Deputy Ward Manager

Job summary
The Deputy Ward Manager will support the Ward Manager in providing strong clinical and operational leadership on Medlock Ward, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective, and high-quality care to women experiencing acute mental health difficulties.

The post holder will be responsible for coordinating the day-to-day clinical activities of the ward, providing visible leadership to the multidisciplinary team, and promoting a recovery-focused, trauma-informed, and least restrictive approach to care. They will work closely with the Ward Manager to maintain high standards of patient care, patient experience, staff wellbeing, quality improvement, and governance.

As an experienced Registered Mental Health Nurse within female services, the Deputy Ward Manager will act as a role model for professional practice, supporting staff development, clinical supervision, and adherence to Trust policies and professional standards. They will contribute to the management of risk, safeguarding, patient flow, and incident investigation while ensuring care is delivered in accordance with the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, and national best practice guidance.

In the absence of the Ward Manager, the Deputy Ward Manager will assume responsibility for the operational and clinical management of Medlock Ward, ensuring that staffing resources are deployed effectively and that the ward environment remains safe, therapeutic, and responsive to the needs of service users and carers.

Main duties of the job

• Support the Ward Manager in providing clinical and operational leadership on Medlock Ward.
• Coordinate the day-to-day running of the ward, ensuring safe, high-quality, recovery-focused care.
• Lead shifts, manage staffing resources, and ensure effective patient flow.
• Undertake and oversee assessments, care planning, risk management, and safeguarding processes.
• Act as a clinical role model, promoting best practice and adherence to Trust policies and professional standards.
• Provide supervision, mentorship, and support to nursing and support staff.
• Contribute to recruitment, appraisal, performance management, and staff development.
• Monitor quality standards, participate in audits, and support quality improvement initiatives.
• Investigate incidents, complaints, and concerns, ensuring learning is embedded into practice.
• Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team, patients, carers, and partner agencies.
• Deputise for the Ward Manager in their absence, maintaining responsibility for the safe and effective operation of the ward.

About us
Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 122 locations.

We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.

Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.

Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.

Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.

Details
Date posted: 29 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number: 437-8144468
Job locations: Moorside Unit, Moorside Unit, Manchester, M41 5SL, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
Please see Job description and Person Specification.

Staff benefits

• Pay Enhancements
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
• Excellent pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary sacrifice car scheme
• Wellbeing programme
• Blue Light Card Discounts
• fuelGenie Fuel Cards (for applicable roles)

Person Specification
Education and Experience
Essential

• NMC Registered
• Post-preceptorship
• Evidence of supervising students

Desirable

• Experience working in PICU or acute mental health settings
• Supervision of junior staff

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Essential

• Good knowledge of the Mental Health Act
• Delegation, Leadership skills
• Participation in Quality Improvements

Desirable

• Planning off-duty
• Audit experience
• ILS Trained

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.

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).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).