About this role
Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced leader to provide strategic oversight of mental health legislation across the Trust. The post holder will lead the Mental Health Legislation service, ensuring compliance with the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Human Rights legislation and associated legal frameworks, while safeguarding the rights, dignity and wellbeing of service users.
Working closely with senior leaders, clinicians, regulators and external partners, you will provide expert advice, influence organisational strategy, develop policy, oversee audits and assurance processes, and support services to implement legislation effectively. You will lead on governance, risk management, quality improvement and regulatory compliance, ensuring the Trust remains responsive to legislative and policy developments.
The role includes responsibility for education and training programmes, implementation of legislative changes, oversight of Associate Hospital Managers, and leadership of the Mental Health Legislation Team. You will provide assurance to the Trust Board, drive continuous improvement and support the delivery of safe, effective and person-centred care.
This high-profile role requires extensive knowledge of mental health law, strong leadership and governance expertise, and the ability to work collaboratively across complex healthcare environments to deliver the highest standards of lawful and ethical practice.
Main duties of the job
The Head of Mental Health Legislation will provide strategic and operational leadership for the Trust's Mental Health Legislation service, ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements whilst safeguarding the rights of service users. The post holder will act as the Trust's expert advisor on the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and associated legislation, leading policy development, governance, audit, training and quality improvement activities. Working closely with senior leaders, clinical teams, regulators and external partners, the role will drive continuous improvement, provide assurance to the Trust Board and support the delivery of safe, effective and person-centred care across all services. The successful candidate will also lead and develop a specialist legislation team, oversee Mental Health Act governance processes, and ensure emerging legislative changes are successfully implemented across the organisation.
About us
#TeamNottsHC comprises over 11,000 dedicated colleagues who #MakeADifference every day. We deliver intellectual disability, mental health, community health, forensic, and offender healthcare services across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and South Yorkshire. Our care is provided from over 200 sites, spanning community locations, acute settings, and secure environments, including prisons.
We are one of the largest mental health and community Trusts in the East Midlands and one of Nottinghamshire's biggest employers. We also host national and regional services, such as the National High Secure Deaf Service and the Nottingham Centre for Transgender Health.
We offer a variety of employee-led staff networks, including Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) groups, the Green Champions network, the Freedom to Speak Up network, the Health and Wellbeing Champions network, and the Menopause Champions network. These networks play a vital role in supporting our diverse workforce and promoting a culture of inclusivity.
The health and wellbeing of colleagues is a top priority. We invest significantly in this through our in-house occupational health and staff counselling services, supported by a dedicated Health and Wellbeing team.
The Trust is committed to reducing its carbon emissions, with a specialised Energy and Environmental team working to ensure compliance with environmental legislation, enhance our environmental performance, and achieve our net-zero commitment.
Job description Job responsibilities
To be the Trust expert and lead on all matters and functions relating to mental health legislation (MHL), including the Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA) and the Mental Capacity Act (MCA), to ensure that the Trust operates in accordance with the requirements of both legislations, including associated Codes of Practice, Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards in relation to the Mental Health Act, Trust Policies and Procedures and accepted good practice.
To improve the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of the Trusts compliance with the mental health legislation across its services. To ensure that service users rights are protected and that due legal safeguards are in operation.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. The cost of the DBS application is £20.00 (standard) or £41.00 (enhanced), this cost will be deducted from your salary over the first 2 months of employment.You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. An annual fee of £15 per year applies.
Person Specification
Knowledge Essential
Expert, current knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983, Mental Capacity Act 2005, associated Codes of Practice and related mental health legislation. In-depth knowledge of human rights law, including the Human Rights Act 1998, as it applies to mental health services. Detailed knowledge of legal proceedings and challenges affecting implementation of mental health legislation, including the Court of Protection and First-tier Tribunal. Knowledge of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and the developing Liberty Protection Safeguards framework Detailed understanding of Care Quality Commission standards and regulatory expectations relating to the Mental Health Act. Knowledge of national and local health policy and the implications of legislative and policy change for NHS services. Knowledge of clinical governance, risk management, audit, quality assurance and continuous improvement. Understanding of organisational development, management and leadership principles.
Desirable
Knowledge of NHS commissioning, system partnership arrangements and wider legal processes relevant to mental health services. Understanding of research methods and evaluation approaches relevant to service improvement.
Experience Essential
Significant experience of managing services in a complex healthcare setting. Substantial experience applying the Mental Health Act 1983, Mental Capacity Act 2005 and associated Codes of Practice in practice. Experience of leading and managing teams, including objective setting, supervision, appraisal, learning and development, performance management and workload allocation. Successful track record of staff, financial, performance and change management. oSignificant experience of leading complex organisational change and service improvement. Experience of developing and implementing policy, governance systems, audit programmes and quality/performance reporting frameworks. Experience of identifying, managing and escalating legal, clinical and organisational risks. Experience of producing high-quality reports and assurance papers for senior committees and Boards. Evidence of building effective relationships with clinical leaders, service users, carers, partner organisations, regulators and other stakeholders. Experience of developing and delivering role-specific training.
Desirable
Experience of direct liaison with the Care Quality Commission in relation to Mental Health Act reviews or provider action statements. Experience of managing Associate Hospital Managers or supporting Mental Health Act managers' hearings and tribunals. Experience of managing a delegated budget and delivering cost improvement requirements. Experience of supporting quality improvement activity across clinical services.
Values and Behaviours Essential
All colleagues are expected to demonstrate that they act in line with Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Values: Trust Honesty Respect Compassion Teamwork All colleagues are expected to demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and how it applies to their role. The Trust's expectations are highlighted within our EDI Policy, and associated EDI and Human Rights legislation
Qualifications Essential
Registered Nurse, Social Worker or Allied Health Professional with current professional registration. Master's degree or equivalent level qualification or experience relevant to the role.
Desirable
Master's degree or postgraduate qualification in Mental Health Law or a closely related subject. Relevant leadership or management qualification.
Training Essential
Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to mental health legislation, leadership and governance. Up-to-date professional and statutory training appropriate to the role.
Desirable
Training in quality improvement, audit, change management or project/programme management. Formal training relating to the Court of Protection, First-tier Tribunal, DoLS or Liberty Protection Safeguards.
Skills Essential
Highly developed leadership skills, with the ability to lead, motivate and develop multidisciplinary teams through change. Ability to interpret complex legislation and national policy and translate requirements into clear organisational policy, procedures, advice and practical action. Advanced analytical and judgement skills, including the ability to evaluate highly complex information, develop options and make authoritative recommendations. Excellent written, verbal, presentation, negotiation and influencing skills, including communicating highly complex, sensitive or contentious information to varied audiences. Ability to resolve conflict and work constructively where there are significant barriers to acceptance or resistance to change. Ability to plan and lead complex programmes of work, balancing competing priorities and tight deadlines. Ability to work autonomously as the Trust expert, exercising sound professional judgement and seeking advice where appropriate. High-level numerical and performance analysis skills, including interpreting performance against strategic objectives and providing expert opinion. Advanced IT skills, including Microsoft Office and software used to prepare performance, governance and Board reports. Ability to develop and deliver effective training for clinical, managerial and administrative staff. Commitment to service-user rights, legal safeguards, equality, diversity, inclusion and continuous improvement.
Desirable
Project or programme management skills. Quality improvement methodology and facilitation skills.
Contractual Requirements Essential
Able to travel frequently across Trust locations and occasionally beyond Nottinghamshire. Able to work flexibly and, on occasion, outside normal working hours to meet service requirements and deadlines. Willing and able to undertake any DBS check required for the post. Maintains current professional registration throughout employment. Complies with Trust requirements for safeguarding, infection prevention and control, data quality, equality and diversity, and sustainability.
Desirable
A full UK driving licence and vehicle for business use is required for this post; however reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled individuals in line with the Equality Act 2010.
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 Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Address Duncan Macmillan House
Porchester Rd
Mapperley
NG3 6AA
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.nottinghamshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)