Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Operational Lead, Community Adult Autism Services

The closing date is 24 March 2026

Job summary

Operational Lead in our Community Adult Autism Services

Do you

  • have a passion for working effectively and creatively with autistic people?
  • have a proven record of accomplishment in service improvement and innovative practice?
  • relish the challenge of supporting colleagues from all professional groups to deliver the best specialist services possible?

Are you committed

  • to co-production and working alongside experts by experience in service improvement initiatives?
  • to supporting staff well-being and feel driven to address the health inequalities faced by autistic people?

If your answer is yes, this may be the role for you.

As an active member of our Senior Leadership Team, you will have an integral and influential role across all our Learning Disability and Autism Services.

You will lead on innovation and development across these services. Inspiring, motivating, and empowering staff to deliver the highest possible standards of care.

We are keen to attract applicants who can support us to continue and expand upon the excellent work our teams deliver every day. The role incorporates clinical management and supervision, strategic leadership, operational management and education and development. We hope this opportunity excites you, if it does, please contact us for more information.

Main duties of the job

The Operational Lead for Community Adult Autism Services will be a highly motivated and skilled clinical leader, enabling and assuring the delivery of high-quality services for autistic adults. Carrying overall responsibility for the operational management and delivery of Adult Autism Service within the wider Learning Disability Directorate. The post holder will be responsible for maintaining the highest quality clinical standards within the Adult Autism Service.

Will have key relationships across the ICS with the Local Authority, Mental Health Services, the two Autism Hubs (Shropshire & Telford), the ICB, service user and carers' forums and will implement services and care in line with the evidence for best practice.

Work closely with Head of Specialised Services, other Operational Leads, the Head of Nursing, Clinical/Professional Leads and the Clinical Director in maintaining, developing and improving, the delivery of skilled professional and clinical interventions.

Ensure all staff are suitably skilled and competent to deliver reflective, evidence-based, person-centred interventions.

Work as a key member of the Specialist Learning Disabilities and Autism Directorate management team, providing strategic vision in the development of evolving, contemporary health care support for autistic people.

The role incorporates clinical management and supervision, strategic leadership, operational management and education and development to enable the highest quality service delivery.

About us

Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.

We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.

We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.

We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications

Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.

Details

Date posted

02 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

301-LG-26-7820127

Job locations

Hazeldine House (but flexible with the needs of the service, blended working available)

Telford

TF3 4JL


Job description

Job responsibilities

Responsible for

  • The operational leadership of the staff within the Adult Autism Service; the teams primary base is Shropshire Telford and Wrekin with a small service across South Staffordshire.
  • For ensuring implementation of national and local policy contributing to business planning and service development/improvement initiatives to maximise the quality and efficiency of the service.
  • The management of staff within the Adult Autism Service, providing operational leadership to oversee the safe and effective delivery of services within:

1. The Adult Autism Assessment Team

2. The Adult Autism Forensic Team

3. Mental Health Liaison for Autistic Adults

  • Prioritising key tasks and the ability to meet deadlines, having daily contact with a wide range of staff at all levels internal and external to MPFT including regular contact with service users, carers, partner organisations, external agencies and third sector organisations.
  • Holding a budget to support these clinical services.

This role isnot eligible for visa sponsorship. If it is identified that you require sponsorship to undertake this role your application may be withdrawn

Job description

Job responsibilities

Responsible for

  • The operational leadership of the staff within the Adult Autism Service; the teams primary base is Shropshire Telford and Wrekin with a small service across South Staffordshire.
  • For ensuring implementation of national and local policy contributing to business planning and service development/improvement initiatives to maximise the quality and efficiency of the service.
  • The management of staff within the Adult Autism Service, providing operational leadership to oversee the safe and effective delivery of services within:

1. The Adult Autism Assessment Team

2. The Adult Autism Forensic Team

3. Mental Health Liaison for Autistic Adults

  • Prioritising key tasks and the ability to meet deadlines, having daily contact with a wide range of staff at all levels internal and external to MPFT including regular contact with service users, carers, partner organisations, external agencies and third sector organisations.
  • Holding a budget to support these clinical services.

This role isnot eligible for visa sponsorship. If it is identified that you require sponsorship to undertake this role your application may be withdrawn

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • First level professional qualification in Nursing, AHP or Psychology
  • Relevant post-registration experience and/or evidence of formal courses and training at post graduate diploma level

Desirable

  • Qualifications/training in quality improvement methods
  • Training in leadership

Experience

Essential

  • Demonstrable experience of leadership skills and responsibilities
  • Significant demonstrable post qualification experience at Band 7 (or above).
  • Experience of working with Autistic Adults

Desirable

  • Experience of Quality Improvement initiatives
  • Experience of participating in admission avoidance initiatives
  • Experience in the data analysis
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • First level professional qualification in Nursing, AHP or Psychology
  • Relevant post-registration experience and/or evidence of formal courses and training at post graduate diploma level

Desirable

  • Qualifications/training in quality improvement methods
  • Training in leadership

Experience

Essential

  • Demonstrable experience of leadership skills and responsibilities
  • Significant demonstrable post qualification experience at Band 7 (or above).
  • Experience of working with Autistic Adults

Desirable

  • Experience of Quality Improvement initiatives
  • Experience of participating in admission avoidance initiatives
  • Experience in the data analysis

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Hazeldine House (but flexible with the needs of the service, blended working available)

Telford

TF3 4JL


Employer's website

https://www.mpft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Hazeldine House (but flexible with the needs of the service, blended working available)

Telford

TF3 4JL


Employer's website

https://www.mpft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Head of Specialised Services

Calum Stronach

Calum.stronach@mpft.nhs.uk

07966877626

Details

Date posted

02 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

301-LG-26-7820127

Job locations

Hazeldine House (but flexible with the needs of the service, blended working available)

Telford

TF3 4JL


Supporting documents

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