About this role
Job summary
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Mental Health Act Lead/Manager to provide expert leadership, strategic oversight and specialist guidance on the Mental Health Act (including 2025 reforms) and associated legislation across the Trust.
The post holder will lead and manage the Mental Health Act Administration Team, foster strong working relationships with clinical services, and develop a Mental Health Law Hub as the central source of legal expertise, governance support and best practice.
This role requires an individual with advanced knowledge of mental health law, excellent communication skills, and the ability to navigate complex operational, legal and governance demands while supporting high quality, safe patient care.
Main duties of the job
Lead and manage the Mental Health Act Administration Team, ensuring effective coordination of Mental Health Act processes Trust wide.Work closely with mental health inpatient wards to ensure lawful, safe, and compliant application of the Mental Health Act in line with Trust policy and national guidance.Develop, implement and oversee a Mental Health Law Hub as a central specialist resource for staff, leaders, and committees.Provide expert professional advice to the Trust Board and its committees on all matters relating to the Mental Health Act, Human Rights Act and associated legislation.Plan, commission, deliver and evaluate Mental Health Act training programmes for staff, Hospital Managers and Non Executive Directors.Lead the development, review and implementation of all Mental Health Act related policies, processes and governance systems.Oversee monitoring of Mental Health Act activity, trends and compliance, ensuring accurate reporting and supporting quality improvement.Maintain effective working relationships with clinical teams, Hospital Managers, the Care Quality Commission and external bodies.Support responses to CQC reports, serious incidents, legal challenges and concerns related to Mental Health Act practice.Work flexibly according to the needs of the service.
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
Flexible working options to help you balance work and lifeNHS pension scheme for long-term financial securityGenerous annual leave allowance to recharge and relaxA strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potentialAdditionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job description Job responsibilities
Leadership & Team Management
Lead and supervise the Mental Health Act Administration Team.Support recruitment, training and development of MHA Administrators and Hospital Managers.Ensure effective daily coordination of MHA processes across the Trust.Governance & Legal Compliance
Oversee compliance with the Mental Health Act (including 2025 reforms), Human Rights Act and related legislation.Maintain robust systems for monitoring MHA activity, risks and trends.Respond to CQC concerns and support action plans following inspections or incidents.Mental Health Law Hub
Develop and maintain a central hub for Mental Health Act expertise.Provide accessible guidance, resources and legal updates for staff.Act as the Trust's expert reference point for MHA advice.Training & Education
Identify training needs and develop a Trustwide MHA training programme.Deliver core and specialist MHA training to staff, Hospital Managers and Non-Executive Directors.Work with Learning & Development to ensure high quality educational provision.Communication & Relationship Management
Build effective relationships with clinical teams, Hospital Managers, CQC, legal teams and external partners.Represent the Trust at local and national meetings relating to mental health law.Contribute to committees and provide regular reports and updates.Policy & Service Development
Lead on creation, review and implementation of MHA related policies and procedures.Identify changes in legislation and case law, advising on their impact.Support service improvements, quality initiatives and bestpractice development.Data, Reporting & Quality Assurance
Work with Information teams to ensure accurate MHA data and reporting.Analyse trends and performance to support governance and improvement work.Ensure documentation meets statutory and Trust standards.Patient Care & Safety
Ensure safe, lawful MHA processes across all clinical services.Make relevant information accessible to patients, carers and staff.Support investigations following MHA - related incidents or complaints.Other Requirements
Travel across the county as needed.Work flexibly to meet service demands.Maintain confidentiality, uphold safeguarding responsibilities and comply with all Trust policies.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Degree level qualification
Desirable
Legal qualificationProfessional qualification/registration in and experience of working as a mental health professional, i.e. social work, nursing, OT
Experience Essential
Understanding of Patient and Staff confidentialityUnderstanding of the different legal responsibilities held by various public bodies relating to mental health legislation.
Desirable
Experience of implementing these pieces of legislation in a clinical or social care setting.
Additional Criteria Essential
In-depth knowledge of The Mental Health Act, The Mental Capacity Act, the Deprivation of Liberty safeguards, Liberty Protection safeguards all of their related codes of practice and relevant case law.Working knowledge of related legislation such as the Care Act and the Health and Social Care Act.Ability to travel across the county as required
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 Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Address Broadway House
Broadway Park
Bridgwater
Somerset
TA6 5LX
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)