Job overview
We are seeking an experienced community mental health practitioner who is a registered Mental Health Nurse or Allied Health Professional to take on the role of Operational Lead within the Neighbourhood Recovery Service (NRS).
The Operational Lead for the Neighbourhood Recovery Service (NRS) will provide senior operational and clinical leadership within the Neighbourhood Mental Health Teams, supporting the delivery of high-quality, recovery-focused care for adults with severe and enduring mental health needs. Working within an integrated multidisciplinary team, the post holder will be responsible for ensuring the effective day-to-day running of the service, including performance management, governance, workforce oversight, and the delivery of safe, responsive, and person-centred care in line with Trust priorities and national community mental health policy
The role will involve providing expert clinical guidance and supervision to senior clinicians, supporting staff to manage complex cases and risk, and working collaboratively with partners across primary care, social care, and voluntary sector organisations. The Operational Lead will play a key role in service development, quality improvement, and the implementation of the neighbourhood model of care, ensuring services are coordinated effectively and meet the needs of the diverse local population while maintaining high standards of clinical governance and patient care
Main duties of the job
The Operational Lead will provide overall operational and clinical leadership to the Neighbourhood Recovery Service (NRS), ensuring the delivery of safe, effective, and high-quality community mental health care for adults with complex needs. The post holder will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the service, including performance monitoring, governance, financial oversight, and ensuring that services meet Trust and national standards. They will support the development and delivery of service improvements, contribute to business planning, and work closely with partner organisations across health, social care, primary care, and the voluntary sector to ensure coordinated and integrated care.
The role also involves providing clinical leadership and supervision to multidisciplinary team members, supporting staff to manage complex cases, risk, and care planning for service users. The Operational Lead will oversee staffing, recruitment, supervision, and staff development, promoting a positive learning environment and maintaining high professional standards. In addition, the post holder will contribute to quality improvement through audit, research, training, and service development activities, while ensuring that safeguarding, risk management, and clinical governance processes are consistently applied within the team.
Working for our organisation
Working for East London NHS Foundation Trust and within the City & Hackney Centre for Mental Health offers the opportunity to be part of an organisation recognised for its commitment to high-quality, compassionate care and continuous improvement. ELFT serves one of the most diverse communities in the UK and is committed to reducing health inequalities and delivering person-centred, recovery-focused services. Staff are supported to innovate, develop professionally, and contribute to service improvement through a strong culture of learning, collaboration, and co-production with service users and carers. Working in City and Hackney provides a unique opportunity to work within an integrated system alongside primary care, social care, and voluntary sector partners to deliver responsive, community-based mental health services.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For full details of the job, please refer to the attached Job Decsription and Person Sepicification.
Person specification
Education/ Qualification/ Training
Essential criteria
1. •Relevant qualification at RMN, CQSW, Diploma in Social Work, GSCC Registration, Bsc Hons. Occupational Therapy at First or Masters degree level or relevant experience
2. •Evidence of post qualification training
3. •Evidence of professional development
Desirable criteria
4. •Training in Quality Improvement methods
5. •Management qualification
Clinical skills and experience
Essential criteria
6. Post qualification experience
Education/ Qualification/ Training
Essential criteria
7. Relevant qualification at RMN, CQSW, Diploma in Social Work, GSCC Registration, Bsc Hons. Occupational Therapy at First or Masters degree level or relevant experience
8. Evidence of post qualification training
9. Evidence of professional development
10. Training in Quality Improvement methods
Desirable criteria
11. Management qualification
Experience
Essential criteria
12. Significant experience of leading clinical work, ensuring that this is recovery focussed
13. Significant experience of staff management, development and leadership
14. Significant experience of managerial and clinical supervision
15. Significant experience of Appraisal and Personal Development plans
16. Experience of budget management across Health and Social Care
17. Experience of recruitment, selection and retention
18. Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team
19. Experience of partnership working with other agencies
Desirable criteria
20. Experience of developing services and the change process
21. Experience of developing and delivering training
Knowledge and Skills
Essential criteria
22. Knowledge of current mental health legislation and initiatives
23. Current models of working with people with serious mental health problems including psycho-social and recovery approaches
24. Knowledge of relevant legislation (e.g.Mental Health Act 1983, NHS & Community Care Act 1990, Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty)Knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983 as amended in 2007
25. Knowledge and understanding of Social Care issues including, Support Planning, Personalisation and Safeguarding adults and children
26. Understanding of the principles of CPA/Care management and the local requirements for commissioning care packages
27. Knowledge of the legal and ethical issues relating to health care
28. Knowledge of the principles and practice of clinical governance, clinical audit and risk management
29. Understanding of the key issues in the modernisation agenda for health and social services
30. Knowledge of equal opportunities, confidentiality and consent issues
31. NHS/LA policies and procedures •Health & Safety issues
32. Excellent communications skills
33. Skills in using electronic clinical systems and associated Microsoft 365 applications