Head of Vulnerable Adults & Complex Pathways

Detailed job description

and main 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 criteria

• 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 criteria

• 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 criteria

• 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 criteria

• Demonstrable experience of working collaboratively with local authorities, Integrated Care Systems (ICS), and third-sector partners.

Technical Skills

Essential criteria

• 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 criteria

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage complexity and drive sustainable change.

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Extensive knowledge of safeguarding adults legislation and practice.
• Understanding of NHS operational flow, discharge processes and reduction of delayed discharges.

Desirable criteria

• Expert knowledge of safeguarding adults legislation, policy, and best practice