Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Non-executive Directors

The closing date is 05 January 2026

Job summary

*Applications to be sent to england.chairsandneds@nhs.net quoting reference S3381

We have vacancies for two Non-Executive Directors (NED) at Devon Partnership NHS Trust (DPT). This is an exceptional opportunity to share your talents & expertise to make a positive difference to the lives of people served by the Trust. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing and are looking for new Non-Executive Directors to support our work.

You will need to have a genuine commitment to patients & the promotion of excellent health care services.

You will have excellent demonstratable senior level experience as follows:

  • Previous NED experience with an organisation of similar size and complexity of DPT
  • Strong strategic capabilities
  • Experience of operating in highly regulated environments
  • Must be capable of chairing sub-board meetings with credibility & effectiveness
  • Must be able to demonstrate strong inter-personal skills/relationships
  • Must have a demonstrable passion for mental health & learning disability services
  • Must have strong connection with area served by the Trust

In addition, for the first role a specialism in digital & AI at a senior level ideally combining practical business experience as well as an academic or research background in digital and AI.

For the second role, extensive experience of delivering transformational change at scale and pace in organisation of similar size and complexity as DPT where workforce buy in to change was a key factor in successful delivery.

Main duties of the job

For both roles, we will particularly keen to hear from applicants with an interest and experience in inclusion and diversity and lived experience of mental health/learning disabilities services.

As a future NHS leader, the successful candidates will be able to demonstrate that they meet the NHS leadership competency framework for board members(please see the candidate information pack attached for the six domains).

The competency domains are aligned to Our NHS People Promise, Our Leadership Way and the Seven Principles of Public Life(Nolan Principles)See Supporting Links

Applicants should live in or have strong connections with the area served by the Trust.

The best boards are those that reflect the workforce and communities they serve. We particularly welcome applications from women, people from local black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, and people with disabilities, who we know are all under-represented in these important roles.

*Applications should be sent to england.chairsandneds@nhs.net quoting reference S3381

Find out more

  • We strongly recommend an informal and confidential discussion with Andy Willis, the Chair of the Trust. Please contact the Chair and Chief Executives Office on 01392 208662 or by emailing dpt.chairandchiefexecoffice@nhs.net
  • NHS England for general process enquiries contact Helen Barlow by emailing helen.barlow2@nhs.net

About us

About Devon Partnership Trust

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Details

Date posted

28 November 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£13,000 a year standard rate for all NEDs

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Flexible working

Reference number

C9369-25-0951

Job locations

Wonford House

Dryden Road

Exeter

Devon

EX2 5AF


Job description

Job responsibilities

The competency domains are aligned to Our NHS People Promise, Our Leadership Way and the Seven Principles of Public Life (Nolan Principles).

The six NHS leadership competency domains

1. Driving high-quality and sustainable outcomes

The skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to deliver and bring about high quality and safe care and lasting change and improvement from ensuring all staff are trained and well led, to fostering improvement and innovation which leads to better health and care outcomes.

2. Setting strategy and delivering long-term transformation

The skills that need to be employed in strategy development and planning, and ensuring a system wide view, along with using intelligence from quality, performance, finance and workforce measures to feed into strategy development.

3. Promoting equality and inclusion, and reducing health and workforce inequalities

The importance of continually reviewing plans and strategies to ensure their delivery leads to improved services and outcomes for all communities, narrows health and workforce inequalities, and promotes inclusion.

4. Providing robust governance and assurance

The system of leadership accountability and the behaviours, values and standards that underpin our work as leaders. This domain also covers the principles of evaluation, the significance of evidence and assurance in decision making and ensuring patient safety, and the vital importance of collaboration on the board to drive delivery and improvement.

5. Creating a compassionate, just and positive culture

The skills and behaviours needed to develop great team and organisation cultures. This includes ensuring all staff and service users are listened to and heard, being respectful and challenging inappropriate behaviours.

6. Building a trusted relationship with partners and communities

The need to collaborate, consult and co-produce with colleagues in neighbouring teams, providers and systems, people using services, our communities, and our workforce. Strengthening relationships and developing collaborative behaviours are key to the integrated care environment.

Applications will be assessed on merit, as part of a fair and open process, from the widest possible pool of candidates. The information provided by applicants will be relied on to assess whether sufficient personal responsibility and achievement have been demonstrated in previous/other roles, to satisfy the experience being sought.

The best boards are those that reflect the workforce and communities they serve. We particularly welcome applications from applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups and people living with disabilities, who we know are all under-represented in these important roles.

  • Applicants should live in or have strong connections with the area served by the trust.
  • On average this role will require the equivalent to 2 to 5 days a month, however the time commitment may vary and a flexible approach should be taken.
  • The remuneration payable for this role is £13,000 (standard rate for all NEDs) per annum.

Given the significant public profile and responsibility members of NHS Boards hold, it is vital that those appointed inspire confidence of the public, patients and NHS staff at all times. NHS England and the Trust make a number of specific background checks to ensure that those we appoint are fit and proper people to hold these important roles.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The competency domains are aligned to Our NHS People Promise, Our Leadership Way and the Seven Principles of Public Life (Nolan Principles).

The six NHS leadership competency domains

1. Driving high-quality and sustainable outcomes

The skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to deliver and bring about high quality and safe care and lasting change and improvement from ensuring all staff are trained and well led, to fostering improvement and innovation which leads to better health and care outcomes.

2. Setting strategy and delivering long-term transformation

The skills that need to be employed in strategy development and planning, and ensuring a system wide view, along with using intelligence from quality, performance, finance and workforce measures to feed into strategy development.

3. Promoting equality and inclusion, and reducing health and workforce inequalities

The importance of continually reviewing plans and strategies to ensure their delivery leads to improved services and outcomes for all communities, narrows health and workforce inequalities, and promotes inclusion.

4. Providing robust governance and assurance

The system of leadership accountability and the behaviours, values and standards that underpin our work as leaders. This domain also covers the principles of evaluation, the significance of evidence and assurance in decision making and ensuring patient safety, and the vital importance of collaboration on the board to drive delivery and improvement.

5. Creating a compassionate, just and positive culture

The skills and behaviours needed to develop great team and organisation cultures. This includes ensuring all staff and service users are listened to and heard, being respectful and challenging inappropriate behaviours.

6. Building a trusted relationship with partners and communities

The need to collaborate, consult and co-produce with colleagues in neighbouring teams, providers and systems, people using services, our communities, and our workforce. Strengthening relationships and developing collaborative behaviours are key to the integrated care environment.

Applications will be assessed on merit, as part of a fair and open process, from the widest possible pool of candidates. The information provided by applicants will be relied on to assess whether sufficient personal responsibility and achievement have been demonstrated in previous/other roles, to satisfy the experience being sought.

The best boards are those that reflect the workforce and communities they serve. We particularly welcome applications from applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups and people living with disabilities, who we know are all under-represented in these important roles.

  • Applicants should live in or have strong connections with the area served by the trust.
  • On average this role will require the equivalent to 2 to 5 days a month, however the time commitment may vary and a flexible approach should be taken.
  • The remuneration payable for this role is £13,000 (standard rate for all NEDs) per annum.

Given the significant public profile and responsibility members of NHS Boards hold, it is vital that those appointed inspire confidence of the public, patients and NHS staff at all times. NHS England and the Trust make a number of specific background checks to ensure that those we appoint are fit and proper people to hold these important roles.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • How to Apply: Applications should be sent to england.chairsandneds@nhs.net, quoting reference S3381
  • Please ensure you have read the NHS NED Info pack attached to the advert and you complete the S3381 Devon Partnership NHS Trust Public interest and diversity monitoring form when submitting your application.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • How to Apply: Applications should be sent to england.chairsandneds@nhs.net, quoting reference S3381
  • Please ensure you have read the NHS NED Info pack attached to the advert and you complete the S3381 Devon Partnership NHS Trust Public interest and diversity monitoring form when submitting your application.

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

Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Wonford House

Dryden Road

Exeter

Devon

EX2 5AF


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Wonford House

Dryden Road

Exeter

Devon

EX2 5AF


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Andy Willis via Chair and Chief Executives Office

dpt.chairandchiefexecoffice@nhs.net

01392208662

Details

Date posted

28 November 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£13,000 a year standard rate for all NEDs

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Flexible working

Reference number

C9369-25-0951

Job locations

Wonford House

Dryden Road

Exeter

Devon

EX2 5AF


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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