Job summary
We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Deputy Trust Secretary to join our dynamic team at Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust to provide maternity leave cover for 12 months.
As a key member of the Trust Secretariat, you will play a vital role in providing comprehensive secretarial and administrative support to the Trust Board to ensure the Board meets its obligations to comply and secure ongoing compliance with the legislative regulatory framework, interpreting legal requirements, advising the Board, and supporting the Trust Secretary in developing policies.
You will also maintain accurate records of Board meetings and decisions.Identify issues raised at committees that require referral to other committees or groups in the Trust and advise the chairs of committees, Trust Secretary, and Executive directors accordingly
Don't miss this opportunity join the Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust team and make a real impact.
BenefitsoAnnual leave allowance starting at 27 days per year (when working full time) + Bank Holiday's.oAccess to the fantastic NHS pension scheme.oEligibility for the Blue Light Card (discount service for the NHS, providing members with thousands of amazing discounts online and on the high street).
Here are some clips of our Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust staff, speaking about their role and why they enjoy working for us.
Main duties of the job
* Deputise for the Trust Secretary in his or her absence across all areas of corporate governance.
* Provide autonomous high level comprehensive support to Trust committees, advising the chairs of committees on matters of procedure and corporate governance.
* Oversee on a day-to-day basis the administration, communication and handling of governance issues for the Trust;
* Responsible for developing and delivering an annual programme of Trust business in consultation with the Trust Secretary and chairs of relevant committees; and
* Responsible for quality assurance of Committee generated documentation.
About us
We are the Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust. We care for the mental health and wellbeing of people across Kent and Medway. Our teams support adults with a wide range of mental health needs. Because we cover the whole county and both hospital and community settings, we can make care more joined up and easier to access for the 1.8 million people of Kent and Medway. Rated 'Good' by the CQC, we care for over 2,000 people in our hospitals and 54,000 in the community each year.
Our vision is simple: We are here to help communities not just live with mental illness, but live well. It's why we're passionate about working with communities to make mental health care better for everyone. And everything we do is guided by our values caring, inclusive, curious and confident.
Join us - if you share our passion for better mental health care and want to be part of a team that's doing well together.
Details
Date posted
18 February 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 8a
Salary
£55,690 to £62,682 a year per annum
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
12 months
Working pattern
Full-time, Home or remote working
Reference number
380-SS0752-A
Job locations
Farm Villa
Farm Villa, Hermitage Lane
Aylesford
ME20 6WT
Job description
Job responsibilities
We are serious about diversity and inclusion, and we are working hard to build this into our DNA. We warmly welcome applications for any of our roles from people from diverse backgrounds, and we are proactively encouraging applications from under-represented communities for our more senior roles, like this one.
* Support the Trust Secretary by developing a clear knowledge and understanding of highly complex specialist areas such as the constitutional framework, standing orders and relevant legislation: the ability to interpret them accurately and to provide clear guidance to Executive and Non-Executive Directors on matters of significant importance
* Responsible for the preparation of agendas and papers (including the updating of action logs) relating to meetings of Board level committees, ensuring arrangements fully comply with statutory requirements.
* Draft reports on highly complex or sensitive matters on behalf of the Trust Secretary
* Prepare reports on the business conducted at meetings for approval by the chairs of committees
* Advise the chairs of committees on procedural matters e.g. standing orders and support them in the running of the committee.
Please refer to the attached job description for the full details on the responsibilities and person specification
We are serious about diversity and inclusion, and we are working hard to build this into our DNA. We warmly welcome applications for any of our roles from people from diverse backgrounds, and we are proactively encouraging applications from under-represented communities for our more senior roles, like this one.
Job description
Job responsibilities
We are serious about diversity and inclusion, and we are working hard to build this into our DNA. We warmly welcome applications for any of our roles from people from diverse backgrounds, and we are proactively encouraging applications from under-represented communities for our more senior roles, like this one.
* Support the Trust Secretary by developing a clear knowledge and understanding of highly complex specialist areas such as the constitutional framework, standing orders and relevant legislation: the ability to interpret them accurately and to provide clear guidance to Executive and Non-Executive Directors on matters of significant importance
* Responsible for the preparation of agendas and papers (including the updating of action logs) relating to meetings of Board level committees, ensuring arrangements fully comply with statutory requirements.
* Draft reports on highly complex or sensitive matters on behalf of the Trust Secretary
* Prepare reports on the business conducted at meetings for approval by the chairs of committees
* Advise the chairs of committees on procedural matters e.g. standing orders and support them in the running of the committee.
Please refer to the attached job description for the full details on the responsibilities and person specification
We are serious about diversity and inclusion, and we are working hard to build this into our DNA. We warmly welcome applications for any of our roles from people from diverse backgrounds, and we are proactively encouraging applications from under-represented communities for our more senior roles, like this one.
Person Specification
Training and Qualifications
Essential
* Post graduate qualification or equivalent experience
Desirable
* Educated to post-graduate level in English Law
* ICSA qualification
Experience
Essential
* Significant experience of interpreting legislation and statutory guidance
* Experience in formal minute taking of high level meetings and/or court proccedings
* Experience of handling complex data and information analysis
* Experience of managing and supervising others
* Knowledge and understanding of complex corporate governance requirements and ability to advise senior managers on these specialist matters
Desirable
* Experience in the NHS or a mental health setting
* Use of Diligent Board software (or equivalent)
* Experience of policy development
Knowledge
Essential
* Excellent report writing skills
* Ability to manage a busy workload, self-determining priorities, methods of working and deadlines that will meet the needs of the Trust
Desirable
* Knowledge of Care Quality Commission regulatory model
Skills
Essential
* Ability to use Excel to analyse complex data and then interpret appropriately
* Ability to use Word and PowerPoint to produce high quality documents
* Accuracy and attention to detail.
* Ability to present complex information and/or data to Board members
Person Specification
Training and Qualifications
Essential
* Post graduate qualification or equivalent experience
Desirable
* Educated to post-graduate level in English Law
* ICSA qualification
Experience
Essential
* Significant experience of interpreting legislation and statutory guidance
* Experience in formal minute taking of high level meetings and/or court proccedings
* Experience of handling complex data and information analysis
* Experience of managing and supervising others
* Knowledge and understanding of complex corporate governance requirements and ability to advise senior managers on these specialist matters
Desirable
* Experience in the NHS or a mental health setting
* Use of Diligent Board software (or equivalent)
* Experience of policy development
Knowledge
Essential
* Excellent report writing skills
* Ability to manage a busy workload, self-determining priorities, methods of working and deadlines that will meet the needs of the Trust
Desirable
* Knowledge of Care Quality Commission regulatory model
Skills
Essential
* Ability to use Excel to analyse complex data and then interpret appropriately
* Ability to use Word and PowerPoint to produce high quality documents
* Accuracy and attention to detail.
* Ability to present complex information and/or data to Board members
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details
Employer name
Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust
Address
Farm Villa
Farm Villa, Hermitage Lane
Aylesford
ME20 6WT
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)
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Employer details
Employer name
Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust
Address
Farm Villa
Farm Villa, Hermitage Lane
Aylesford
ME20 6WT
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)
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