Matron

The Methodist Church in Britain; South Shields; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional supervision

Mentoring program

Clinical supervision

Job summary

The Chichester Centre, a low secure forensic mental health unit, is seeking a Clinical Matron to lead clinical governance and professional nursing across the service. You will oversee infection control, safeguarding and patient experience, while line managing a Clinical Nurse Specialist and driving evidence-based practice.

Role requires registration as a mental health or learning disability nurse, degree-level education, and post-qualification study to master's level.

Qualifications

• Registration with NMC in good standing as a mental health or learning disability nurse.
• Degree-level education with post-qualification development to master's level.
• Completed mentorship or ENB-equivalent training.

Responsibilities

• Lead clinical governance and infection control across nursing teams.
• Provide expert leadership to nurses and healthcare support workers.
• Put patients and carers at the heart of care through co-production.
• Promote evidence-based practice and lead clinical audits.
• Respond to incidents and maintain a safe, least restrictive environment.
• Line manage the Clinical Nurse Specialist and develop future leaders.
• Act as professional lead for nursing staff and ensure policy compliance.
• Deliver strategic and professional nursing leadership aligned with Trust strategy.

Skills

Clinical governance

Infection control

Safeguarding

Nursing leadership

Data analysis

Education

Registered mental health nurse

Degree-level education

Masters-level study

Mentorship course

Job description

Clinical Matron post at The Chichester Centre, a low secure forensic mental health unit run by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. The role leads clinical governance, infection control, safeguarding and patient experience across nurses, nursing associates and healthcare support workers. Day-to-day operations sit with a Service Manager, leaving the postholder free to focus on clinical and professional leadership and to line manage a Clinical Nurse Specialist. Registration as a mental health or learning disability nurse, with degree-level education, is essential.

What the job involves

• Lead clinical governance, including infection control and safeguarding, using data and patient feedback to improve safe, evidence-based care
• Provide expert leadership to nurses, nurse associates and healthcare support workers, developing their skills and a learning culture
• Put patients' and carers' voices at the heart of care through co-production and responses to feedback, improving privacy, dignity and experience
• Promote evidence-based practice, lead clinical audits, support research and encourage innovation and continuous improvement
• Respond to clinical incidents and crises, and complete PMVA training to maintain a safe, therapeutic, least restrictive environment
• Line manage a Clinical Nurse Specialist and help develop future nursing leaders
• Act as professional lead for all nurses, nurse associates and healthcare support workers in the area, with lead accountability for agreed objectives including patient experience
• Ensure delivery of safe, effective, person-centred care in line with Trust strategy and national guidance, aiming to reduce health inequalities
• Lead the development and delivery of specialist training, education and development for nursing staff
• Ensure the NMC code of conduct is followed and that nurses under their leadership comply with its requirements
• Provide strategic, professional and clinical nursing leadership across the services or areas set by the Chief Nursing Officer and division
• Model compassionate, person-centred care and advocate for patients and staff

What’s required

Qualifications

• Registered mental health or learning disability nurse
• Degree-level education or equivalent
• Post-qualification study to Master's level or equivalent
• Completed mentorship course or ENB equivalent

Registration & licences

• Maintained NMC registration

Experience

• Extensive experience as a ward manager or equivalent in the community
• Extensive previous experience in the relevant setting
• Experience working with people with serious mental health problems or learning disability
• Experience of staff management and supervision
• Experience of performance management
• Experience of risk assessment and management

Skills & knowledge

• Working knowledge of health and social care governance
• Demonstrated collaborative working with the multidisciplinary team and other services
• Working knowledge of the 2025 (Amended) Mental Health Act, Mental Health Act 2007, Mental Capacity Act 2005, Care Programme Approach, safeguarding adults and children, and other relevant legislation and government…

Other

• Demonstrated personal development

What’s offered

• Professional supervision and mentoring from the Head of Nursing
• Clinical supervision from Nurse Consultant John Canning
• Strong emphasis on own professional development