About this role
Job summary
University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an exceptional leader to join us as Head of Vulnerable Adults and Complex Pathways.
Reporting to the Group Director of Nursing, Medical Care Group, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for vulnerable adults, mental health and complex care pathways across the Trust. Working closely with executive, clinical and operational leaders, you will drive service transformation, support the delivery of the Trust's Mental Health Strategy, and lead the development of innovative, person-centred services that improve quality, safety and patient outcomes.
This is an exciting opportunity to shape services for vulnerable adults and patients with complex needs across Dorset. You'll join a supportive senior leadership team and play a key role in delivering high-quality, compassionate care and improved outcomes for some of our most vulnerable patients.
If you are a strategic, compassionate and values-driven leader, we would welcome your application.
Interview Date: 3rd December 2026
Main duties of the job
- Professional registration (NMC, HCPC, Social Work England or equivalent).
- Master's level qualification or equivalent experience.
- Significant senior leadership experience in healthcare, social care, safeguarding, mental health or complex care services.
- A proven track record of service transformation, quality improvement and partnership working.
- Experience of operational, workforce and financial management.
- Excellent leadership, communication and influencing skills.
The post holder is expected to lead the strategic direction and policy setting for vulnerable adults, incorporating mental health services within UHD, forming an essential communications link between the wider nursing, medical, and Allied Health Professionals (AHP) / Health Care Scientists teams and operational teams. The post holder will be based within the Medical Care Group, leading the Mental Health Directorate and will work closely with members of the Care Group Triumvirate teams in all Care Groups (surgery, medicine, and specialities). The role will contribute to the implementation of a patient centred clinical operational strategy for the management and care of patients attending the Trust with Mental Health needs.
About us
UHD are investing, developing and transforming Trust services in line with the New Hospital Programme. As part of this, some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or permanently. Recruiting Managers will be happy to answer any service-specific questions at interview.
If a role or service relocates as part of a planned move, excess mileage will not be reimbursed. Travel from home to the new work base will be classed as a normal commute. Any other changes will be managed under Trust or national terms and conditions.
UHD has active networks including Women's, BAME, Pride, EU, Pro Ability, and Armed Forces. We support Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant interview schemes.
AI tools may be used, but applications must honestly reflect your own skills and experience. Integrity is key to our recruitment process.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Providing corporate leadership for Mental Health, strategic oversight of the MCA, and leadership across system partnerships to deliver integrated pathways for vulnerable adults.
- Be accountable for all aspects of service delivery, ensuring care is safe, effective, responsive, and aligned to Trust priorities, CQC standards, and system objectives.
- Provide highly visible, credible, and authoritative clinical leadership for nursing and AHP teams, promoting professional excellence, evidence-based practice, and improved patient outcomes.
- Ensure services are effective, well-coordinated, and responsive to the evolving needs of patients with mental health conditions, driving innovation and continuous quality improvement.
- Lead partnership working across the Integrated Care System (ICS), collaborating with community providers, local authority partners, mental health trusts and the voluntary sector to deliver integrated, person-centred pathways and improve population health outcomes.
- Contribute at place and system level to shared strategic priorities, ensuring seamless pathways and patient flow across acute, community, and mental health services.
- Provide senior leadership for safeguarding and MCA practice, ensuring robust systems, compliance with legislation, and assurance to the Trust Board and external regulators.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Relevant professional registration RN/RMN Registered Healthcare Professional (NMC, HCPC, Social Work England or equivalent recognised professional body).
- Master's degree or equivalent level of experience in healthcare, social care, leadership, management, or a related field.
Desirable
- Master's degree in leadership, Healthcare Management, Mental Health, Public Health or equivalent.
- Specialist qualification in Safeguarding, Mental Health, Learning Disabilities or Dementia Care.
Experience
Essential
- Significant senior leadership experience within health, social care, safeguarding and complex care services.
- Experience of operational management, workforce planning and budget management.
- Experience of partnership working across organisational boundaries.
Desirable
- Demonstrable experience of working collaboratively with local authorities, Integrated Care Systems (ICS), and third-sector partners.
Technical Skills
Essential
- Highly developed communication and negotiation skills, including the ability to influence senior stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams.
- Able to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery, maintaining focus on organisational priorities and patient outcomes.
Desirable
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage complexity and drive sustainable change.
Knowledge
Essential
- Extensive knowledge of safeguarding adults legislation and practice.
- Understanding of NHS operational flow, discharge processes and reduction of delayed discharges.
Desirable
- Expert knowledge of safeguarding adults legislation, policy, and best practice
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
University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Royal Bournemouth Hospital
Castle Lane East
Bournemouth
BH7 7DW
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.uhd.nhs.uk/careers (Opens in a new tab)