Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Complaints Manager

The closing date is 03 October 2025

Job summary

The post holder will be responsible for ensuring the effective day-to-day management of the complaints and PALS team within the Trust. To lead in facilitating negotiated solutions or resolution of issues as speedily as possible, in relation to the concerns of people, their carers and families. To be visible and approachable to people who use services, carers and their family and lead on the undertaking of the Patient Advice and Liaison Role.

The post holder will need to be able to ensure that people are treated appropriately, professionally and with respect during the complaints process and that the Trust values are visible in leadership behaviour.There is also a requirement to teach others best practice and key skills related to having difficult but open and honest conversations.The post holder will work in collaboration to increase people's awareness of how to raise a concern and support people giving feedback through multiple channels.

The post holder will take the lead on developing our People's Experience work across the Trust drawing together complaints/PALS feedback with our real time experience feedback.

Main duties of the job

o To manage the Complaints and PALS Teamo To build and maintain good relationships with clinical and non-clinical staff across Directorates and Departments.o To ensure the Trust adheres to the Complaints Regulations

  • Monitor and report on complaints and PALS performance
  • To build and maintain good relationships with key stakeholders and the local community.o Articulate the significance and potential impact of government policies as they relate to policy, practice, and its development.o Proactively work within the principles of being open and honest (Duty of Candour)o The post holder will deliver a training programme for all staff on complaints handling and specific training for investigating officers.

o The post holder will lead on the implementation and embedding of Ai technology (Quail) within complaint responses to ensure that it is being utilised optimally across the Trust.o To act as Liaison Officer when a complaint has been referred to the Ombudsman for investigation.

About us

Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is the leading provider of mental health, learning disability, neurodevelopmental and drug and alcohol services in Surrey and North East Hampshire. We support people of all ages and are passionate about providing high quality care that is delivered at the right time as close to home as possible to help people recover and stay well.

We are one of the top 10 mental Health, Learning Disability and Community Trust to work for nationwide. Our Trust is an inclusive and supportive employer that offers a wide range of staff networks, flexible working, free parking and excellent health and wellbeing support. We also provide a wide range of opportunities to help staff develop and progress.

Surrey is a beautiful county lying just 30 minutes away from Central London and from the South Coast. Our historic market towns and bustling districts are enveloped in wonderful countryside, and our excellent road and rail networks bring the rest of the country within easy reach. For international travel, both Gatwick and Heathrow airports are nearby.

Please note that we reserve the right to close posts as soon as sufficient applications are received.

Regrettably, due to UK Home Office requirements we cannot offer sponsorship for all our job roles.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the role.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Details

Date posted

09 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£50,008 to £56,908 a year Incl. 5% Fringe HCAS, pa, pro rata.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

325-7446939-CORP

Job locations

Surrey and Borders Partnership Trust Headquarters, Leatherhead

Mole Business Park, 18 Randalls Rd

Leatherhead

KT22 7AD


Job description

Job responsibilities

  • To manage the Complaints and PALs Team
  • To build and maintain good relationships with clinical and non-clinical staff across Directorates and Departments.
  • To ensure the Trust adheres to the Complaints Regulations
  • To build and maintain good relationships with key stakeholders and the local community.
  • Articulate the significance and potential impact of government policies as they relate to policy, practice, and its development.
  • Create an environment where staff see change as an essential element of health and social care, demonstrated through a quick and positive response in the face of the need for change.
  • Provide assistance to other members of the Nursing Directorate in delivering activities that may be deemed necessary to meet any safety, risk or quality requirements, where required.
  • Proactively work within the principles of being open and honest (Duty of Candour)
  • The post holder will deliver a training programme for all staff on complaints handling and specific training for investigating officers.
  • The post holder will lead on the implementation and embedding of Ai technology (Quail) within complaint responses to ensure that it is being utilised optimally across the Trust.
  • To ensure action plans arising from complaints are completed, monitored and implemented.
  • To act as Liaison Officer when a complaint has been referred to the Ombudsman for investigation.
  • To manage a log of all compliments received by the Trust.
  • Lead on supporting managers and staff regarding the implementation of the Trusts policies and procedures relating to the handling of complaints, including training at induction and within existing staff teams.
  • Lead on promoting awareness of the benefits of learning from handling complaints to improve service provision and influence a culture of fair blame, open and honest reporting and investigation.
  • Act as a Root Cause Analysis investigator for the Trust, where required.
  • Lead on the development and delivery of training packages to staff and managers relating to the management of complaints through inducted, targeted team training and awareness raising events.
  • Lead on creating a culture of learning, review and quality improvement.
  • Take advantage of both formal and informal settings to provide people with coaching and encouragement on complaint issues
  • Produce regular reports for Governance committees or related groups.
  • To provide help to people, their carers and families in accessing specialist advocacy or other voluntary services including interpreting services as appropriate.
  • Prepare and deliver presentations to publicise PALS to a range of stakeholders.
  • Provide support and training to managers and staff on PALS and ensuring a person-centered service.

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • To manage the Complaints and PALs Team
  • To build and maintain good relationships with clinical and non-clinical staff across Directorates and Departments.
  • To ensure the Trust adheres to the Complaints Regulations
  • To build and maintain good relationships with key stakeholders and the local community.
  • Articulate the significance and potential impact of government policies as they relate to policy, practice, and its development.
  • Create an environment where staff see change as an essential element of health and social care, demonstrated through a quick and positive response in the face of the need for change.
  • Provide assistance to other members of the Nursing Directorate in delivering activities that may be deemed necessary to meet any safety, risk or quality requirements, where required.
  • Proactively work within the principles of being open and honest (Duty of Candour)
  • The post holder will deliver a training programme for all staff on complaints handling and specific training for investigating officers.
  • The post holder will lead on the implementation and embedding of Ai technology (Quail) within complaint responses to ensure that it is being utilised optimally across the Trust.
  • To ensure action plans arising from complaints are completed, monitored and implemented.
  • To act as Liaison Officer when a complaint has been referred to the Ombudsman for investigation.
  • To manage a log of all compliments received by the Trust.
  • Lead on supporting managers and staff regarding the implementation of the Trusts policies and procedures relating to the handling of complaints, including training at induction and within existing staff teams.
  • Lead on promoting awareness of the benefits of learning from handling complaints to improve service provision and influence a culture of fair blame, open and honest reporting and investigation.
  • Act as a Root Cause Analysis investigator for the Trust, where required.
  • Lead on the development and delivery of training packages to staff and managers relating to the management of complaints through inducted, targeted team training and awareness raising events.
  • Lead on creating a culture of learning, review and quality improvement.
  • Take advantage of both formal and informal settings to provide people with coaching and encouragement on complaint issues
  • Produce regular reports for Governance committees or related groups.
  • To provide help to people, their carers and families in accessing specialist advocacy or other voluntary services including interpreting services as appropriate.
  • Prepare and deliver presentations to publicise PALS to a range of stakeholders.
  • Provide support and training to managers and staff on PALS and ensuring a person-centered service.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • oRelevant experience of which at least 2 years in a role related to the management of complaints and people's experience
  • oA clear understanding and a working knowledge of the Complaints regulations
  • . Managing Teams in a Senior Role.
  • Ability to identify issues, and implement solutions.
  • Ability to communication with others and at all levels.
  • Priority the Teams workload alongside your own workload

Desirable

  • Experience on using complaints Ai software

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of producing reports to show complaints performance and trends
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • oRelevant experience of which at least 2 years in a role related to the management of complaints and people's experience
  • oA clear understanding and a working knowledge of the Complaints regulations
  • . Managing Teams in a Senior Role.
  • Ability to identify issues, and implement solutions.
  • Ability to communication with others and at all levels.
  • Priority the Teams workload alongside your own workload

Desirable

  • Experience on using complaints Ai software

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of producing reports to show complaints performance and trends

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Surrey and Borders Partnership Trust Headquarters, Leatherhead

Mole Business Park, 18 Randalls Rd

Leatherhead

KT22 7AD


Employer's website

https://www.sabp.nhs.uk/working-for-us (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Surrey and Borders Partnership Trust Headquarters, Leatherhead

Mole Business Park, 18 Randalls Rd

Leatherhead

KT22 7AD


Employer's website

https://www.sabp.nhs.uk/working-for-us (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Associate Director for Experience & Participation

Sophie Bevan

sophie.bevan@sabp.nhs.uk

07796496870

Details

Date posted

09 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£50,008 to £56,908 a year Incl. 5% Fringe HCAS, pa, pro rata.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

325-7446939-CORP

Job locations

Surrey and Borders Partnership Trust Headquarters, Leatherhead

Mole Business Park, 18 Randalls Rd

Leatherhead

KT22 7AD


Supporting documents

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