Job summary
The Ward Leader is responsible for the day-to-day leadership, management and delivery of high-quality care and rehabilitation within a community inpatient ward or clinical area.

The post holder provides clinical leadership, people management and operational oversight, ensuring that care is safe, effective, person-centred and delivered in line with professional standards, Trust values and national guidance. The role has direct accountability for patient experience, quality of care, staff performance, patient flow and efficient use of ward resources.

Main duties of the job
Working closely with the Clinical Matron, AHP Clinical Lead, Service Manager, Practice Development Lead, Head of Nursing and AHPs, medical staff and the wider multidisciplinary team, the Ward Leader provides a visible, accessible leadership presence on the ward and contributes to wider service objectives.

The role requires hands-on leadership, with a strong focus on quality assurance, staff development, operational grip and continuous improvement within the ward environment. The post holder may be required to rotate across community inpatient sites to support service delivery and resilience.

The post holder will be required to work weekends and bank holidays as part of a rota. Tasks required at weekends and bank holidays will include attending the system calls to represent NHFT.

About us
NHFT is an integrated primary care and mental health Trust, providing physical, mental health and specialty services in both hospital settings and out in the community. Because we put the person at the centre of all we do, we focus on delivering care that is as easy to access as possible. This means many of our services can be provided at home, work or in schools.

We also provide health services to various prisons and detention centres in Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.

Details
Date posted: 19 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year pa pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 270-TH464-AD
Closing date: 02 November 2026

Person Specification
Experience
Essential

• Experience of working within an inpatient setting
• Experience of working within a leadership role
• Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team

Desirable

• Previous use of NHFT's systems such as SystmOne and e-rostering

Qualifications
Essential

• Registered Nurse
• Post graduate qualification in rehabilitation or relevant experience

Desirable

• Experience of facilitating student placements
• Leadership qualification or relevant experience

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.

Employer details
Employer name: Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust
Address: Turn Furlong, Off Rookery Lane, Kingsthorpe, NN2 8BZ, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.nhft.nhs.uk/

For questions about the job, contact:
Service Manager, Richard Glasspool, Richard.Glasspool@nhft.nhs.uk

Apply through our website.