At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead crisis services, ensuring quality and safety while managing a compassionate team.
- Company: Join Solent Mind, the largest mental health charity in Hampshire, dedicated to wellbeing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, and a supportive work environment focused on staff wellbeing.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in mental health crisis support and lead a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing mental health services and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 21371 - 24181 £ per year.
Salary: £21,371.96 to £24,181.42 (plus allowance for unsociable hours) - £35,145 to £39,765 full time equivalent – Solent Mind Band E
Hours: 22.5 hours per week. Primarily 5.00pm to 11.00pm, including some weekend/bank holiday working as required by the service, also need to attend daytime meetings where needed.
Location: Eastleigh Safe Haven and Southampton Lighthouse sites.
About the role
You will provide operational leadership across Solent Mind’s crisis services, with responsibility for the day-to-day delivery, quality, safety and ongoing development of the Safe Haven and Lighthouse offers. You will lead service delivery across both sites, ensuring services are safe, responsive and able to meet fluctuating demand. This includes maintaining oversight of risk, incidents, staffing and performance, and taking timely action where needed.
Working closely with NHS and system partners, you will support integrated service delivery, represent the service in partnership and performance meetings, and contribute to the wider local crisis pathway. You will line manage Crisis Team Leaders, providing clear supervision, support and development, while fostering a compassionate, inclusive and high-performing team culture. You will also ensure robust safeguarding, risk management and high-quality service delivery.
About you
You will have experience managing or leading a frontline mental health, wellbeing or crisis service, with responsibility for both people and operational delivery. You will bring:
- Experience of line managing staff and supporting performance, wellbeing and development
- Strong knowledge of safeguarding, risk assessment and crisis response
- Experience of monitoring service activity and using data to improve performance
- The ability to make sound decisions in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment
You will have a good understanding of mental health crisis, suicide prevention, de-escalation and the needs of people in acute distress, alongside knowledge of safeguarding, professional boundaries and safe information sharing. You will be a confident communicator, able to build credible relationships with internal and external partners, including NHS colleagues. You will also have an understanding of the impact of vicarious trauma and the importance of supporting staff wellbeing within crisis services.
About us
Solent Mind is the largest mental health charity in Hampshire. It is part of a network of 125 local Minds in England and Wales, which are independent charities affiliated to Mind. Solent Mind has its own board of trustees and raises its own funds to deliver its services, support and training tailored to the needs of people living in Hampshire, Southampton, Portsmouth, and the Isle of Wight. Solent Mind has a gold award for Workplace Wellbeing Index 2022/2023 and has signed up to be a Mindful Employer.
Crisis Service Manager in Southampton employer: Solent Mind
Solent Mind is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional development. With a strong commitment to mental health services in Eastleigh and Southampton, employees benefit from flexible working hours, opportunities for growth, and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the community. The organisation's recognition as a gold award holder for Workplace Wellbeing Index 2022/2023 highlights its dedication to fostering a compassionate environment for both staff and service users.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Crisis Service Manager in Southampton
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Solent Mind.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Solent Mind!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Solent Mind, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Solent Mind or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Crisis Service Manager in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Solent Mind:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Solent Mind! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Solent Mind
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
