead partnership work across the Integrated Care System, working with local authorities and voluntary sector, and align

Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent experience in healthcare, social care, leadership, management or a related field.
• Relevant professional registration as RN/RMN (NMC), HCPC or Social Work England, or equivalent recognised body.
• Significant senior leadership experience in health, social care, safeguarding or complex care services.
• Proven track record of service transformation, quality improvement and partnership working.
• Experience of operational management, workforce planning and budget management.
• Experience of partnership working across organisational boundaries.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for vulnerable adults, mental health and complex care pathways across the Trust.
• Lead the strategic direction and policy setting for vulnerable adults, including mental health services.
• Lead the Mental Health Directorate within the Medical Care Group.
• Drive service transformation and support delivery of the Trust Mental Health Strategy.
• Be accountable for safe, effective and responsive services aligned to Trust priorities, CQC standards and system objectives.
• Provide senior leadership for safeguarding and MCA practice, with assurance to the Trust Board and external regulators.
• Provide clinical leadership for nursing and AHP teams, promoting evidence-based practice.
• Lead partnership working across the Integrated Care System with community providers, local authorities, mental health trusts and the voluntary sector.
• Contribute at place and system level to ensure seamless pathways and patient flow across acute, community and mental health services.
• Act as the communications link between nursing, medical, AHP and Health Care Scientist teams and operational teams.
• Work with Care Group triumvirate teams across surgery, medicine and specialities.
• Implement a patient-centred clinical operational strategy for patients with mental health needs.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Change management

Communication

Education

Master's degree

Job description

The post sits in the Medical Care Group at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust, where it leads the Mental Health Directorate and reports to the Group Director of Nursing. It provides strategic and operational leadership for vulnerable adults, mental health and complex care pathways, including service transformation and senior oversight of safeguarding and MCA practice. The role carries cross-system partnership work across the Integrated Care System, linking nursing, medical and allied health teams with local authority, community and voluntary partners. Applicants need a relevant professional registration and a Master's or equivalent experience.

What the job involves

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for vulnerable adults, mental health and complex care pathways across the Trust
• Lead the strategic direction and policy setting for vulnerable adults, including mental health services
• Lead the Mental Health Directorate within the Medical Care Group
• Drive service transformation and support delivery of the Trust Mental Health Strategy
• Be accountable for safe, effective and responsive services aligned to Trust priorities, CQC standards and system objectives
• Provide senior leadership for safeguarding and MCA practice, with assurance to the Trust Board and external regulators
• Provide clinical leadership for nursing and AHP teams, promoting evidence-based practice
• Lead partnership working across the Integrated Care System with community providers, local authorities, mental health trusts and the voluntary sector
• Contribute at place and system level to ensure seamless pathways and patient flow across acute, community and mental health services
• Act as the communications link between nursing, medical, AHP and Health Care Scientist teams and operational teams
• Work with Care Group triumvirate teams across surgery, medicine and specialities
• Implement a patient-centred clinical operational strategy for patients with mental health needs

Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent experience in healthcare, social care, leadership, management or a related field

Registration & licences

• Relevant professional registration as RN/RMN (NMC), HCPC or Social Work England, or equivalent recognised body

Experience

• Significant senior leadership experience in health, social care, safeguarding or complex care services
• Proven track record of service transformation, quality improvement and partnership working
• Experience of operational management, workforce planning and budget management
• Experience of partnership working across organisational boundaries

Skills & knowledge

• Excellent leadership, communication and influencing skills
• Highly developed communication and negotiation skills, including influencing senior stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery
• Extensive knowledge of safeguarding adults legislation and practice
• Understanding of NHS operational flow, discharge processes and reducing delayed discharges

Nice to have

• Master's degree in leadership, healthcare management, mental health, public health or equivalent
• Specialist qualification in safeguarding, mental health, learning disabilities or dementia care
• Experience of working collaboratively with local authorities, Integrated Care Systems and third-sector partners
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage complexity and drive sustainable change
• Expert knowledge of safeguarding adults legislation, policy and best practice