This senior post heads the Mental Health Legislation service at Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, acting as the organisation's principal authority on mental health and capacity law. The post holder advises on the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act, shapes policy and runs audit, governance and staff training across services. It also leads a specialist legislation team, oversees Associate Hospital Managers and gives assurance to the Trust Board. Applicants need a current professional registration as a nurse, social worker or allied health professional.
What the job involves
- Provide strategic and operational leadership of the Trust's Mental Health Legislation service
- Act as the Trust's expert adviser on the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and associated legislation
- Ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements while protecting service users' rights and legal safeguards
- Lead policy development, governance, audit and quality improvement for mental health legislation
- Lead and develop the specialist Mental Health Legislation team
- Oversee Mental Health Act governance processes and Associate Hospital Managers
- Lead the implementation of legislative changes across the organisation
- Lead education and training programmes on mental health legislation
- Lead on risk management and regulatory compliance
- Work with senior leaders, clinicians, regulators and external partners to influence strategy and provide expert advice
- Provide assurance to the Trust Board
- Drive continuous improvement and support safe, effective, person-centred care
What's required
Qualifications
- Master's degree or equivalent qualification, or relevant experience
- Up-to-date professional and statutory training, and CPD evidence in mental health legislation, leadership and governance
Registration & licences
- Current professional registration as a nurse, social worker or allied health professional, maintained throughout employment
Experience
- Significant experience managing services in a complex healthcare setting
- Substantial practical experience applying the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and Codes of Practice
- Leading and managing teams, including appraisal, performance management and workload allocation
- Track record of staff, financial, performance and change management, and complex service improvement
- Developing policy, governance systems, audit programmes and quality reporting; escalating legal, clinical and organisational risk
Skills & knowledge
- Expert, current knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983, Mental Capacity Act 2005, Codes of Practice, Human Rights Act 1998 and DoLS/LPS
- Knowledge of Court of Protection and First-tier Tribunal proceedings and CQC standards for the Mental Health Act
- Ability to interpret complex legislation and policy into clear procedures and practical action
- Advanced analytical, judgement and numerical skills, with clear written and verbal communication, report writing for Boards, and influencing clinicians, regulators and partners
- Highly developed leadership skills to motivate multidisciplinary teams through change and resolve conflict
Checks & eligibility
- Willing to undergo a DBS check for the post
Other
- Able to travel frequently across Trust sites and occasionally beyond Nottinghamshire, and to work flexibly including outside normal hours
- Complies with Trust requirements for safeguarding, infection prevention, data quality, equality and diversity, and sustainability
Nice to have
- Master's or postgraduate qualification in mental health law or a closely related subject
- Relevant leadership or management qualification
- Knowledge of NHS commissioning, system partnerships and wider legal processes in mental health
- Direct liaison with the CQC on Mental Health Act reviews or provider action statements
- Managing Associate Hospital Managers or supporting Mental Health Act managers' hearings and tribunals
- Managing a delegated budget and delivering cost improvement requirements
- Quality improvement methodology and facilitation skills
- Full UK driving licence and vehicle for business use, with reasonable adjustments available for disabled applicants
What's offered
- Occupational health and staff counselling services
- Dedicated Health and Wellbeing team
- Employee-led staff networks, including EDI, Freedom to Speak Up, Health and Wellbeing and Menopause Champions
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Head of Mental Health Legislation employer: The Methodist Church in Britain
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Contact Details:
The Methodist Church in Britain Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
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