Job summaryWe are seeking an experienced, compassionate and highly credible senior nursing leader to join our Nursing and Allied Health Professional leadership team as Associate Director of Nursing for Mental Health, Learning Disabilities.
This is a key professional leadership role within Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CFT), providing strategic, professional and operational nursing leadership for Mental Health and Learning Disability services, alongside strategic safeguarding leadership, assurance and oversight across both CFT and Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT).Working closely with the Chief Nursing Officer and Director of Nursing and Allied Health Professionals, the postholder will provide visible and influential leadership across quality, patient safety, professional practice, workforce development, safeguarding, improvement and research. They will champion high standards of safe, effective and person-centred care, ensuring that the voices of people who use our services, their families and carers are central to how services develop.
This is an exciting opportunity to influence professional practice and service development across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, working collaboratively with clinical and operational leaders, system partners, education providers and the voluntary sector to improve outcomes for our communities.
Main duties of the jobProvide strategic and professional nursing leadership for MentalHealth and Learning Disability services, ensuring high standards of clinical practice, quality, safety and patient experience.
Hold professional responsibility for Mental Health and Learning Disability services and specialtyConsultant Practitioners across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Provide strategicsafeguarding leadership, assurance and oversight across CFT and RCHT, ensuring both organisations meet their statutory safeguarding responsibilities for children and adults.
Provide line management and professional leadership to the Head of Safeguarding, supporting robust safeguarding governance, escalation and partnership working.
Provide expert professional advice and assurance to senior leaders and governance forums on nursing practice, safeguarding, quality, safety and professional standards.
Lead and influence the development of a skilled, compassionate, inclusive and sustainable nursing and clinical workforce, supporting professional development, recruitment, retention and succession planning.
Promote evidence-based practice, research, innovation and quality improvement, translating learning into improvements in clinical outcomes and experience.
Strengthen the involvement of people who use services, families and carers in the design, delivery and improvement of care.
About usWe're an NHS community and mental health provider Trust based in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We deliver community and hospital-based care to improve people's physical and mental health. We also provide specialist support to people with dementia or a learning disability.
We are a people organisation and people matter to us. As part of the team, you'll help support the health and wellbeing of the people who live and visit this beautiful part of the UK.Over 5,000 people make up the Trust. This includes doctors, nurses, therapists, plus admin and support staff. We work in people's homes, in community clinics and bases. Some staff work from one of our 10 community hospitals. Our aspiration is to have great people, provide great care, be a great place to work and a great partner.
Approximately 568,000 people live here. A third of people who live in Cornwall are supported by acute hospital services in Devon. As a result, we also work closely with our partners in Devon. In the summer, and during other holidays lots of people choose to visit the area. This increase the numbers of people who use out services. DetailsDate posted08 October 2026Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 8dSalary
94,356 to 108,814 a year
Per Annum
ContractPermanentWorking pattern
Full-time
Reference number201-26-906Job locationsCarew houseDunmere RoadBodminPL31 2QNUnited KingdomJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesTo view a detailed job description and person specification including the main responsibilities of this role please see supporting documents.
Job description
Job responsibilitiesTo view a detailed job description and person specification including the main responsibilities of this role please see supporting documents. Person Specification
Education and qualifications
EssentialRegistered mental health nurseDoctorate level qualification or Masters level qualification combined with demonstrable post grad training and experienceIn depth mental health practice experience in a senior role
Skills and Knowledge
EssentialKnowledge and understanding of the key national and policy initiatives and drivers relating to the services for people with mental health needs, learning disabilities and those who are cared for in secure 1provision'Ability to cope with highly complex clinical or management issues when working with competing agendas and opinions and where judgment and decision making maybe required
Experience
EssentialEvidence of strong clinical leadership resulting in high clinical standardsEvidence of working across organisational boundaries and developing productive partnership arrangements
Personal Qualities
EssentialExcellent planning/ organisational skills with the ability to work under pressure with competing and ambitious deadlines. Ability to write sub/ board level assurance reports and ability to summarise key risks and mitigations based on analytical review of the evidence.
Person Specification
Education and qualifications
EssentialRegistered mental health nurseDoctorate level qualification or Masters level qualification combined with demonstrable post grad training and experienceIn depth mental health practice experience in a senior role
Skills and Knowledge
EssentialKnowledge and understanding of the key national and policy initiatives and drivers relating to the services for people with mental health needs, learning disabilities and those who are cared for in secure 1provision'Ability to cope with highly complex clinical or management issues when working with competing agendas and opinions and where judgment and decision making maybe required
Experience
EssentialEvidence of strong clinical leadership resulting in high clinical standardsEvidence of working across organisational boundaries and developing productive partnership arrangements
Personal Qualities
EssentialExcellent planning/ organisational skills with the ability to work under pressure with competing and ambitious deadlines.
Ability to write sub/ board level assurance reports and ability to summarise key risks and mitigations based on analytical review of the evidence.
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).
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 nameCornwall Partnership NHS Foundation TrustAddressCarew houseDunmere RoadBodminPL31 2QNUnited KingdomEmployer's websiteEmployer detailsEmployer nameCornwall Partnership NHS Foundation TrustAddressCarew houseDunmere RoadBodminPL31 2QNUnited KingdomEmployer's website
Locations
Associate Director of Nursing (Mental Health/Learning Disabilities) in Bodmin, Cornwall employer: National Health Service
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for healthcare professionals in North Wales. With a commitment to employee development and a focus on compassionate care, staff have access to continuous professional development opportunities and the chance to make a meaningful impact in both acute and community paediatrics. The Health Board's integrated approach ensures that employees are part of a dynamic team dedicated to improving health outcomes for the local population.
