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Job summary

Main area
Mental Health
Grade
Band 7
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
364-A-9626
Employer
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Ardleigh Ward
Town
Colchester
Salary
£47,810 - £54,710 Per Annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
17/12/2025 23:59
Interview date
22/12/2025

Employer heading

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust logo

Ward Manager - Ardleigh Ward

Band 7

Our Trust cares for more than 100,000 patients at any one time across our community health, mental health and learning disability services across Essex and parts of Bedfordshire and Suffolk. 

We want you to be part of our journey of transformation, where our patients and their families are at the heart of everything we do and to achieve our vision to be the leading health and wellbeing service in the provision of mental health and community care.

You’ll be part of a Trust where you will be supported to be your authentic self and be the best you can be, where we will help you to grow, develop and thrive. 

The Trust is recognised by the University of Essex and is a top provider of apprenticeships for people looking to be an assistant practitioner, senior health care support worker (CAP). Our trailblazing CAP apprenticeship won a national HSJ Award.

We are also recognised as a Veteran Aware Trust and holder of gold accreditation from the Ministry of Defence Employment Recognition Scheme. Our services are highlighted as an exemplar of good practice, producing the best care for more than 3.500 armed forces veterans in the past seven years. 

We have been shortlisted and won national awards. We are an inclusive organisation and Level 3 Disability Confident Leader Trust.

We are constantly innovating and looking for new ways to deliver care, such as using technology to enhance patient care and working with partners to launch new services such as the Basildon Mental Health Urgent Care Department, virtual hospitals and falls response cars.  

Join us and you’ll do the best work of your life – and make a difference to other people’s lives. What we do together, matters.

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen and we are in the position to recruit a Ward Manager to work on Ardleigh Ward, our female acute ward at The Lakes Mental Health Unit. The successful applicant will be responsible for the daily management of the ward.

The post holder is responsible for the overseeing of assessments of care needs and the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care for clients with mental health needs.  Participate in ward meetings, initiating and discussing new methods/models of care and the introduction to research or trials within a designated area.  Ensure the environment is maintained to high standards at all times.  Ensure all CQC standards are upheld at all times and the information is disseminated to all staff.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will be a competent practitioner with a proven record of leadership skills as a band 6 nurse and able to take responsibility for the overseeing assessments of care needs and the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care for client requiring treatment.  You will be able to demonstrate:

  • Excellent risk assessment skills,
  • Communicate effectively, both written and verbally;
  • Demonstrate compassion, understanding, commitment, enthusiasm,
  • Above all be highly motivated. 
  • An understanding of the Recovery Model approach is essential, taking into account the needs of families and carer’s, and become part of an established multidisciplinary team.
  • Experience of involvement in Quality Improvement Projects.
  • Active participation will be required in the training and education of learners allocated to the Mental Health Service, and to encourage integration between the Ward Team and the Crisis Resolution Home Treatment Team.

Working for our organisation

Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you. 

  • Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
  • Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
  • If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
  • We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication.

Benefits

  • 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service.
  • Excellent pension of up to14.5% of your pensionable pay.
  • Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
  • £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us
  • Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.

Work that wraps around your needs

  • Work bank: You can use the opportunity to supplement your income and develop your skills by working bank shifts.
  • Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
  • Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Key strategic responsibilities

  1. In liaison with the Consultant Practitioner/Clinical Manager, set objectives for the delivery of care, and the implementation and monitoring
  1. Responsible for updating own knowledge and ensuring all Mandatory and Core Practice Training is up to date at all times 
  1. Ensure full compliance with standards laid out in the Trusts CPA Policy is in place at all times. Upholding the principle for Admission Procedure is undertaken in accordance with CPA and Trust Policy, risk assessed and that discharges are pre-planned, and that all necessary agencies are informed.
  1. In line with the Trust’s visions uphold all principles of good ‘customer care’ including members of the public, other professional, patients and colleagues on the ward.
  1. Act at all times in accordance with: 
  • Midwifery and Nursing Council Code of Professional Practice 2015
  • Scope of Professional Practice
  • Standards for Medicines management 2008
  • Guidelines for Records and Record Keeping 2015
  • Revalidation from 2016
  1. In liaison with the Consultant Practitioner/Clinical Manager, ensure that Essex Partnership University Foundation NHS Trust Policies and Procedures are communicated, implemented and developed and that all staff are aware of the procedure to obtain all Policies and Procedure via the Trust Intranet web site.
  1. Inform the Consultant Practitioner on all breaches of nursing professional conduct as required by the NMC code of Professional Practice
  1. Work closely with the Executive Nurse in developing nursing practice across the ward.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Registration Mental Health Nurse RMN Part 3
  • Meet the requirements for revalidation as set out by the NMC
Desirable criteria
  • Registered General Nurse
  • Master’s degree or willingness to undertake this
  • Non-medical prescribing qualification

Work Experience & Attainments

Essential criteria
  • Proven experience of working in a health / social care or acute setting as part of a multi-disciplinary team
  • Experience of working with, supervising lower banded staff
  • Managing the care of service users with highly complex needs

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Ability to supervise and conduct highly complex assessments and review of care in line with the requirements of the mental health care clusters
  • Knowledge of working with external agencies to support the service user group
  • Provide clinical leadership to support the team to meet their key performance indicators and contractual targets

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyMenopause Friendly EmployerPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveDisability confident leaderImproving working livesArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Essex Family Friendly Employers

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Marina Laing
Job title
Interim Operational Service Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01206 228712
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