Ward Manager

Ward Manager (Band
7)

Closing date: 31 July 2026

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. If it is identified that you require sponsorship to undertake this role your application may be withdrawn.

Fixed term to cover maternity leave.

We are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity for a Band 7 Ward Manager to join our Inpatient Forensic Mental Health Service based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

You will join Willow Ward, a 20‑bed rehabilitation ward that provides continuing support to people in their recovery. Many service users are assisted to increase their daily living and community skills and experience much greater independence prior to discharge.

The service provides quality evidence‑based nursing advice, support and care for patients and families of patients with mental health needs. Working as part of a multi‑disciplinary team you will carry overall continuing responsibility for the management and leadership of the ward including administration, coordination, assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care and the setting and auditing of standards of care.

You will act as a role model, supporting your team to deliver the highest standards of care and providing opportunities for continuing professional development.

We are a 24/7 365‑day service. Where the service can support, flexibility may be accommodated to meet your needs, e.g. 9am‑5pm / 8am‑4pm. Some unsociable hours working may be expected (weekends/nights/bank holidays).

As the Ward Manager, you will ensure the effective management of a ward with day‑to‑day responsibility for managing the shift and bed management.

As part of this role, you will be expected to:

• Undertake assessments of individuals with complex mental health presentations, including those presenting with higher levels of risk.
• Ensure appropriate staff resources are planned and deployed to meet safe staffing requirements through rota management using Health Roster. Adjust rotas as necessary to address, for example, episodes of staff absence and requirements for increased observations.
• Develop in collaboration with the patient their care plan and their recovery plan.
• Offer specialist nursing assessment and advice where required.
• Take the lead in delivering therapeutic group work programmes as required.
• Provide clinical and managerial leadership on the ward.
• Overall responsibility for setting clinical and educational standards and monitoring and maintaining these standards.

• Registered Nurse with NMC
• Post‑registration experience and/or evidence of formal courses and training at post‑graduate diploma level

• Experience of developing, delivering and evaluating specialist programmes of care and risk management plans
• Evidence of successful mentoring and/or supervision of junior members of staff including students

• Knowledge of regulatory bodies and the requirements associated with this in terms of standards of service delivery, e.g. CQC

• Able to cope under pressure and provide reassurance and direction to other staff members

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.