About this role
Job summary
Ready to step into a role where your leadership truly makes a difference?
Join Ash Ward, a specialist 12-bed male low secure unit in Somerset, where you'll be at the heart of delivering compassionate, person-centred care to men with complex mental health needs. This is more than just a clinical role - it's your opportunity to lead, inspire and shape the quality of care in a supportive and forward-thinking environment.
As a Clinical Lead, you'll play a pivotal role within the multi-disciplinary team, combining hands-on clinical expertise with confident leadership. You'll support and deputise for the Ward Manager, guiding the team to deliver outstanding care while driving continuous improvement and clinical excellence.
If you're passionate about making a real impact, developing others, and taking the next step in your leadership career - this is the role for you.
Main duties of the job
Coordinate and lead shifts, ensuring safe staffing levels and effective care deliveryDeliver and maintain a consistently high standard of clinical care for all patientsDeputise for the Ward Manager, supporting the day-to-day running of the wardProvide clinical leadership, supervision and support to nursing staff and HCAsWork closely with the multi-disciplinary team to assess, plan and review carePromote and embed clinical governance and quality improvement into daily practiceEnsure compliance with Trust policies, procedures and professional standardsSupport staff development through supervision, appraisal and mentorshipTake responsibility for risk management, clinical audits and service developmentAct as a keyworker, developing therapeutic relationships that support recovery
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
In this role, you'll take a lead in creating a safe, therapeutic and recovery-focused environment for patients on Ash Ward.
Working closely with the Ward Manager, you'll be responsible for coordinating clinical activity across the ward. This includes leading shifts, managing staffing effectively, and ensuring patient care is prioritised and delivered to a high standard. You'll be confident working both independently and collaboratively, setting the tone for best practice and professionalism within the team.
You'll play a central role in the clinical management of patients, supporting the planning, delivery and review of care within the multi-disciplinary team. You'll ensure that care plans are current, risk assessments are completed and reviewed, and that any changes in a patient's mental or physical health are recognised and acted upon promptly.
Leadership is a key part of this role. You'll provide guidance, supervision and support to junior staff, helping them to develop their skills and confidence. You'll contribute to a positive team culture, acting as a role model and promoting high standards of care, communication and teamwork.
You'll also work within relevant legal and professional frameworks, including the Mental Health Act and consent and capacity legislation. Safe medication management, accurate documentation, and adherence to professional standards will all be essential elements of your day-to-day practice.
Alongside your clinical responsibilities, you'll contribute to service development and improvement. This includes taking part in audits, supporting training, and ensuring that quality improvement and clinical governance are embedded into everyday practice.
The role can be both rewarding and challenging, as you'll be supporting individuals with complex mental health needs. You'll need resilience, empathy and excellent communication skills to build meaningful therapeutic relationships while maintaining professional boundaries.
Occasionally, you may be required to work in other areas of the Trust to meet service needs, offering you broader experience and development opportunities.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Relevant professional qualification and registration e.g. RMN
Desirable
Relevant degree or working towardsRelevant management and leadership experience/training/qualificationRelevant teaching assessment qualificationNVQ assessor/verifier
Experience Essential
Experience of carrying out supervision to junior staffProven experience of working with a relevant client group in a multi-agency service, presenting complex and sensitive information to large groups of people.Ability to demonstrate leadership skills and to act up in the absence of the person in charge.Experience of managing time and workload of self and others effectively and be able to delegate
Desirable
Evidence of taking lead in projectsExperience of electronic patient records/RiOExperience of carrying out research and developmentExperience of carrying out auditsTo have experience in being involved in service improvement
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 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)