The BaNES Talking Therapies service offers support to residents of Bath and North East Somerset who may be experiencing common mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, stress and low mood, offering evidence based treatments based on the difficulties the patient is experiencing.

A new and exciting opportunity has arisen for the position of Deputy Service Lead (operational).

You will work as a key member of the senior management team to provide leadership and contribute to the development of the talking therapies service with a focus on operational management and forging effective links with external stakeholders.

We are currently operating a hybrid working arrangement, where you will be based at Bath NHS House combined with opportunities for remote working from home.

Main duties of the job

• To be an active member of the senior management team, including deputising for the BaNES Talking Therapies Service Manager and the Head of Talking Therapies (BSW).
• To act as a lead clinician and deliver one-to-one therapy sessions.
• To supervise and oversee the development of the service and programs of psycho-educational courses.
• To line manage and oversee the work of a team of High Intensity Therapists and Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners.
• To maintain a service that complies with the NHS Talking Therapies manual.
• To represent the service at meetings and deliver presentations, both internally and to outside organisations.
• To oversee links with voluntary and community organisations.

The successful candidate must have a qualification in one of the NHS Talking Therapies mental health clinical modalities, along with substantial post qualification relevant experience. It is essential to have in-depth experience of managing staff in a stepped care service along with the capacity to cope with pressure and prioritise competing demands.

We are a friendly and supportive team with a strong focus on staff wellbeing. We have an active wellbeing team who organise staff socials and meet regularly to support wellbeing and team cohesion. We are part of the wider BSW Talking Therapies Service (alongside Swindon and Wiltshire Talking Therapies) who recently won the AWP Team of the Year Award 2024.

About us

We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust)a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.

We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (BaNES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.

Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.

At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see job description for full details.

Managerial

• To deputise for the Head of BSW Talking Therapies and BaNES Talking Therapies Service Manager as appropriate.
• To line manage a team of mental health Practitioners including sickness, appraisals and performance etc.
• To oversee audits and to report any difficulties to the Service Manager.
• To provide cover for other members of the Senior Management Team.
• Recruit staff as required.
• To be a member of the Executive and Senior Management Team, including attending meetings and giving advice to the Head of Talking Therapies/service manager as appropriate.
• Appropriately manage time for clinical work and managerial responsibilities.
• To initiate in-service development and expansion.
• To over see the organisation and supervision of the work of the Assistants and PWPs.
• To liaise with other Primary Care Services.
• To liaise with Secondary Services.
• To oversee training in conjunction with the Service Lead and Supervision Lead.
• To be aware of budgetary constraints.
• Maintain an NHS Talking Therapies manual compliant service.
• Monitor and follow up patients in line with guidance.
• To allocate and support staff as discussed with the BaNES Service Lead and Head of BSW Talking Therapies .
• To supervise staff as appropriate.
• Induct and supervise new members of staff.
• To represent the Service and deliver presentations both internally and to outside organizations e.g. ICB and national organizations especially those related to NHS Talking Therapies.
• To oversee links with voluntary and community organisations, educational and recreational opportunities and resources in the local area which may be of benefit to clients referred to the service.
• To oversee the design and delivery of psycho-educational courses.

Professional:

To participate in the Talking Therapies business and professional meetings as appropriate.

• To be aware of and comply with all policies, procedures and directives of the Department, Service and AWP.
• To maintain and further develop high standards of therapy and psychology practice through co-operative work with other practitioners of all disciplines and involvement in professional audit.
• To comply with British Psychology Societys/ BABCP/ other regulatory body's Code of Conduct as well as procedures and government legislation as it applies to the Service.
• To oversee the research in the service. To instigate and be involved in research as required.

Clinical Governance:

• To support the Service manager in the development and implementation of effective Clinical Governance across the Talking Therapies Service.
• To support and participate in multidisciplinary audit in the service.
• To promote the use of effective interventions in the service.
• To participate in Clinical Governance processes in the service and in the profession.
• To help in the design of audit forms.
• Access GP data systems and input clinical notes.

General:

• To participate in liaison meetings with GPs and other members of the Primary Care Health Teams as appropriate.
• To participate in locality meetings.
• To participate in audit and personal review activity as required.
• To compile and return statistics and activity levels as required and monitor and act on statistics.
• To undertake such further training as might be required to maintain an appropriate level of expertise.
• To participate in individual and peer supervision.
• To be aware of and comply with all policies, procedures and directions of the department, service and AWP.
• To participate in the research activities of the service and publish articles.
• To participate in disseminating good practice by publication and presentation.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Qualification in one of the IAPT clinical modalities at a minimum of masters level
• Professional registration - HCP, BABCP, BPS

Experience

Essential

• Management experience & training
• Research and development experience
• Experience of supervising & managing staff in a stepped care service
• Substantial relevant clinical experience

Desirable

• Experience of designing publications
• Experience of service development
• Experience of designing and delivering presentations

Skills

Essential

• Capacity to cope with pressure and competing priorities
• Ability to deal with distressed patients
• Ability to support staff in dealing with patients in crisis
• Leadership skills
• Training skills

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of HR policies
• Knowledge of risk management in primary care

Employer details

Employer name

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Bath NHS House

Newbridge Hill

Bath

BA1 3QE

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

342-BNS091-0824