Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Deputy Ward Manager working within the Psychological Medicine and Older Adult Directorate of the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.

Chelsham House provides person centred treatment and care to older adults with acute needs associated with their Dementia, through a well-established multidisciplinary team. Our patients are older adults who have mental health difficulties and / or Dementia and require specialist in-patient care prior to moving back into the community or on to other specialised settings.

Main duties of the job
About the role:

You will work closely with the Ward Manager to provide full clinical and managerial leadership to ensure the effective provision, management and development of service delivery, whilst encouraging a person-centred, therapeutic environment for our patients.

We offer a number of opportunities including regular supervision, comprehensive CPD packages and the opportunity to be involved in the development of Chelsham ward to be the most therapeutic and inclusive environment possible for our patients and their relatives and carers. All staff members take part in a comprehensive induction and there will be opportunities to develop clinical and specialist skills in this area.

Working for the Psychological Medicine and Older Adult Directorate ensures personal and career development by attending collaborative Leadership and Nursing Councils, which all nurses are encouraged to engage with as it is an opportunity to shape nursing practice and have a say in policy development.

The Councils enable staff to network with senior management of both the Directorate and Trust.

About us
The South London Mental Health and Community Partnership (SLP) is a collaboration between Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, and South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust, delivering mental health services to a population of more than three million people.

The partnership brings together clinical expertise, experience and innovation, aiming to improve quality, use resources most effectively, and deliver best practice consistently to all patients.

Details
Date posted: 14 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £45,953 to £54,254 a year per annum inclusive of HCAS
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 334-NUR-8322640-LF
Job locations: Chelsham House, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 3BX, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

• As a Deputy Ward Manager you will promote and develop clinical leadership and clinical practice and be a positive role model to junior members of the team through the practice of evidence-based care.
• You will be expected to support professional development through clinical appraisal and supervision and contribute to the ongoing educational programme for staff, fostering a positive learning environment.
• The post holder will deliver, or advise on the delivery of, high quality safe nursing care, ensuring consistently high standards of practice and clinical excellence which comply with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) code of professional conduct.
• The post holder will oversee medication management supporting Band 4 and Band 5 nurses to shift coordinate and run shifts.
• The post holder will deal with matters entailing to other disciplines: providing information, acting on instructions given, liaising with other staff within the Trust and other professionals.
• The post holder will coordinate junior staff and oversee the admission and discharge of service users, ensuring needs of the patient and service including relevant legislative or required documentation are completed.

Please see separate job description for further details.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Registered Mental Health Nurse and/or Registered Learning Disabilities Nurse. (A)
• BSc in mental health or equivalent (A)
• Evidence of continuing professional development. (A)
• Evidence of successful completion of preceptorship. (A)

Desirable

• Master's degree. (A)
• Practice Assessor Course. (A)

Experience
Essential

• Experience of working with older age adults. (A/I)
• Experience of supporting and developing staff through supervision, coaching, feedback and ongoing professional development. (A/I)
• Experience of contributing to clinical, operational and governance meetings, ensuring actions are recorded, followed up and communicated effectively. (A/I)
• Experience of working in a multi-cultural environment, and knowledge of methods to develop culturally sensitive practice (A/I)
• Experience of research-based/reflective practice, e.g. understanding and ability to use supervision to reflect on skills, attitude and knowledge and develop these by using evidence-based practice. (A/I)

Desirable

• Experience of participating or developing new service initiatives. (A/I)
• Experience of taking responsibility for a ward / clinical unit. (A/I)
• Experience of engaging / supporting clinical research projects. (A/I)
• Experience of supporting practice development in clinical areas. (A/I)
• Experience of recruitment and selection of staff. (A/I)
• Experience of Dementia care. (A/I)

Knowledge and Skills
Essential

• Knowledge of clinical governance and audit. (A/I)
• Physically able to fulfil the requirements of the role, including undertaking SLTP and ILS as required. (A/I)
• Working knowledge of all relevant legislation associated with acute mental health care, including MHA, MCA, CPA procedures, Human Rights Act, Safeguarding Children and Safeguarding Adults. (A/I)
• Highly developed risk assessment and management skills. (A/I)
• Understanding of the role and function of other organisations providing services to people with mental ill-health. (A/I)
• Able to provide quality care that is responsive to service users' needs. (A/I)
• Resilient: able to cope with difficult interpersonal situations. (A/I)
• Demonstrates an approachable, supportive and professional manner with service users, carers and colleagues. (A/I)
• Demonstrates self-awareness, confidence and personal motivation to maintain high standards and inspire others. (A/I)
• Uses initiative and professional judgement to identify problems, consider options and take appropriate action where there is no predetermined framework. (A/I)
• Demonstrates a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, advocating for all individuals, including those with protected characteristics. (A/I)
• Flexibility to work shift patterns across 24 hours, 7 days a week and across all clinical areas as required

Desirable

• Skills in complaint management and conflict resolution. (A/I)
• Knowledge and practical application of CQC fundamental standards of care in an older adult mental health setting. (A/I)

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 (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name: South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Chelsham House, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 3BX, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.slam.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Ward Manager Hassan Mansaray, Hassan.Mansaray@slam.nhs.uk, 02032284373

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