SHSCT _ Improvement Lead, Mental Health & Disability Services

Job details

• Branch: Southern HSC Trust area (SHSCT)
• Location: St Luke's Hosp-Longstone-Acorn Centre
• Directorate: Mental Health & Disability Services
• Salary: Band 8a (£55,690 - £62,682 )
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 14/05/26
• Closes: Thu, 28 May 2026 @ 4:00 PM
• Interview Dates: To be confirmed

Notes

Important Information If you are submitting a manual application, please post it to: Recruitment Shared Services, Rosewood Villa, Longstone Hospital Site, 73 Loughgall Road, Armagh, BT61 7PR. Applications received after the advertised closing date/time cannot be considered, so please allow enough time for postage. “A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026. Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created- regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week. Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards. Flexible Working We welcome flexible working requests from day one. All HSC organisations offer a range of flexible working options. The options available for this post will depend on the requirements of the role. Find out more about flexible working options on our website.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE

Improvement Lead

BAND

8A

DIRECTORATE

Mental Health and Disability (MHD)

INITIAL LOCATION

Base to be confirmed

REPORTS TO

Directorate AHP Lead, MHD

ACCOUNTABLE TO

Director of Mental Health and Disability Services

FLEXIBLE WORKING PROVISIONS AVAILABLE

Fixed working patterns, Part-time working, Compressed/elongated hours.

HOURS

37.5 hrs/week

JOB PURPOSE / SUMMARY

The post holder will lead on and be responsible for the continued delivery of the HSC NI modernisation and reform agenda across the Mental Health & Disability Directorate (MHD) within the Southern Trust. They will support the ongoing development of information and technology applications across services, in line with strategic direction as well as lead, manage and deliver on other improvement initiatives as appropriate across MHD which support the reform and modernisation of services. Specifically, they will be the Directorate lead during the optimisation of Encompass across MHD and will support the implementation of new information systems such as EQUIP.

KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

Service Delivery

Lead, manage and deliver on improvement initiatives as appropriate across MHD which support the reform and modernisation of services

Develop robust working relationships with the Collective Leadership Team (CLT) and the services it is responsible for, as well as internal and external stakeholders

Promote, facilitate and support a culture of continuous transformation / improvement

Work closely with the other departments to deliver against MHD / Trust performance management framework

Contribute to the Directorate workforce planning, governance, quality improvement, financial and performance management processes and have responsibility for the effective monitoring and maintenance of these processes across those service areas for which responsibility is held

Work collaboratively with a range of internal and external stakeholders to shape the design and identification of the operational standards, processes and systems relating to the Directorate’s improvement priorities to ensure their successful implementation, optimisation and utilisation

Support Trust-wide operational development and change initiatives

Collate, analyse and present verbal and written reports and make presentations to meetings with stakeholders as required.

Work closely with relevant stakeholders to retain their commitment and involvement in the Directorate’s improvement priorities

Promote the corporate values and culture of the organisation through all improvement work

Undertake further training applicable to the role and use this to support teams and services as appropriate

Service Delivery: encompass

Support the delivery of safe and effective care by leading on the optimisation and Business as Usual (BAU) activities of the encompass Programme

Have a sound working knowledge of encompass workflows, with the ability to identify inefficiencies, ensure timely escalation, prioritisation and resolution of key issues

Be able to identify areas of good practice which could be shared and utilised by services across the directorate

Provide advice and guidance on encompass workflows and develop targeted, bespoke training programmes for teams

Build encompass leadership capacity across MHD Directorate in conjunction with relevant stakeholders

Work collaboratively with a range of internal and external stakeholders to shape the design and implementation of operational standards, processes and systems to ensure the successful optimisation and utilisation of encompass

Work with services and their managers to validate and optimise recommended patient safety metrics across all encompass reports and dashboards

Continue to support the implementation of a system surveillance programme used to identify and investigate concerning and unexpected use patterns, address potential clinical risks, and promote patient safety best practices. This essential role with ensure patient safety is at the centre of all activity with real time data being available to support the initiatives

Ensure business and information systems have been tailored to provide timely and accurate performance and planning information in accessible formats to achieve service strategic and operational goals

Collate, analyse and present verbal and written reports and develop presentations to meetings with stakeholders as required

Work closely with relevant stakeholders to retain their commitment and involvement in BAU / optimisation of encompass

Contribute to encompass planning, policy and decision-making processes as required and ensure the encompass objectives and decisions are effectively communicated

Promote the use of patient facing platforms such as My Care and ensure divisional plans incorporate this important functionality. Involvement of the patient in their care pathway is a core foundation of the programme

Identify and escalate to the relevant personnel and governing structures, any risks in encompass practice, systems and builds ensuring appropriate mitigations, actions and resolutions are progressed.

Quality and Governance

The post holder will

Ensure that the needs of service users and their carer’s are at the core of the way the Directorate delivers its acute and community services

Contribute to the Trust's overall corporate governance processes to ensure its compliance with public sector values and codes of conduct, operations and accountability

Work collaboratively with key internal and external stakeholders to achieve measured improvements in business operations

Monitor, analyse and evaluate new ways of working to ensure maximum utilisation of staffing resources

Be responsible for collating information and facilitating / leading meetings, sub-groups and workshops relevant to job role and expertise

Leadership and People Management

The post holder will

Provide visible leadership and support for reporting staff across all areas

Deputise in the absence of senior staff, including attending meetings as required, to meet the needs of the service.

With other senior staff, lead on the development and implementation of the services’ Performance metrics.

Lead on auditing and benchmarking in the service as appropriate to the job role

Participate in recruitment and selection of new staff as appropriate to the job role

Ensure their own development and educational needs are met

Collaborative Working

The post holder will

Demonstrate and exemplify positive behaviours and attitudes, acting as a role model to others and so contributing to the development of the future cadre of professional leaders

Develop robust working relationships with the Collective Leadership Team (CLT) and the services it is responsible for, as well as with a range of internal and external stakeholders

Develop and maintain working relationships with colleagues to ensure achievement of Trust objectives and the effective functioning of the team

Support Trust-wide operational development and change initiatives

Communication

The post holder will

Plan and present information about improvement work / projects to a wide range of stakeholders in both formal and informal meetings, ensuring the vision and objectives are clear and that the whole team objectives and deliverables align to this vision

Lead the development and implementation stakeholder engagement plans and activities, working closely with all relevant stakeholders to ensure positive outcomes

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The Trust supports and promotes a culture of collective leadership where those who have responsibility for managing other staff:

Establish and promote a supportive, fair and open culture that encourages and enables all parts of the team to have clearly aligned goals and objectives, to meet the required performance standards and to achieve continuous improvement in the services they deliver

Ensure access to skills and personal development through appropriate training and support

Promote a culture of openness and honesty to enable shared learning

Encourage and empower others in their team to achieve their goals and reach their full potential through regular supportive conversation and shared decision making

Adhere to and promote Trust policy and procedure in all staffing matters, participating as appropriate in a way which underpins Trust values

RAISING CONCERNS – RESPONSIBILITIES

The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency.

The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with the Trust’s ‘Your Right to Raise a Concern (Whistleblowing)’ policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

The post holder will, in the event of a concern being raised with them, ensure that it is managed correctly under the Trust’s ‘Your Right to Raise a Concern (Whistleblowing)’ policy and ensure feedback/learning is communicated at individual, team and organisational level.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The post holder will be required to

Assist the organisation in fulfilling its statutory duties under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to promote equality of opportunity and good relations and under the Disability Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 2006. Staff are also required to support the organisation in complying with its obligations under Human Rights Legislation.

Ensure the Organisation’s policy on equality of opportunity is promoted through his/her own actions and those of any staff for whom he/she has responsibility.

Co-operate fully with the implementation of The Organisation's Health and Safety arrangements, reporting any accidents/incidents/equipment defects to his/her manager, and maintaining a clean, uncluttered and safe environment for patients/clients, members of the public and staff.

Adhere at all times to all Trust policies/codes of conduct, including for example

Smoke Free policy

IT Security Policy and Code of Conduct

standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour

Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your designated area of work.

Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control.

Take responsibility to minimise the Trust’s environmental impact wherever possible. This will include recycling, switching off lights, computers, monitors and equipment when not in use. Helping to reduce paper waste by minimising printing/copying and reducing water usage, reporting faults and heating/cooling concerns promptly and minimising travel.

All employees of the Organisation are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Southern Trust including patients/clients, corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information act 2000 the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant with the Trust policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.

Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, in order to maximise his/her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.

Represent The Organisation’s commitment to providing the highest possible standard of service to patients/clients and members of the public, by treating all those with whom he/she comes into contact in the course of work, in a pleasant, courteous and respectful manner.

This Job Description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

It is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to serve at any location within the Trust's area, as needs of the service demand.

February 2025

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE AND BAND Improvement Lead for Mental Health and Disability Services, Band 8a

DEPARTMENT/DIRECTORATE Mental Health and Disability

HOURS 37.5 hr/week

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor

Essential Criteria

Number

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Qualifications/ Registration

E1

Be a registered Nurse on the current NMC Register OR

Hold a Social Work Qualification and be registered on the current NISCC Register OR

Hold an Allied Health Professions (AHP) qualification and be registered on the current HCPC Register OR

Have a university degree or relevant professional qualification

Shortlisting by Application Form

Experience

E2

E3

E4

E5

E6

E7

2 years professional experience at Band 7 or above within a complex multi-disciplinary organisation OR 7 years professional experience to include a minimum of 5 years at Band 6 or above within a complex multi-disciplinary organisation

Demonstrate a minimum of two years’ experience of successfully delivering large service improvement, Quality Improvement, ICT / Transformation (or similar) projects

Demonstrate evidence of meeting a range of key targets within challenging timeframes, and making significant improvements

Experience of communicating and working collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders at all levels including senior management and senior clinical professionals, both internal and external to the organisation to achieve successful outcomes. Have a working knowledge of electronic systems that support the delivery of safe and effective quality health care. Demonstrate specialist, in-depth working knowledge of encompass workflows, processes and interfaces

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other

E8

Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment. This criterion will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by The Organisation which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post.

Shortlisting by Application Form

SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:

Skills / Abilities

E1

E2

E3

E4

E5

Experience of utilising high-level influencing, governance, leadership and organisational skills, particularly in an environment where there are significant barriers to acceptance and change

Have understanding and experience of the technologies used to deliver large e-Health and Care projects

Ability to identify solutions to problems and implement them effectively, exercising good judgement, initiative and discretion

Ability to work to deadlines and work within exacting timescales

Effective planning and organisational skills, with an ability to prioritise own workload and the workload of others

Interview / Test

Knowledge

E6

Experience in project management and/ or change management within a HSC setting

Interview / Test

Notes to applicants

You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.

Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.

Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will need to demonstrate at interview that they have the required competencies to be effective in this demanding leadership role. The competencies concerned are set out in the NHS Healthcare Leadership Model, details of which can be found at http://www.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk/resources/healthcare-leadership-model. Particular attention will be given to the following dimensions:

Inspiring shared purpose

Leading with care

Evaluating information

Connecting our service

Sharing the vision

Engaging the team

Holding to account

Developing capability

Influencing for results.

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for the Trust to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.

Successful applicants may be required to attend for a Health Assessment

THE TRUST IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times