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Sussex Partnership NHS FoundationTrust

About

We provide NHS care and treatment for people living in south east England. Our mental health services provide care and treatment for people with conditions such as psychosis, depression, anxiety, dementia and personality disorder. Our vision is to provide outstanding care and treatment you can be confident in.

Contact

Address: Swandean; Arundel Road; Worthing; West Sussex; BN13 3EP
Contact Number: 01903 843000

Find out more

Jobs Website

Open

Ref: 354-CO-21706 Vacancy ID: 7312334

Director of Allied Health Professions

Accepting applications until: 02-Oct-2025 23:59

Vacancy status: Open

Accepting applications until: 02-Oct-2025 23:59

Location

Site: Portland House
Address: Richmond Road
Town: Worthing
Postcode: BN11 1HS
Major / Minor Region: West Sussex

Contract type & working pattern

Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week

Salary

Salary: £88,168 - £101,677 Per Annum
Salary period: Yearly
Grade: (8d)

Specialty

Main area: Administration

Come and join us

We're looking for people who share our values (compassion, accountability and optimism) to help us provide high quality care to the patients, carers, families and local communities we serve. We specialise in providing NHS mental health and learning disability services.

So what can we offer you in return?

We're an organisation which puts people first. We'll do everything possible to help you feel respected, valued and included. We'll help you learn, acquire new skills and gain further experience to support your career development. And we'll provide the opportunity for you to bring your fresh ideas to work about how we can do things differently and continue improving.

You will also be joining a health and care system committed to working together to do the best we can for the communities we serve. Above all, at Sussex Partnership you'll have the chance to make a difference to the lives of the patients, carers and families across our communities.

As a Trust we are committed in making a difference. Your development is important to us, so don't forget to ask us during interview what opportunities we can offer. We can offer fully funded lifelong learning opportunities such as an apprenticeship from GCSE to Masters level.

If you like the sound of that, then come and join our team.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The role includes a key focus on advancing research, continuous quality improvement, and innovation. The post holder will lead programmes that translate evidence into practice, contribute to the Trust’s research plan, and secure funding linked to AHP-led research and quality initiatives. They will actively support and promote a culture of continuous improvement through education, practice development, and academic partnerships.

The Director will represent the Trust and the AHP workforce in key system-level forums, including the AHP Council and relevant ICS clinical networks. They will lead the design and implementation of strategic education and development frameworks and ensure services are held accountable for delivering against agreed objectives.

The post holder will also ensure the appropriateness and robustness of clinical information and digital systems supporting AHP interventions across the Trust. They will play a lead role in ensuring service delivery aligns with Trust policies on equality, diversity, inclusion, and recovery-oriented practice.

The post holder will be responsible for the Food and Nutrition Trust wide plan working closely with the estates and facilities directorate to ensure adherence to CQC standards on food and nutrition and PLACE standards.

The post holder will have shared responsibility for the Falls Prevention Plan, working closely with the Deputy Chief Nurse and their physical health team to ensure adherence to best practice multi-professional clinical standards in falls prevention.

Please see the attached Job Description.

Sussex Partnership NHS FT is committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects our communities. Our workforce is currently under-represented from Black and Minority, Ethnic and disabled communities and we would welcome applications from these communities.

We regret that we are unable to advise candidates if they have not been shortlisted. If you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date please assume that you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

In the event of an excessive number of applicants the Trust reserves the right to close this vacancy earlier than indicated.

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust takes its responsibilities for the safeguarding and protection of children and young people and vulnerable adults very seriously and expects this of all its employees and bank workers. The Trust works with adult and children’s social care to ensure that the integrated service has systems in place to equip staff and bank workers with the knowledge and skills to recognize abuse, and take action to safeguard and protect vulnerable adults and children and young people. It is expected that all staff and bank workers familiarise themselves with the appropriate structures and policies and with the Sussex child protection and safeguarding procedures and the Sussex multi-agency policy and procedures for safeguarding vulnerable adults and undertake the relevant essential training and further training appropriate to their role.

Successful candidates are normally offered salaries at the bottom of the relevant salary range. However, where previous or equivalent NHS experience in a similar role can be demonstrated and evidenced, this may be taken into consideration when setting the starting salary.

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.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

Degree / Relevant AHP Professional Qualification
Evidence of post-qualification study at Doctoral/Masters level or equivalent plus additional specialist clinical training
Demonstrable evidence of robust and extended continuous professional development
Registration with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Management qualification at Masters level or equivalent experience
Leadership qualification at Masters level or equivalent experience
Relevant experience of system leadership working effectively across organisational boundaries
Proven track record of delivering complex, transformational change
Good understanding of efficiency savings, financial management and financial recovery plans
High level knowledge of national policy frameworks and AHP initiatives and the mental health and education economy

Knowledge/Experience

Essential criteria

Minimum of (3) years' experience of and demonstrable achievement in a Professional Lead/Consultant role
Extensive experience of providing successful clinical and managerial leadership within multi service, multidisciplinary mental health provider context
Experience of teaching, training and/or professional and clinical supervision at postgraduate/professional registrant and post - registration level
Measurable track record in involving and motivating staff to improve performance
Experience of successfully representing the profession and/or services in local, regional and national policy forums, across services or at equivalent level
Knowledge and understanding of key priorities and policy direction for Allied Health Professions
Knowledge and understanding of local demographics, population trends, workforce supply and demand issues impacting on AHP service delivery. Skills used to analyse highly complex facts or situations, interpretation, comparison of a range of options
Understanding of local and national governance and scrutiny requirements
Evidence of continuing professional development
Proven written and general communication skills within a multi -disciplinary setting
Experience of successful financial management, including management of costs and business development in large, complex organisations.