Deputy Head of Mental Health

Job overview

Are you a passionate and experienced mental health clinician ready to lead innovation at the frontline of 999 care?

Join South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) — a national leader in urgent mental health response. We’re redefining crisis care with dedicated Mental Health Response Vehicles (MHRVs), specialist triage teams in our control rooms, and a leading role in the award winning Integrated Access Partnership. This is your opportunity to make a real difference, driving change and shaping the future of community based emergency mental health support.

As our Deputy Head of Mental Health, you’ll play a vital role in shaping and delivering high quality patient care, driving strategic development, and ensuring best clinical outcomes for those experiencing a mental health crisis across the South West.

This is an opportunity to work at the forefront of mental health care in the emergency pathway. You’ll collaborate with emergency services, healthcare providers, and commissioners to develop pathways that transform pre-hospital mental health care.

We’re looking for a strong clinical leader with expertise in mental health strategy, governance, workforce development, and partnership working. You’ll have the authority and autonomy to influence services at local, regional, and national levels, ensuring innovative, patient-centred care.

If you’re passionate about shaping the future of mental health services within emergency care, we’d love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

This role requires a highly skilled mental health clinician and operational leader (with at least 3 years post qualifying experience) who is passionate about enhancing mental health care, fostering collaboration, and driving strategic improvements within the Trust.

Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement a comprehensive mental health strategy, policies, and clinical guidelines to ensure high-quality patient care.

Alongside the Head of Mental Health, oversee all SWASFT mental health delivery and quality improvement initiatives across the South West.

Operational & Clinical Leadership: Lead the delivery of key service targets, integrated governance, workforce planning, and financial sustainability within mental health services.

Training & Development: Support the education and development of staff within the Ambulance sector.

Quality & Patient Safety: Lead clinical governance initiatives, ensuring compliance with national guidelines and enhancing patient safety measures.

Crisis Management: Participate in the on-call senior management rota, making informed decisions in complex, high-pressure situations.

Clinical Expertise & Case Reviews: Provide expert clinical advice, contribute to Coroner’s cases, and support patient safety investigations across the Trust.

Staff & HR Support: Provide clinical guidance in disciplinary or capability concerns, recruitment, and staff development

There is an opportunity for dedicated clinical hours to uplift this role to full-time hours.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

See attached job description regarding the role.

There is an opportunity for additional hours to provide dedicated clinical time.

Please note: The job description for this role is currently indicative and therefore may be subject to change.

For more information on the Integrated Access Partnership see the following website: https://www.awp.nhs.uk/our-services/urgent-care/mental-health-integrated-access-partnership.

Right to work / Certificate of sponsorship

This role meets the criteria for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship under current Home Office regulations. Applications are welcome from candidates who require sponsorship to work in the UK.

For further information on visa sponsorship and eligibility, please refer to the UK Government guidance on Skilled Worker visas: www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Applicant requirements

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.