Job overview
This new, one day a week, manager post has been created to develop and operationally lead a Trustwide MBT Service. The new service will sit alongside other therapeutic interventions within the Complex Emotional and Relational Needs pathway, and offer a further evidence-based therapy for service users with severe and complex difficulties in relationships and in managing their emotions.
Working with the support of an administrator, the post holder will be responsible for: development and ongoing operational management of the service; establishing relevant procedures and processes; clinical governance; coordination of clinicians working into MBT (substantively based within other secondary care services); management of referrals; and liaison with colleagues in other parts of the CERN pathway.
The post holder will also be expected to complete MBT training and hold an appropriately sized clinical caseload, offering individual and/or group based treatment.
Whilst the MBT service is relatively small in its infancy, there are aspirations to expand this in time and the post holder will work with the strategic Clinical Lead in MBT to explore this, as the evidence base develops understanding of the effectiveness for particular clinical presentations and service user groups.
Applicants must meet the full person specification to be considered for this secondment.
Main duties of the job
* To be responsible for the establishment and ongoing operational management of the Mentalization Based Treatment Service, including instituting appropriate procedures, service materials and governance arrangements.
* To have continuing responsibility for the operational management of the service, including coordinating the clinicians working into MBT, management of referrals, and line management of administrative workers (including appraisals).
* To work with the MBT Clinical Lead to ensure the highest standard of care is delivered to service users in accordance with the Trust’s Policies and Procedures, and Professional Code of Conduct.
* To work closely with colleagues in other parts of the Complex Emotional and Relational Needs (CERN) pathway, to ensure service users access the most appropriate and effective intervention for their needs (i.e. SCM, DBT, MBT,
DTC, or SCPTS).
* The post holder will additionally work clinically into the MBT service, offering individual and/or group MBT
Working for our organisation
Mentalizing refers to the ability to attend to mental states in ourselves and in others, as we attempt to understand our own actions, and those of others, on the basis of intentional mental states. The MBT approach is based on a view that a core problem for many service users is their vulnerability to a loss of mentalizing. This vulnerability develops within early attachment relationships and becomes associated with interpersonal sensitivity, which triggers dysregulated emotions and impulsivity. MBT therefore places mentalizing at the centre of the therapeutic process.
MBT works through establishing an enduring attachment relationship with the service user, while continuously stimulating a mentalizing process. Its aim is to develop a therapeutic process in which the mind of the service user becomes the focus of treatment. Like DBT and SCM, MBT is a multi-modal treatment, meaning it combines weekly individual sessions and weekly group sessions.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and person specification for full details regarding the position.
Person specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential criteria
* Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN), Diploma in Social Work (DIP/SW) or Occupational Therapist, with an additional psychotherapeutic qualification to post graduate diploma level Or Doctoral level training in clinical psychology, on a training course accredited by the BPS.
Desirable criteria
* Additional post graduate training or qualification in a therapy with an evidence base for working with individuals with Complex Emotional and Relational Needs (e.g. DBT, MBT, CAT).
Experience
Essential criteria
* Demonstrable experience of working with service users with Complex Emotional and Relational Needs, including risk assessment and the development of a safe plan of care.
* Demonstrable experience of working clinically at a band 7 level or above.
* Experience of MDT working.
Desirable criteria
* Demonstrable managerial experience at the level of line manager or above.
* Experience of working within a service with a particular focus upon service users with Complex Emotional and Relational Needs.
* Knowledge and/or experience of therapeutic group work.
Knowledge
Essential criteria
* Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of national policy and guidance in the treatment of Personality Disorder (or Complex Emotional and Relational Needs).
* Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies for the treatment of Complex Emotional and Relational Needs.
* Evidence of continuous professional development.
* Experience of audit procedures.
Desirable criteria
* Experience of service development and/or project management.
* Experience of effectively managing a budget and resources.
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria
* Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate, to support and maintain clinical practice in the face of regular exposure to highly emotive material and challenging behaviour.
* The ability to manage complex interpersonal negotiations with staff and groups of service users.
* The ability to manage a mutidisciplinary team and liaise with other professionals in decision making/planning care
* The ability to manage complex and distressing emotional situations relating to service users with Complex Emotional and Relational Needs.
* Personal and professional resilience.
Desirable criteria
* Experience of working within a multicultural framework.
📝 Application support - 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 vacancies early if we receive a high volume of applications. To ensure your application is considered, please apply as soon as possible.