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- Tasks: Lead a mental health team in delivering compassionate care within a prison healthcare service.
- Company: Join Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, rated Outstanding by the CQC.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, inclusive culture, and opportunities for growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on mental health care while working in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Must be a registered mental health professional with at least 2 years of leadership experience.
- Other info: This role involves working in secure healthcare settings and requires UK professional registration.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 60000 £ per year.
Lead with Compassion. Deliver with Purpose.
Are you a passionate and experienced mental health professional ready to lead a dedicated team in a unique and rewarding environment? JoinTeam NHFTas aMental Health MatronatHMP Lowdham Grange, and help shape the future of secure mental health care.
AtNorthamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT), we’re proud to be ratedOutstandingby the CQC. We’re committed to delivering safe, high-quality care and supporting our staff to thrive.
Main duties of the job
About the Role
As Mental Health Matron, you’ll lead the mental health team within the prison healthcare service, ensuring the delivery of effective, compassionate, and patient-centred care. You’ll be a key member of the leadership team, working closely with the Head of Healthcare and partner organisations to develop integrated care pathways and drive service improvement.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Providing clinical and operational leadership to the mental health team
- Leading on governance, quality assurance, and service development
- Managing recruitment, supervision, and performance of staff
- Ensuring compliance with CQC, safeguarding, and security standards
- Supporting innovation and continuous improvement in care delivery
- Liaising with internal and external stakeholders to optimise care pathways
Working for our organisation
NHFT is an integrated primary care and mental health Trust, providing physical, mental health and specialty services in both hospital settings and out in the community. Because we put the person at the centre of all we do, we focus on delivering care that is as easy to access as possible. This means many of our services can be provided at home, work or in schools.We also provide health services to various prisons and detention centres in Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.
NHFT promotes a culture of learning to improve the care and safety of our patients and staff, which focuses on people who enable our Trust to be ‘outstanding’ by supporting opportunity, innovation, development and growth.
Why Join NHFT?
- Annual Leave: 27 days + 8 bank holidays (rising with service)
- Inclusive and supportive team culture
Be Part of Something Bigger
If you’re ready to lead with integrity, inspire your team, and make a lasting impact on mental health care in a secure setting, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply today and help shape the future of prison mental health services.
Learn more about us atwww.nhft.nhs.ukor bit.ly/24hoursinNHFT
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For further information on the advertised role, please refer to the job description located under the Supporting Documents heading. The full person specification can be accessed under the ‘About You’ Section of the document.
Person specification
Qualifications
- • Registered mental health professional with diploma/degree-level qualification
Experience
- • Minimum 2 years’ experience at Band 6 or equivalent
- • Proven leadership and staff management experience
- • Experience working across service boundaries
- • Experience in service transformation and stakeholder engagement
- • Previous experience in prison or secure healthcare settings
Skills
- • Strong communication, organisational, and change management skills
Employer certification / accreditation badges
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
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Mental Health Matron employer: Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Contact Detail:
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Mental Health Matron
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges and needs of mental health care within a prison setting. Understanding the unique environment will help you demonstrate your readiness to lead effectively in this role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals already working in secure mental health care. Engaging with current staff or attending relevant conferences can provide insights into the role and help you make valuable connections.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills by discussing any previous experiences where you successfully managed teams or projects. Be prepared to share specific examples that highlight your ability to inspire and drive service improvement.
✨Tip Number 4
Research NHFT’s values and recent initiatives. Being knowledgeable about their commitment to quality care and innovation will allow you to align your personal values with theirs, making a strong case for your fit within the organisation.
We think you need these skills to ace Mental Health Matron
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of a Mental Health Matron. Review the job description carefully and reflect on how your experience aligns with the requirements.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in mental health care, leadership, and service transformation. Use specific examples that demonstrate your skills and achievements in similar roles.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for mental health care and your leadership style. Mention your understanding of the unique environment of prison healthcare and how you can contribute to the team.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Ensure you clearly state your qualifications, including your registered mental health professional status and any relevant training or certifications. This will help establish your credibility for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
✨Show Your Passion for Mental Health
Make sure to express your genuine passion for mental health care during the interview. Share personal experiences or motivations that led you to this field, as it will resonate with the interviewers and demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Highlight Leadership Experience
As a Mental Health Matron, leadership is key. Be prepared to discuss your previous leadership roles, focusing on how you've managed teams, driven service improvements, and ensured high-quality care. Use specific examples to illustrate your impact.
✨Understand the Unique Environment
Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges and dynamics of working in a prison healthcare setting. Discuss how you would approach these challenges and ensure effective, compassionate care for patients in such an environment.
✨Prepare Questions for the Interviewers
Demonstrate your interest in the role by preparing thoughtful questions for the interviewers. Ask about the team's culture, ongoing projects, or how they measure success in patient care. This shows you're engaged and eager to contribute.
