Head of Mental Health Legislation

Essential

• Expert, current knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983, Mental Capacity Act 2005, associated Codes of Practice and related mental health legislation.
• In-depth knowledge of human rights law, including the Human Rights Act 1998, as it applies to mental health services.
• Detailed knowledge of legal proceedings and challenges affecting implementation of mental health legislation, including the Court of Protection and First-tier Tribunal.
• Knowledge of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and the developing Liberty Protection Safeguards framework
• Detailed understanding of Care Quality Commission standards and regulatory expectations relating to the Mental Health Act.
• Knowledge of national and local health policy and the implications of legislative and policy change for NHS services.
• Knowledge of clinical governance, risk management, audit, quality assurance and continuous improvement.
• Understanding of organisational development, management and leadership principles.

Desirable

• Knowledge of NHS commissioning, system partnership arrangements and wider legal processes relevant to mental health services.
• Understanding of research methods and evaluation approaches relevant to service improvement.

Essential

• Significant experience of managing services in a complex healthcare setting.
• Substantial experience applying the Mental Health Act 1983, Mental Capacity Act 2005 and associated Codes of Practice in practice.
• Experience of leading and managing teams, including objective setting, supervision, appraisal, learning and development, performance management and workload allocation.
• Successful track record of staff, financial, performance and change management.
• Significant experience of leading complex organisational change and service improvement.
• Experience of developing and implementing policy, governance systems, audit programmes and quality/performance reporting frameworks.
• Experience of identifying, managing and escalating legal, clinical and organisational risks.
• Experience of producing high-quality reports and assurance papers for senior committees and Boards.
• Evidence of building effective relationships with clinical leaders, service users, carers, partner organisations, regulators and other stakeholders.
• Experience of developing and delivering role-specific training.

Desirable

• Experience of direct liaison with the Care Quality Commission in relation to Mental Health Act reviews or provider action statements.
• Experience of managing Associate Hospital Managers or supporting Mental Health Act managers' hearings and tribunals.
• Experience of managing a delegated budget and delivering cost improvement requirements.
• Experience of supporting quality improvement activity across clinical services.

Essential

• All colleagues are expected to demonstrate that they act in line with Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Values: Trust Honesty Respect Compassion Teamwork
• All colleagues are expected to demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and how it applies to their role. The Trust's expectations are highlighted within our EDI Policy, and associated EDI and Human Rights legislation

Essential

• Registered Nurse, Social Worker or Allied Health Professional with current professional registration.
• Master's degree or equivalent level qualification or experience relevant to the role.

Essential

• Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to mental health legislation, leadership and governance.
• Up-to-date professional and statutory training appropriate to the role.

Desirable

• Training in quality improvement, audit, change management or project/programme management.
• Formal training relating to the Court of Protection, First-tier Tribunal, DoLS or Liberty Protection Safeguards.

Essential

• Highly developed leadership skills, with the ability to lead, motivate and develop multidisciplinary teams through change.
• Ability to interpret complex legislation and national policy and translate requirements into clear organisational policy, procedures, advice and practical action.
• Advanced analytical and judgement skills, including the ability to evaluate highly complex information, develop options and make authoritative recommendations.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, negotiation and influencing skills, including communicating highly complex, sensitive or contentious information to varied audiences.
• Ability to resolve conflict and work constructively where there are significant barriers to acceptance or resistance to change.
• Ability to plan and lead complex programmes of work, balancing competing priorities and tight deadlines.
• Ability to work autonomously as the Trust expert, exercising sound professional judgement and seeking advice where appropriate.
• High-level numerical and performance analysis skills, including interpreting performance against strategic objectives and providing expert opinion.
• Advanced IT skills, including Microsoft Office and software used to prepare performance, governance and Board reports.
• Ability to develop and deliver effective training for clinical, managerial and administrative staff.
• Commitment to service-user rights, legal safeguards, equality, diversity, inclusion and continuous improvement.

Essential

• Able to travel frequently across Trust locations and occasionally beyond Nottinghamshire.
• Able to work flexibly and, on occasion, outside normal working hours to meet service requirements and deadlines.
• Willing and able to undertake any DBS check required for the post.
• Maintains current professional registration throughout employment.
• Complies with Trust requirements for safeguarding, infection prevention and control, data quality, equality and diversity, and sustainability.

Desirable

• A full UK driving licence and vehicle for business use is required for this post; however reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled individuals in line with the Equality Act 2010.