Deputy Operational Lead in Aylesbury

Job summaryDo you want to take a step up into leadership in a clinical setting supporting young people with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental challenges?We are looking for a Deputy Operational Lead to join our Aylesbury based team on a. You will be joining a busy service of committed and welcoming people who strive to offer a high-quality service. You should be a motivated individual who is confident to support the operational lead in maintaining the high standards.Both teams have recently undergone significant redesign which has included a change in processes and recruitment, they have met this challenge with enthusiasm and a focus on quality and commitment to enabling best outcomes for the families in Bucks. The team strive to be neuro-affirming and embrace the role they undertake using a strength based approach.You should have a background of being a social worker, mental health nurse, OT or SALT professional ideally having worked with children and young people.This could be your first step into a leadership position in a clinical setting or continuing to build and hone your skillsets in a slightly different environment.Main duties of the jobSupport the Operational Lead in managing and developing the Buckinghamshire Neurodevelopmental Assessment and ADHD Pathway, including clinical structures, staff recruitment, and service implementation.Deputise for the Operational Lead as needed, ensuring the delivery of high-quality community mental health care packages.Line manage, supervise, and appraise team colleagues, contributing to the development and implementation of a robust performance management system.Collaborate with team leaders and managers to enhance community mental health service provision across the wider service.Ensure effective joint working with statutory and voluntary agencies to deliver responsive and appropriate services to users and carers.The ability to travel independently between sites within the Trust is essential for this role.About usOxford Health NHS Foundation Trust provides physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset.Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possibleOur vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive:"Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"Our values are:"Caring, safe and excellent"At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:Excellent opportunities for career progressionAccess to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous serviceNHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailersCompetitive pension schemeLease car schemeCycle to work schemeEmployee Assistance ProgrammeMental Health First AidersStaff accommodation (please note waiting lists may apply)Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion teamDetailsDate posted04 September 2026Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 7Salary 49,387 to 56,515 a year per annum ContractPermanentWorking pattern Full-time Reference number267-BM8233772Job locationsSue Nicholls CenterBierton RoadAylesburyHP201EGUnited KingdomJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesWe hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview, and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. We kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of their experience and must take care to ensure the use of AI tools does not generate an application that does not accurately reflect their knowledge, skills and values. Job description Job responsibilitiesWe hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview, and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. We kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of their experience and must take care to ensure the use of AI tools does not generate an application that does not accurately reflect their knowledge, skills and values.Person Specification Training and Qualifications EssentialRegistered Mental Health Nurse, Learning Disability Nurse, Paediatric Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Speech and Language Therapist, Social Worker or other relevant registered professional qualificationCurrent registration with relevant professional body (NMC, HCPC, Social Work England or equivalent)Evidence of continuing professional development and maintenance of professional registrationDegree-level professional qualification or equivalent experienceDesirableMaster's degree in a relevant clinical, leadership or management disciplineLeadership or management qualificationADOS trained and/or additional neurodevelopmental assessment trainingTeaching, supervision or mentoring qualification Experience EssentialSignificant post-registration experience working with children and young people with mental health and/or neurodevelopmental needsExperience of providing clinical supervision, mentorship or leadership to colleaguesExperience of multidisciplinary and multi-agency working across health, education and social careExperience of complex assessment, formulation, risk management and clinical decision-makingExperience contributing to service improvement, audit, quality assurance or governance activitiesDesirableExperience working within a dedicated Neurodevelopmental Assessment Service or ADHD pathwayExperience of line management and appraisal responsibilitiesExperience working within CAMHS community servicesExperience supporting ADHD medication pathwaysExperience leading service development or pathway redesign initiatives Knowledge and skills EssentialSound knowledge of neurodevelopmental conditions, including Autism and ADHDUnderstanding of neuro-affirming, child-centred and evidence-based practiceAbility to undertake specialist assessments and contribute to formulation-led care planningStrong clinical risk assessment and risk management skillsAbility to make autonomous clinical decisions and manage clinical complexityExcellent communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex and sensitive information to children, families and professionalsAbility to lead, motivate and support staff through change and service pressuresUnderstanding of clinical governance, safeguarding, quality improvement and performance management processesStrong organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities effectivelyDesirableAdvanced knowledge of neurodevelopmental assessment frameworks and NICE guidanceDirect experience of conducting neurodevelopmental assessmentsKnowledge of ADHD medication monitoring and governance requirementsExperience interpreting performance and activity dataExperience presenting information to senior leaders or external agencies Leadership and Management EssentialExperience supporting staff development through supervision, coaching or leadershipAbility to promote a positive, inclusive and psychologically safe team cultureAbility to contribute to workforce planning, recruitment and staff developmentDemonstrates values-based, compassionate leadership and professional integrityDesirableFormal leadership experience within CAMHS or neurodevelopmental servicesExperience managing performance, attendance or capability processes Other EssentialCommitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and neuro-affirming practiceAbility to travel across Buckinghamshire and surrounding localities as required by the roleDesirableLived experience of neurodiversity Person Specification Training and Qualifications EssentialRegistered Mental Health Nurse, Learning Disability Nurse, Paediatric Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Speech and Language Therapist, Social Worker or other relevant registered professional qualificationCurrent registration with relevant professional body (NMC, HCPC, Social Work England or equivalent)Evidence of continuing professional development and maintenance of professional registrationDegree-level professional qualification or equivalent experienceDesirableMaster's degree in a relevant clinical, leadership or management disciplineLeadership or management qualificationADOS trained and/or additional neurodevelopmental assessment trainingTeaching, supervision or mentoring qualification Experience EssentialSignificant post-registration experience working with children and young people with mental health and/or neurodevelopmental needsExperience of providing clinical supervision, mentorship or leadership to colleaguesExperience of multidisciplinary and multi-agency working across health, education and social careExperience of complex assessment, formulation, risk management and clinical decision-makingExperience contributing to service improvement, audit, quality assurance or governance activitiesDesirableExperience working within a dedicated Neurodevelopmental Assessment Service or ADHD pathwayExperience of line management and appraisal responsibilitiesExperience working within CAMHS community servicesExperience supporting ADHD medication pathwaysExperience leading service development or pathway redesign initiatives Knowledge and skills EssentialSound knowledge of neurodevelopmental conditions, including Autism and ADHDUnderstanding of neuro-affirming, child-centred and evidence-based practiceAbility to undertake specialist assessments and contribute to formulation-led care planningStrong clinical risk assessment and risk management skillsAbility to make autonomous clinical decisions and manage clinical complexityExcellent communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex and sensitive information to children, families and professionalsAbility to lead, motivate and support staff through change and service pressuresUnderstanding of clinical governance, safeguarding, quality improvement and performance management processesStrong organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities effectivelyDesirableAdvanced knowledge of neurodevelopmental assessment frameworks and NICE guidanceDirect experience of conducting neurodevelopmental assessmentsKnowledge of ADHD medication monitoring and governance requirementsExperience interpreting performance and activity dataExperience presenting information to senior leaders or external agencies Leadership and Management EssentialExperience supporting staff development through supervision, coaching or leadershipAbility to promote a positive, inclusive and psychologically safe team cultureAbility to contribute to workforce planning, recruitment and staff developmentDemonstrates values-based, compassionate leadership and professional integrityDesirableFormal leadership experience within CAMHS or neurodevelopmental servicesExperience managing performance, attendance or capability processes Other EssentialCommitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and neuro-affirming practiceAbility to travel across Buckinghamshire and surrounding localities as required by the roleDesirableLived experience of neurodiversityDisclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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.UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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.UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).Employer detailsEmployer nameOxford Health NHS TrustAddressSue Nicholls CenterBierton RoadAylesburyHP201EGUnited KingdomEmployer's websiteEmployer detailsEmployer nameOxford Health NHS TrustAddressSue Nicholls CenterBierton RoadAylesburyHP201EGUnited KingdomEmployer's website