At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Mental Health Act Administration Team and ensure compliance with mental health legislation.
- Company: Join Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, a supportive and inclusive workplace.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and access to exclusive discounts.
- Other info: Experience a vibrant lifestyle in beautiful Somerset, close to major cities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in mental health care while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Degree-level qualification and knowledge of mental health law required.
The predicted salary is between 57528 - 64750 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Mental Health Act Lead/Manager to provide expert leadership, strategic oversight and specialist guidance on the Mental Health Act (including 2025 reforms) and associated legislation across the Trust. The post holder will lead and manage the Mental Health Act Administration Team, foster strong working relationships with clinical services, and develop a Mental Health Law Hub as the central source of legal expertise, governance support and best practice. This role requires an individual with advanced knowledge of mental health law, excellent communication skills, and the ability to navigate complex operational, legal and governance demands while supporting high quality, safe patient care.
Main duties of the job
- Lead and manage the Mental Health Act Administration Team, ensuring effective coordination of Mental Health Act processes Trust wide.
- Work closely with mental health inpatient wards to ensure lawful, safe, and compliant application of the Mental Health Act in line with Trust policy and national guidance.
- Develop, implement and oversee a Mental Health Law Hub as a central specialist resource for staff, leaders, and committees.
- Provide expert professional advice to the Trust Board and its committees on all matters relating to the Mental Health Act, Human Rights Act and associated legislation.
- Plan, commission, deliver and evaluate Mental Health Act training programmes for staff, Hospital Managers and Non Executive Directors.
- Lead the development, review and implementation of all Mental Health Act related policies, processes and governance systems.
- Oversee monitoring of Mental Health Act activity, trends and compliance, ensuring accurate reporting and supporting quality improvement.
- Maintain effective working relationships with clinical teams, Hospital Managers, the Care Quality Commission and external bodies.
- Support responses to CQC reports, serious incidents, legal challenges and concerns related to Mental Health Act practice.
- Work flexibly according to the needs of the service.
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
- Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
- NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
- Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
- A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work. We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset?
Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London. The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future. Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Details
- Date posted: 06 August 2026
- Pay scheme: Agenda for change
- Band: Band 8a
- Salary: £57,528 to £64,750 a year
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Full-time
- Reference number: 184-OL-GR-5465
- Job locations: Broadway House, Broadway Park, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 5LX, United Kingdom
Job responsibilities
- Leadership & Team Management
- Lead and supervise the Mental Health Act Administration Team.
- Support recruitment, training and development of MHA Administrators and Hospital Managers.
- Ensure effective daily coordination of MHA processes across the Trust.
- Governance & Legal Compliance
- Oversee compliance with the Mental Health Act (including 2025 reforms), Human Rights Act and related legislation.
- Maintain robust systems for monitoring MHA activity, risks and trends.
- Respond to CQC concerns and support action plans following inspections or incidents.
- Mental Health Law Hub
- Develop and maintain a central hub for Mental Health Act expertise.
- Provide accessible guidance, resources and legal updates for staff.
- Act as the Trust's expert reference point for MHA advice.
- Training & Education
- Identify training needs and develop a Trustwide MHA training programme.
- Deliver core and specialist MHA training to staff, Hospital Managers and Non-Executive Directors.
- Work with Learning & Development to ensure high quality educational provision.
- Communication & Relationship Management
- Build effective relationships with clinical teams, Hospital Managers, CQC, legal teams and external partners.
- Represent the Trust at local and national meetings relating to mental health law.
- Contribute to committees and provide regular reports and updates.
- Policy & Service Development
- Lead on creation, review and implementation of MHA related policies and procedures.
- Identify changes in legislation and case law, advising on their impact.
- Support service improvements, quality initiatives and best practice development.
- Data, Reporting & Quality Assurance
- Work with Information teams to ensure accurate MHA data and reporting.
- Analyse trends and performance to support governance and improvement work.
- Ensure documentation meets statutory and Trust standards.
- Patient Care & Safety
- Ensure safe, lawful MHA processes across all clinical services.
- Make relevant information accessible to patients, carers and staff.
- Support investigations following MHA-related incidents or complaints.
- Other Requirements
- Travel across the county as needed.
- Work flexibly to meet service demands.
- Maintain confidentiality, uphold safeguarding responsibilities and comply with all Trust policies.
Person Specification
- Qualifications
- Essential: Degree level qualification
- Desirable: Legal qualification; Professional qualification/registration in and experience of working as a mental health professional, i.e. social work, nursing, OT
- Experience
- Essential: Understanding of Patient and Staff confidentiality; Understanding of the different legal responsibilities held by various public bodies relating to mental health legislation.
- Desirable: Experience of implementing these pieces of legislation in a clinical or social care setting.
- Additional Criteria
- Essential: In-depth knowledge of The Mental Health Act, The Mental Capacity Act, the Deprivation of Liberty safeguards, Liberty Protection safeguards, all of their related codes of practice and relevant case law; Working knowledge of related legislation such as the Care Act and the Health and Social Care Act; Ability to travel across the county as required.
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.
Employer details
Employer name: Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Broadway House, Broadway Park, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 5LX, United Kingdom
Mental Health Act Lead in Taunton employer: National health service
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work environment that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With flexible working options, a generous annual leave allowance, and a strong focus on career development, our team members can thrive both personally and professionally. Located in the picturesque Somerset region, employees enjoy a perfect blend of tranquil countryside and vibrant city life, making it an ideal place to build a rewarding career while enjoying a high quality of life.
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We think this is how you could land Mental Health Act Lead in Taunton
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We think you need these skills to ace Mental Health Act Lead in Taunton
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