Head of Nursing Learning Disabilities and Autism

Job overview

Are you passionate about transforming care for people with learning disabilities and autism across Manchester?

We are seeking an exceptional Head of Nursing to lead our city-wide community Learning Disability and Autism services whilst also supporting this area of care across all of our acute hospital sites. This pivotal role will champion inclusive, person-centred care and drive integration with social care and community partners.

As Head of Nursing, you will:

• Lead the development and delivery of high-quality nursing care for people with learning disabilities and autism across Manchester’s acute hospitals and city-wide community learning disability services.
• Work in partnership with social care, and wider system partners to ensure the delivery of seamless, holistic care.
• Shape policy and practice to reduce health inequalities and improve patient experience.
• Support and mentor specialist LD&A nurses and wider clinical teams.
• Drive innovation, workforce development, and service transformation.
• A registered nurse with significant experience in learning disabilities, autism, or complex needs.
• Proven leadership in multi-site or system-wide service delivery, including community-based care.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, reasonable adjustments, and inclusive care.
• Commitment to co-production, advocacy, and equity in healthcare.

Main duties of the job

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for nursing services within this speciality within the Local Care Organisation and across Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust as a whol
• Develop and implement innovative care models and practices to enhance the quality of life for individuals with a learning disability and/ or autism
• Oversee clinical governance within this area, ensuring the highest standards of care and compliance with regulatory requirements
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, professional development, and excellence in nursing practice
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to deliver holistic and person-centred care across health and social care working with a variety of system partners
• Engage with service users, families and carers to ensure their voices are heard and are at the heart of service development and delivery
• Strong, visible and compassionate leader

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the ‘Supporting Documents’ heading.  So that you’re even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, you’ll need to take time to read the ‘Candidate Essentials Guide’ that sits with the Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how ‘we care for you as you care for others’. Most importantly, it also contains critical information you’ll need to be aware of before you submit an application form.

Diversity Matters

MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating, and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team at [email protected].

We’re looking forward to hearing from you!