SMHS Clinical Lead

You are a confident, compassionate clinical leader who thrives on making a meaningful difference. You bring credibility, calm judgement, and a people-first mindset to complex mental health environments. You enjoy balancing strategic oversight with hands-on clinical input, and you are motivated by building high-performing teams that deliver outstanding care, even in high-pressure situations.

As our SMHS Clinical Lead, you will take full ownership of the Secondary Mental Health Service within our EAP. You will lead, shape, and continuously improve the SMHS pathway, ensuring high-quality, evidence-based, and compassionate care for clients. Alongside strategic leadership, you will manage and develop Clinical Case Managers, maintain robust clinical governance, and hold oversight of risk, safeguarding, and service outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional and clinical leadership across the SMHS team, acting as a champion for best practice
• Oversee the Secondary Mental Health care pathway, ensuring safe, effective, and client-centred delivery
• Line manage Clinical Case Managers and EAP Counsellors, including PDPs, supervision, and performance reviews
• Chair team meetings, case discussions, and contribute to senior clinical and governance forums
• Maintain oversight of risk management, safeguarding, and immediate-risk cases with confidence and clarity
• Manage a small clinical caseload alongside leadership responsibilities
• Build strong relationships with internal teams, senior stakeholders, and third-party providers
• Use evidence-based assessments, diagnostic tools, and interventions to support client outcomes
• Monitor service performance, budgets, and MI reporting to identify trends and drive improvement
• Contribute to audits, evaluations, and the development of policies, SOPs, and innovative practices
• Be part of the Gold on-call rota, supporting the service during critical incidents

Qualifications

• Professional registration (NMC, HCPC, BACP, BABCP, or equivalent Allied Health registration)
• Significant experience within Secondary Mental Health Services
• Strong clinical decision-making skills, particularly with complex and high-risk presentations
• Proven experience leading, motivating, and developing multidisciplinary teams
• Confidence delivering clinical supervision and managing performance constructively
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and presentations
• A robust understanding of safeguarding, risk assessment, and evidence-based pathways
• The ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining high standards of care
• Experience working closely with third-party providers and external partners
• A background in service improvement, audits, or pathway redesign
• Confidence working in fast-paced, evolving environments
• A proactive approach to challenging stigma and championing mental health awareness

Please note, all applicants must be legally entitled to accept and perform work in the UK and all positions are subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Interview Process

Our interview process involves 3 main stages:

• Application
• 30 minute call with a member of the TA team
• 60-minute video call with Hiring Manager and one other team member

Our average process takes around 2-3 weeks, but we will always work around your availability. You will have the chance to speak to our recruitment team at various points during your process. If you have any specific questions ahead of this, please contact us on talent@vivup.co.uk

We’re committed to being an inclusive employer and creating a fair workplace for all. We encourage applications from candidates across all backgrounds, circumstances, ages, disabilities, ethnicities, religions or beliefs, gender identities, or sexual orientations. We’re happy to offer reasonable adjustments during our hiring process. Just let us know, and we’ll make it work for you. Your comfort and success matter to us!