Job overview
Working closely with the clinical director for older adults, the post-holder will provide operational and clinical leadership across the Older Adult Pathways on a Trust Wide basis.
This role with provide senior oversight to ensure that care pathways are robust and reflect best practice guidance whilst supporting the Trusts strategic ambition to provide outstanding care through quality assurance mechanisms.
The post-holder will need an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the national, regional and organisational context with regards to older adult clinical services
Main duties of the job
Please refer to the detailed Job Description and the detailed Person Specification that is attached to the job advert.
Working for our organisation
We are proud to provide high quality mental health and learning disability services, both inpatient and in the community across five boroughs of Greater Manchester - Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport and Tameside and Glossop.
Our vision is for a happier and more hopeful life for everyone in our communities and our staff work hard to deliver the very best care for the people who use our services. We’re really proud of our #PennineCarePeople and do everything we can to make sure we’re a great place to work.
All individuals regardless of race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership are encouraged to apply for this post. We would also encourage applications from individuals with a lived experience of mental illness, either individually or as a carer.
If you come and work for us we will offer a range of benefits and opportunities, including:
* Generous annual leave entitlement for Agenda for Change and Medical and Dental staff.
* Flexible working opportunities to support your work/life balance
* Access to Continued Professional Development
* Involvement in improvement and research activities
* Health and Wellbeing activities and access to an excellent staff wellbeing service
* Access to staff discounts across retail, leisure and travel
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please refer to the detailed Job Description and the detailed Person Specification that is attached to the job advert.
Person specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential criteria
* Accredited and practicing psychological therapist in a modality which must be IAPT related and the regulatory body must be recognised for the modality practiced (i.e. BABC, UKCP, BACP etc.)
* Post graduate qualification in a psychological therapy approach OR Masters’ degree in a relevant clinical subject
* Evidence of continued professional development
* Management qualification (certificate level or above) or equivalent experience
Desirable criteria
* Registered Mental Health Professional with a statutory regulatory body (e.g. Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology, Mental Health Nurse, Social Work, OT etc.)
Experience
Essential criteria
* Significant experience of service development & change management
* Experience and a track record of providing clinical leadership at a senior level within IAPT / psychological therapy services at Band 8a level or above.
* Experience in teaching and training of qualified psychological/ psychotherapeutic therapists and of non-psychology staff.
* Experience of exercising full clinical responsibility for the application of multi-theoretical psychological / psychotherapeutic assessment and intervention and evaluation with a range of common, acute and complex needs.
* Evidence of effective multi-agency working inc. with 3rd sector partners and/or other public sector providers.
* Experience of IAPT data management systems
* Experience of autonomous working with local commissioners and relationship management
* A track record of managing performance within target driven psychological therapy services
* Experience of risk governance management, systems and oversight.
* Understanding national policies and guidance related to IAPT / primary care psychological therapy services.
* Detailed knowledge of IAPT, evidence based guidelines and the interventions delivered within the national model
* Understanding of the Psychological Therapies/IAPT market place
* Understand the governance of incident management and oversight
* Highly developed skills in providing consultation to other professional and non-professional groups.
* High level skills in clinical and professional supervision
* Knowledge of contemporary legislation relating to the delivery of mental health and psychological services and its implications for both clinical practice and professional management.
* Knowledge of professional issues in psychology and psychological therapies.
* Knowledge and experience of the application of clinical governance and risk management policies and procedures for the maintenance and improvement of psychological services.
Desirable criteria
* Experience of the application of psychological therapy within an IAPT service / primary care setting
* Experience of managing a psychological therapy workforce
* Research, service evaluation and clinical audit experience
* Delivering information and presentations in high pressured situations.
* A regional or national profile in an area relevant to the role
* Experience of the application of psychological therapy in diverse cultural and ethnic contexts
* A wide knowledge of national clinical governance policy drivers for a range of service delivery points, such as the NHS code of confidentiality, best practice in clinical risk management, clinical complaints, research governance, NICE clinical pathways etc
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria
* Strong leadership and management capacity obtained within a rapidly evolving setting.
* Evidence of the ability to lead change initiatives and turn strategic vision into practical reality.
* Evidence of business acumen skills
* Ability to implement evidence-based therapeutic approaches within clinical practice.
* Able to use initiative & creativity in problem solving
* Commitment to quality improvement in psychological / psychotherapeutic services through multi-professional evaluation and audit of psychological services
* Ability to engage a range of professional and non-professional groups in co-operative working
* Ability to contain and work with organisational stress and ability to ‘hold’ the stress of others
* Ability to manage complex interpersonal negotiations with staff groups and stake holders.
* Evidence of ability to utilise clinical and managerial supervisory structures to deliver safe and effective services
* Ability to work under pressure
Desirable criteria
* Ability to implement evidence-based therapeutic approaches within clinical practice
* Inspires credibility with members of a range of professions offering psychological/psychoth erapeutic therapies, with colleagues from other professions and with managers at all levels
Work Related Circumstances
Essential criteria
* Evidence of the ability to prioritise workload and achieve objectives within agreed deadlines
* Ability to work to targets.
* Able to inspire, committed to high quality mental health care.
* Ability to problem solve and find solutions to complex problems.
* Willing to learn additional skills and knowledge required for understanding the IAPT market place
* A demonstrable commitment to antidiscriminatory practice and equality and diversity.
* Use of a car or access to a means of mobility to travel across the Trust footprint in line with service needs
* Willing to carry out all duties and responsibilities of the post in accordance with the Trust’s Equal Opportunities and Equality and Diversity policies
* Appointments to regulated and controlled activities require an enhanced DBS disclosure.
Desirable criteria
* Record of having published research / review academic, or professional journals and/or books
📝 Application support - We recommend tailoring your application to each role you apply for, particularly your supporting information. This gives you the best chance of success. Your supporting information should clearly explain, with examples, how your skills and experience meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role.
We understand that some candidates may use AI tools to help prepare their application. This is not restricted, however, any AI support should only be used to enhance your own writing and must reflect your genuine skills and experience. You will be asked to talk about your application at interview. Applications that contain false or misleading information may be removed from the recruitment process.
We also offer virtual application support sessions each month, where you will learn some hints and tips to support you in completing your application form. To secure your place, and to find out more visit the on our website.
🌍 Sponsorship Information - We are an approved sponsoring organisation. Applications will be considered from applicants requiring sponsorship alongside all other applications. Please be aware, not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible role and requirements on the
📬 After You Apply - Once your application is submitted, you’ll receive updates via email. Shortlisting is based on how well you meet the criteria outlined in the person specification. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview, and invitations will be sent by email.
✅ If You're Offered the Role - If successful, the hiring manager will contact you directly with a verbal offer. They will then notify the Recruitment Team and submit the necessary paperwork. You’ll receive a formal conditional offer via email
🔍 Pre-Employment Checks - To confirm your suitability for the role, we will carry out pre-employment checks in line with. These include:
* Identity verification
* Right to work check
* Disclosure and barring service (DBS)/Criminal record check (dependent on role)
* Professional registration and/or qualification check
* Occupational health assessment
* Employment history and reference validation
All applicants external to Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust will be required to provide their to cover the most recent three years employment. This information will used to validate employment history and references.
If you require sponsorship, we will assess your eligibility based on current If the role is not eligible and you cannot demonstrate your right to work, your conditional offer may be withdrawn.
🚀 Once Checks Are Complete -
The Recruitment Team will coordinate with you and the hiring manager to confirm a start date. You’ll be booked onto a Trust Welcome Session and receive your Pennine Care NHS Terms and Conditions.
📣 Additional Information -
We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds to help us grow, innovate, and improve.
If you wish to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, you will be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria for the role.
If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact us on 0161 716 3181 as early as possible so we can support you.
Please note:
* We do not accept unsolicited contact from recruitment agencies. Hiring managers should not be contacted directly.
* We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. If you have a disability or long‑term health condition and need extra time or adjustments to complete your application, please contact us as soon as possible. We will ensure you are not disadvantaged where a reasonable adjustment is appropriate.