At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead community mental health services and drive performance improvements for better outcomes.
- Company: East Ayrshire Council, committed to modernising social care and NHS services.
- Benefits: Flexible working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Full-time permanent role with excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in mental health while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in mental health services and strong leadership abilities required.
The predicted salary is between 56276 - 63585 £ per year.
To manage community mental health services ensuring the effective management of a defined Community team/s. Supporting the Senior Manager in the setting of standards and performance improvements and the achievement of agreed outcomes in order to assist with the promotion, delivery and integration of the Partnership’s key objectives; specifically in relation to the Community Plan, Shared Commitments, Single Outcome Agreement and Best Value.
To lead and direct teams across community mental health services in East Ayrshire ensuring the implementation of standards and performance improvements in order to meet agreed outcomes that support the modernising of Social Care and NHS Community Services, Best Value, Performance Agendas and the National Quality Strategies.
To lead the effective and timeous implementation of relevant legislation, national guidance or policy and inform the Senior Manager on any implications to the performance of community mental health services or functions.
To develop and effectively manage the implementation of professional community mental health services that deliver effective assessment of risks and needs and subsequently identify preventative work, that where required, delivers interventions to support a diverse range of crisis situations.
To manage a co-ordinated approach to the work of community mental health services by fostering excellent working relationships across the Health and Social Care Partnership ensuring effective protocols are in place to promote and implement partnership and multi-disciplinary working as appropriate.
To contribute to wider Service agendas while maintaining productive and co-operative working relationships with Elected Members, NHS Non Executives, Heads of Service, senior officers and stakeholders across partner organisations.
The duties of the post involve Regulated Work with children and/or protected adults, as specified in the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007. Successful applicants for such posts will be required to become a Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme member in respect of Regulated Work with either or both of these groups as appropriate, or if they are already a Scheme member, be subject to a PVG Scheme Record Update, before any formal offer of employment can be made by East Ayrshire Council.
Please note: PVG members' records are constantly updated with any new vetting information that arises. Any information that is disclosed on a PVG Scheme Record or Scheme Record Update, if relevant to the post being applied for, will be discussed with the applicant prior to any formal offer of employment being made.
We follow the national guidance in relation to pre-employment checks namely “Safer Recruitment Through Better Recruitment.” With regards to requests for references and in line with this guidance, during your application process you should provide details of a minimum of two appropriate and relevant references, one of which should be from your current or most recent employer. It is also a requirement that the reference from your current or most recent employer is from an appropriate senior manager and it is not a reference from a former peer operating at the same level.
This is a full time permanent post based within Adult Community Mental Health Service. The workstyle for this post is ‘Flexible’ - 50% -79% of your time in an office location/ multiple work locations. You will work at your administrative base or another agreed office location between 2.5 to 4 days per week and only occasionally from home. The admin base for this post is the Johnnie Walker Bond, Kilmarnock.
Stage One – Longleet – This will take place week commencing 24th August 2026. This stage will consider the criteria set out in the person specification for qualifications and experience.
Stage Two – Assessment Centre – This will take place week commencing 31st August 2026. Only those whose evidence meets the highest standard expected for this role across all essential selection criteria will be shortlisted for attendance at the assessment centre.
Stage Three – Shortleet – This will take place week commencing 07th September 2026. This stage will consider the results of the Assessment Centre with candidates who are successful in the assessment process being invited to the final stage.
Stage Four – Final Interview and Presentation – This will take place week commencing 14th September 2026. This stage will involve a panel interview and a presentation designed to assess your experience and leadership behaviours.
The successful candidate will have the option of being appointed on either East Ayrshire Council or NHS Ayrshire & Arran terms and conditions.
- EAC 35hrs per week Annual Salary - £63,391 - £68,286
- NHS 37.5hrs per week Annual Salary - Band 8a £65,125 to £70,303
If you require further information please contact Mairi Gribben, Senior Manager at mairi.gribben@aapct.scot.nhs.uk.
If you apply for this post, please add the following email address to your safe sender list to ensure that any MyJobScotland related e-mails go directly to your inbox - noreply@myjobscotland.gov.uk.
Service Manager - Adult Community Mental Health Service - EAY12733 in Kilmarnock employer: East Ayrshire Council
East Ayrshire Council is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where you can make a meaningful impact on justice services in the community. With a strong focus on collaboration and professional development, employees benefit from comprehensive training opportunities and a supportive culture that values innovation and strategic thinking. Working in East Ayrshire not only provides a chance to contribute to vital social services but also allows for a fulfilling career within a dedicated team committed to achieving the council's key strategic aims.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager - Adult Community Mental Health Service - EAY12733 in Kilmarnock
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at East Ayrshire Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from East Ayrshire Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like East Ayrshire Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at East Ayrshire Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Service Manager - Adult Community Mental Health Service - EAY12733 in Kilmarnock
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to East Ayrshire Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to East Ayrshire Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at East Ayrshire Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
