Lead Allied Health Professional

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust; Wimbledon; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS pension scheme

Flexible working options

Generous annual leave

Career development focus

Blue Light Card & NHS perks

Job summary

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust seeks an inspirational Lead Allied Health Professional to provide professional leadership across Mental Health Inpatient and Urgent Care Services. The role emphasizes strategic service development, workforce planning, and high-quality, evidence-based care.

You will support AHP colleagues, provide expert guidance on workforce requirements and staffing, and champion professional standards while collaborating with senior leaders and service managers to enhance patient

Qualifications

• Proven leadership of multidisciplinary teams in mental health.
• Experience shaping service development and workforce planning.
• Ability to influence policy and practice at multiple levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead workforce development and clinical governance for AHP staff in Mental Health Inpatient and Urgent Care.
• Drive service improvement initiatives and professional standards for AHPs.
• Contribute to strategic planning and business development; ensure AHP representation across services.
• Provide leadership, supervision, coaching, and professional support to AHP colleagues.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Workforce development

Clinical governance

Quality improvement

Coaching & mentoring

Education

HCPC registration

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of AHP practice, champion evidence-based care, and drive quality improvement. Working closely with senior leaders, service managers and the Trust's Chief AHP, you will lead workforce development, clinical governance, service improvement initiatives and professional standards for AHP staff. You will contribute to strategic planning and business development, and ensure AHP voices are represented at all levels of service delivery. You will also provide leadership, supervision, coaching and professional support to AHP colleagues across inpatient and urgent care pathways., To provide professional leadership and management for Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) within Mental Health Inpatient and Urgent Care Services, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based care and supporting the development of AHP practice in line with Trust objectives, professional standards, and national policy. To be professionally accountable for the clinical and professional standards of the AHP workforce within the service, providing expert advice and guidance on matters relating to Allied Health Professions. The post holder will act as the lead AHP representative, ensuring that AHP perspectives contribute to service planning, workforce development, clinical governance, and service improvement initiatives. To provide specialist professional advice to Heads of Service, Operational Managers, and multidisciplinary colleagues regarding AHP roles, workforce requirements, staffing establishments, skill mix, professional standards, and service delivery models, supporting the effective utilisation of AHP resources to meet service needs. To contribute to the operational and strategic development through professional leadership, quality improvement, workforce planning, education, and the implementation of national and local priorities relevant to AHP's. To provide leadership across the multidisciplinary team, promoting collaborative working, professional excellence, innovation, and a culture of continuous improvement to enhance patient outcomes, experience, and service effectiveness.

Are you an experienced Allied Health Professional ready to influence strategic service development and lead a skilled multidisciplinary workforce? We are seeking an inspirational Lead Allied Health Professional to provide professional leadership across our Mental Health Inpatient and Urgent Care Services.

We are looking for a HCPC-registered AHP with significant senior-level experience, a strong background in mental health services, proven leadership skills, and a passion for innovation, quality improvement and workforce development. Leadership and management training, evidence of ongoing professional development, and an ability to influence change are essential. If you are committed to improving outcomes, strengthening multidisciplinary working and leading the development of AHP services, we would love to hear from you.

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer, Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London. The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future. Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
• Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.