About this role
Job summary
The Deputy Ward Manager/Clinical Charge Nurse role is for Registered Nurses who have completed preceptorship and are approved NMC Practice Supervisors and/or Practice Assessors.
The post holder will provide high-quality, safe, and effective nursing care, ensuring compliance with the NMC Code. They will demonstrate clinical leadership, promote evidence-based practice, and support the development of junior staff through supervision, appraisal, and education.
The role includes a commitment to ongoing professional development, including postgraduate study opportunities. As a senior nurse within the South London Mental Health and Community Partnership, the post holder will promote collaborative working and contribute to the delivery of integrated, person-centred care.
Main duties of the job
The Deputy Ward Manager/Clinical Charge Nurse will provide clinical leadership to the multidisciplinary team, ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality, recovery-focused care. The post holder will coordinate and oversee patient care, support effective risk management, and promote evidence-based practice. They will supervise, mentor and develop junior staff, contribute to service improvement, and support the operational management of the ward, including deputising for the Ward Manager when required. Strong leadership, communication, organisational and decision-making skills are essential, alongside a commitment to patient-centred care, staff development and continuous quality improvement.
Flexible working
As one of the few Trusts in London, we are proud to offer flexible working as part of our new ways of working, and we are happy to discuss flexible working at interview. In this role, you will be able to work assigned shift through the week; always mindful to support a healthy work-life balance.
About us
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) is one of the UK's leading mental health providers, delivering specialist mental health and substance misuse services to a diverse population of around two million people. Working in partnership with King's College London and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), we combine outstanding clinical care with research, innovation and education.
The Eating Disorders Service sits within our National Services Directorate and is a nationally recognised centre of excellence, providing inpatient, day patient and outpatient care for local and national referrals. The service is committed to delivering evidence-based, recovery-focused treatment and is actively involved in research and service development.
This post is based within the 18-bed Eating Disorders Unit (EDU) at New Douglas Bennett House, Windsor Walk, SE5 8AZ, on the Maudsley Hospital site. You will join a skilled and supportive multidisciplinary team that values collaboration, professional development and high-quality patient care.
The Maudsley Hospital is located in Denmark Hill, less than five minutes from the train station (Zone 2), with excellent transport links and easy access to Ruskin Park, local shops, cafs and restaurants
Job description Job responsibilities
The Deputy Ward Manager/Clinical Charge Nurse will provide clinical and operational leadership within the Eating Disorders Unit, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and recovery-focused care. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the post holder will coordinate patient care, lead shifts, manage clinical risk and ensure high standards of nursing practice in line with Trust policies and the NMC Code.
Key responsibilities include assessing, planning, delivering and evaluating person-centred care; administering and monitoring medication; supporting patients with complex mental and physical health needs; and promoting recovery through therapeutic engagement and evidence-based interventions. The post holder will oversee patient safety, contribute to safeguarding processes, maintain accurate clinical records and ensure effective communication with patients, carers and partner services.
The role includes supervising, mentoring and developing junior staff, student nurses and healthcare support workers, promoting a positive learning environment and supporting professional development. The post holder will lead by example, facilitate reflective practice and contribute to education, training, audit, quality improvement and service development initiatives.
The Deputy Ward Manager will deputise for the Ward Manager when required, supporting workforce management, clinical governance, incident investigation, resource allocation and service performance. They will work collaboratively with colleagues across the Trust and external organisations to ensure the delivery of high-quality, patient-centred care and positive outcomes for service users.
Person Specification
Education Essential
Registered Adult Nurse and/or Registered Mental Health Nurse and/or Registered Learning Disabilities Nurse. Practice Supervisors or Practice Assessors
Desirable
Master's degree.
Experience and Knowledge Essential
Experience of research based/reflective practice, e.g. understanding and ability to use supervision to reflect on skills, attitude and knowledge and develop these by using evidence based practice Significant relevant clinical experience.
Desirable
Experience of taking responsibility for a ward / clinical unit.
Skills and Abilities Essential
Able to provide quality care that is responsive to service user's needs, without close supervision.
Desirable
Problem solving, ability to identify problems, review options and take appropriate action without a predetermined framework.
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Address Eating Disorders Inpatient Unit, 4th Floor, New Douglas Bennett House, Gerald Russell Unit, Windsor Walk
London
SE5 8AZ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)