Job summary
Are you an experienced and compassionate leader ready to shape the future of community mental health care?
We are looking for a dynamic and strategic Operational Service Manager to lead our Specialist Psychological Interventions (SPI) Service across the Bridgwater and Minehead areas.
This is a unique opportunity to take on a countywide leadership role, overseeing the delivery of innovative, evidence-based psychological care for individuals with severe and enduring mental health conditions. As the Operational Service Manager, you will play a vital role in ensuring the SPI service provides high-quality, person-centred care that promotes recovery, resilience, and independence.
You will lead a diverse, multidisciplinary team of professionals, including psychological therapists, clinical psychologists, and other specialist roles. In this post, you'll not only be responsible for day-to-day operational management and strategic service development but also have the opportunity to contribute clinically, maintain a caseload if desired.
This role is ideal for someone with a strong background in adult mental health services, operational leadership, and staff development, who thrives in collaborative environments and is passionate about improving patient outcomes. If you're looking to make a meaningful difference at a system level, while supporting and empowering both patients and staff, we'd love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
As Operational Service Manager, you will:
- Lead the countywide SPI service, managing a multidisciplinary team including psychologists, psychological therapists, and associated professionals.
- Deliver seamless, integrated community mental health support for adults with complex needs.
- Provide operational leadership in areas including workforce planning, clinical supervision, recruitment, performance management, and financial oversight.
- Maintain clinical involvement, potentially including a clinical caseload, and participate in the manager on-call rota.
- Act as a key liaison across services, ensuring partnership working with primary and secondary care, social services, and voluntary sector partners.
- Promote staff wellbeing and development, embedding a culture of continuous improvement and compassionate leadership.
- Will be expected to participate in the Manager on-call rota.
- You must have a full driving licence and have permanent access to own transport with appropriate business insurance.
About us
As an organisation, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust offers employees a wide range of benefits including flexible working, NHS pension scheme, generous annual leave allowance and a commitment to career development.You will be eligible for our Blue Light Card and a wide range of NHS exclusive shopping & leisure discounts.We are proud of our skilled, diverse workforce and as an inclusive employer we welcome applications from all backgrounds.Working in Somerset enables you to enjoy the idyllic countryside, areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines whilst still only being a stone's throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London.There are excellent educational facilities in the area and, when compared to other regions, house prices are reasonable.Somerset offers the countryside and the cosmopolitan -- there is truly something for everyone!
Job description
Job responsibilities
Operational Management
- Lead the countywide Specialist Psychological Interventions (SPI) service across the Community Mental Health Service (CMHS).
- Directly line manage a multidisciplinary team including psychologists, psychological therapists, and related professionals.
- Oversee recruitment, supervision, performance, workforce planning, and skill mix to ensure efficient service delivery.
- Be accountable for the SPI service budget, including monitoring expenditure and delivering cost-effective care.
- Participate in the senior manager on-call rota and respond to service needs across locations.
Clinical Responsibilities
- Provide clinical leadership and, where appropriate, maintain a clinical caseload.
- Support and supervise complex assessments and psychological interventions for individuals with severe mental health conditions.
- Uphold high standards of clinical governance, professional conduct, and ethical care.
- Act as an advocate for patients and carers, ensuring care is person-centred and recovery-focused.
Quality, Governance and Risk
- Lead on service audits, quality improvement, and the implementation of evidence-based practices.
- Investigate incidents and complaints in line with Trust policy, promoting a culture of openness and learning.
- Ensure adherence to safeguarding protocols, infection control, and health & safety standards.
Partnership and Collaborative Working
- Develop strong working relationships across primary care, secondary mental health services, social care, and the voluntary sector.
- Work closely with the Head of Community Mental Health Services, Lead for Psychology, and CMHS Managers to support integrated care.
- Represent the SPI service in strategic planning and service development forums across the Trust and ICS.
Staff Development and Supervision
- Provide clinical and managerial supervision to staff and ensure annual appraisals and personal development plans are in place.
- Promote staff wellbeing and resilience, supporting the emotional demands of working in mental health.
- Create a learning environment that encourages research, teaching, mentoring, and reflective practice.
Information and Administration
- Ensure accurate and timely documentation and data input for service evaluation and reporting.
- Use IT systems and data securely and in line with Trust information governance policies.
- Provide written reports, policy input, and service-related documentation as required.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Operational Management
- Lead the countywide Specialist Psychological Interventions (SPI) service across the Community Mental Health Service (CMHS).
- Directly line manage a multidisciplinary team including psychologists, psychological therapists, and related professionals.
- Oversee recruitment, supervision, performance, workforce planning, and skill mix to ensure efficient service delivery.
- Be accountable for the SPI service budget, including monitoring expenditure and delivering cost-effective care.
- Participate in the senior manager on-call rota and respond to service needs across locations.
Clinical Responsibilities
- Provide clinical leadership and, where appropriate, maintain a clinical caseload.
- Support and supervise complex assessments and psychological interventions for individuals with severe mental health conditions.
- Uphold high standards of clinical governance, professional conduct, and ethical care.
- Act as an advocate for patients and carers, ensuring care is person-centred and recovery-focused.
Quality, Governance and Risk
- Lead on service audits, quality improvement, and the implementation of evidence-based practices.
- Investigate incidents and complaints in line with Trust policy, promoting a culture of openness and learning.
- Ensure adherence to safeguarding protocols, infection control, and health & safety standards.
Partnership and Collaborative Working
- Develop strong working relationships across primary care, secondary mental health services, social care, and the voluntary sector.
- Work closely with the Head of Community Mental Health Services, Lead for Psychology, and CMHS Managers to support integrated care.
- Represent the SPI service in strategic planning and service development forums across the Trust and ICS.
Staff Development and Supervision
- Provide clinical and managerial supervision to staff and ensure annual appraisals and personal development plans are in place.
- Promote staff wellbeing and resilience, supporting the emotional demands of working in mental health.
- Create a learning environment that encourages research, teaching, mentoring, and reflective practice.
Information and Administration
- Ensure accurate and timely documentation and data input for service evaluation and reporting.
- Use IT systems and data securely and in line with Trust information governance policies.
- Provide written reports, policy input, and service-related documentation as required.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Current professional registration (e.g., HCPC, NMC, or equivalent).Evidence of continued professional development (CPD).Experience managing services across multiple sites or on a countywide level.Experience working in service user/carer co-production models.
Desirable
- Management training or qualification.
- Postgraduate training (e.g. diploma/masters) in a relevant clinical or leadership field.
Experience
Essential
- Minimum 4 years' post-qualification experience in adult mental health, specifically with severe and enduring mental illness.Proven experience in operational and/or clinical service management.Experience in staff supervision and development.Evidence of leading or contributing to service development or project work.Experience working in multidisciplinary and multi-agency contexts.
Desirable
- Involvement in research or evidence-based practice initiatives.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Strong understanding of relevant legislation, national guidance, and policy in mental health services.
- Ability to lead and manage a diverse team.
- Skills in clinical supervision and/or mentorship.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and organisational skills.
- Able to work independently and under pressure, managing competing priorities.
- Full UK driving licence and access to own transport
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Current professional registration (e.g., HCPC, NMC, or equivalent).Evidence of continued professional development (CPD).Experience managing services across multiple sites or on a countywide level.Experience working in service user/carer co-production models.
Desirable
- Management training or qualification.
- Postgraduate training (e.g. diploma/masters) in a relevant clinical or leadership field.
Experience
Essential
- Minimum 4 years' post-qualification experience in adult mental health, specifically with severe and enduring mental illness.Proven experience in operational and/or clinical service management.Experience in staff supervision and development.Evidence of leading or contributing to service development or project work.Experience working in multidisciplinary and multi-agency contexts.
Desirable
- Involvement in research or evidence-based practice initiatives.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Strong understanding of relevant legislation, national guidance, and policy in mental health services.
- Ability to lead and manage a diverse team.
- Skills in clinical supervision and/or mentorship.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and organisational skills.
- Able to work independently and under pressure, managing competing priorities.
- Full UK driving licence and access to own transport
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
