Operational Service Manager - CAMHS

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced leader to join our CAMHS West team as an Operational Service Manager. In this role, you will play a key part in shaping and delivering high-quality mental health services for children and young people across Somerset. You will provide operational leadership and strategic oversight, ensuring that services are safe, effective, and responsive to the needs of our communities.

The post holder will work closely with the CAMHS Service Manager to drive service improvement, modernisation, and innovation. You will lead on workforce planning, performance management, and resource allocation, ensuring that our teams are supported to deliver outstanding care. This role requires a strong commitment to collaborative working, both within CAMHS and with external partners such as social care, education, and voluntary organisations.

You will be responsible for managing budgets, meeting key performance indicators, and ensuring compliance with national policy and local commissioning requirements. As a senior leader, you will also deputise for the CAMHS Service Manager when required, representing the service at internal and external meetings and contributing to strategic decision-making.

If you are passionate about improving mental health outcomes for children and young people, have excellent leadership skills, and thrive in a dynamic environment, we would love to hear from you.

• Provide operational leadership and strategic direction for CAMHS West community teams.
• Ensure services meet performance targets, quality standards, and commissioner requirements.
• Manage budgets and resources effectively, identifying and implementing savings initiatives where required.
• Lead recruitment, induction, and ongoing development of staff, ensuring appropriate skill mix and adherence to safeguarding policies.
• Oversee clinical governance, audit, and service evaluation to maintain high standards of care.
• Act as a key liaison with internal teams and external partners, fostering collaborative working relationships.
• Deputise for the CAMHS Service Manager as required.

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card
, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce
, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty
, and breathtaking coastlines
, with vibrant cities like Bristol
, Bath
, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London
.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities
, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

• Service Delivery & Quality: Ensure CAMHS services are delivered to the highest standards, aligned with operational plans and national guidance.
• Leadership & Management: Provide direct line management to CAMHS practitioners, conduct appraisals, and maintain mandatory training compliance.
• Financial Responsibility: Manage team budgets, authorise expenditure, and ensure efficient use of resources.
• Policy & Governance: Interpret and implement Trust policies, contribute to policy development, and lead clinical audits and benchmarking.
• Clinical Support: Offer professional advice, support complex assessments, and contribute to risk management plans.
• Partnership Working: Collaborate with social services, education, and voluntary sector organisations to develop integrated care pathways.
• Safeguarding: Ensure rigorous adherence to child protection policies and procedures.
• Other Duties: Participate in Trust-wide projects, attend management meetings, and handle unpredictable tasks such as complaints, safeguarding cases, and staff investigations.

For further enquiries or informal conversations please make contact with Rebecca Coram.

• Recognised professional qualification in psychiatric / mental health nursing, social work, occupational therapy, psychology
• Evidence of post qualifying professional development
• Management qualification - Masters or working towards this
• Post-qualifying training in therapeutic interventions (e.g. CBT, solution focused therapy)

• Experience of managing staff (preferably with a qualification in…