Senior Cluster Manager * Internal MPT Only *

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. If it is identified that you require sponsorship to undertake this role your application may be withdrawn.

Are you a Band 7 Registered Mental Health Practitioner ready to take the next step in your career—but not quite ready to leave the security of your current role? This is a fantastic opportunity to dip your toe in the water and gain valuable senior leadership experience, all without risk to your substantive post. We're offering a temporary position as Senior Cluster Manager, overseeing services across HM Prisons Drake Hall, Stoke Heath, and Dovegate. In this role, you'll work alongside a group of highly experienced and supportive colleagues who are committed to helping you grow, develop, and succeed. This is a unique chance to build your confidence, expand your leadership skills, and explore the next stage of your career in a supportive environment. The role is initially available for 4 months. If this opportunity sparks your interest, or you'd simply like an informal conversation to find out more, please get in touch with Helen Broad. Closing date for expressions of interest 14/05/26.

Main duties of the job

• The ideal candidate will have significant experience in managing and leading Mental Health/Substance Misuse services.
• Experience or interest in working in Prison or Forensic services would be advantageous but not essential.
• Management and leadership of interventions for those experiencing acute and severe mental illness is a significant part of this role.
• A mental health professional registration is required as is a comprehensive working knowledge of the Mental Health Act in relation to those people serving prison sentences that require transfer to hospital.

Job responsibilities

• Ensure the efficient use of human resources ensuring safe levels of staffing, which reflect the necessary and appropriate skill mix across the team as identified by senior managers.
• Responsibility for the operational and clinical management of the prisons in their cluster.
• Line management of the Team managers.
• Lead on recruitment, selection and interviewing staff and support local managers undertake the induction of new staff.
• Be responsible for the development of effective training plans and lead on team building.
• Promote an open, honest, supportive, forward and outward looking working environment, facilitating new ideas, suggestions or debate in relation to the service requirements.
• Provide formal, on-going clinical supervision and caseload management supervision.
• Attend Inclusion and external meetings when requested.

Person Specification

• Professional Qualification in Mental Health Nursing, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Psychology and/or significant experience of managing services in Mental Health, Substance Misuse or Prisons with a Leadership Qualification.
• Extensive experience of working with service users with Mental Health/Substance misuse needs.
• Extensive experience of managing a related service and delivering a high quality service which delivers on outcomes.
• Providing effective supervision and line management of staff.
• Experience of working in a prison setting.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£57,528 to £64,750 a year Per annum, pro rata.