Ward Manager (Maple Ward) | South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust
| Posting date: | 26 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | £56,276 - £63,176 per annum inclusive of Inner London HCAs |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 28 March 2026 |
| Location: | Tooting, SW17 0YF |
| Company: | South West London and St Georges Mental Health Trust |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 7834801/294-AAUC-7732160-PC-A |
Summary
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of an innovative Short Stay mixed gender Psychiatric Ward operating on a maximum 28-day admission framework. The model integrates evidence-based approaches including robust gatekeeping processes, intensive multidisciplinary team (MDT) working, the Red to Green discharge facilitation approach, and strong integration with Home Treatment Teams (HTT) for both admission prevention and early supported discharge.
There will be an intensive front-loading of clinical activity in the first 72 hours upon admission, daily consultant-led reviews, seven-day therapy, activity and peer provision with a step-down to HTT once risk is containable in the community.
We are keen to welcome clinicians with previous experience of ward management, including extensive operational oversight of a team. You will need to demonstrate you are forward thinking with a proactive nature and excellent communication and relational skills. Championing patient centred care and collaboration with carers and families is critical to success in securing a position within the team.
The team is part of the acute and urgent care service line which covers the acute pathway including urgent care, inpatient care and Home treatment teams.
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of an innovative Short Stay mixed gender Psychiatric Ward operating on a maximum 28-day admission framework. The model integrates evidence-based approaches including robust gatekeeping processes, intensive multidisciplinary team (MDT) working, the Red to Green discharge facilitation approach, and strong integration with Home Treatment Teams (HTT) for both admission prevention and early supported discharge.
The post holder will:
• Be responsible for leading and managing the nursing team in order to promote a high standard of patient care.
• Have 24-hour managerial accountability and assume budgetary responsibility for the service.
• Ensure the ward environment is maintained to a high standard.
The post holder will be expected to promote, by example and leadership, a high standard of patient care, and provide effective leadership to the nursing team, developing innovative nursing practice where appropriate. Additionally, the post holder will be responsible for the development and maintenance of effective multi-disciplinary communication within the ward and create networks and development practices promoting effective multi-agency working in conjunction with the Ward Manager.
The post holder will be responsible for effective engagement with carers, families and/or significant others and seek to resolve any concerns or feedback in a positive and timely manner.
We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust.
We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as ‘good’ - we aspire to be ‘outstanding’.
This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services.
We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.
We offer flexible working, career development and a variety of benefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive.
About our locations:
Springfield University Hospital, Tooting
Our largest, 19-ward site is in Springfield Village, created following our £150m investment into two new world class mental health facilities. A 32-acre public park, shops and cafes are coming soon. Close to shops, cafes and Tooting Bec on the Northern Line plus Earlsfield and Tooting rail stations and bus routes.
Administrative
• To take responsibility for the Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults and Children.
• To co-ordinate bed management for the ward and monitor referrals in conjunction with medical staff.
• To lead in the recruitment, selection and retention of staff in the clinical area.
• To ensure the ward is adequately and safely staffed within the agreed budget and nursing resources are used efficiently to meet identified needs.
• To participate in budget setting and report areas of concern to the General Manager.
• To ensure that effective communication is established within the service and external departments e.g. attendance at regular staff meetings, attendance at Ward Manager’s meetings, and team briefing.
• To ensure ward hygiene, ward cleanliness and the maintenance of ward fabric, reporting deficiencies where appropriate to the Operational Manager and Modern Matron.
• To ensure systems are in place for the safekeeping of patient’s property.
• To ensure effective implementation, dissemination and monitoring of all Directorate and Trust-wide policies.
• To investigate complaints, accidents and critical incidents in accordance with agreed procedure and prepare timely reports.
• To provide monthly reports to the Operational Manager as required e.g. activity levels, bed occupancy, manpower and expenditure, staffing issues and any other information that the Operational Manager needs to be aware of.
Management
• To work closely with the Operational Manager and Modern Matron in the delivery of high quality mental health care.
• To manage the in-patient nursing team.
• To ensure effective management of the e-roster in order to provide consistency in nursing care and a reduction in agency use.
• To effectively manage the ward’s expenditure budget and ensure the most appropriate and cost effective use of resources within the remit of the nursing team
• To provide information where required to the Operational Manager in order to assist with performance reporting to the National Commissioning Team.
• To keep under constant review the overall provision and ongoing development of service delivery, ensuring high standards of professional care, open and transparent communication processes and adherence to the Trust policies, procedures and protocols and a safe and therapeutic environment.
• To have responsibility for the recruitment, selection and retention of nursing staff and to participate in the selection of other members of the multi-disciplinary team.
• To monitor sickness and absence of nursing staff.
• To keep nursing job descriptions under review, in order to develop roles to meet the needs of the service.
• To ensure an appropriate Clinical and managerial supervision structure is in place for all nursing staff.
• To ensure that all nursing staff have an annual development review.
• To ensure that appropriate guidance and education is available to nurses.
• To monitor continuing professional development for all nursing staff.
• To represent the service at various management meetings such as the Ward Managers Development day.
• To review and develop policies, procedures and protocols for the service and ensuring that these are implemented and monitored.
• To ensure that effective communication is established within the service and external departments e.g. attendance at regular staff meetings, attendance at Ward Manager’s meetings and team briefing.
• To investigate complaints, accidents and critical incidents in accordance with agreed procedure and prepare timely reports.
Clinical/Professional
• To be responsible for the assessment of care needs, and the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care and recovery for the clients.
• To work with the General Manager/Modern Matron to establish and maintain high standards of clinical practice and patient care including providing expert nursing leadership in the management of people with acute mental health problems.
• To ensure the named nurse system for patients is in operation on the ward as well as plan, organise and allocate staff with appropriate levels of skills and expertise to be the named nurse to selected group of patients.
• To ensure after-care at the appropriate level (CPA/Section 117) is arranged for each service user on discharge, depending on the individual needs, in conjunction with other disciplines, in particular achieving effective liaison and planning with community teams.
• To ensure that all staff members are aware of current risk assessment procedures and management plans and fully engage in zoning.
• To ensure regular auditing of the interventions carried out by nursing staff take place and that nursing staff reflect on practice.
• To ensure that all staff members are familiar with and observe the provisions of the Mental Health Act, Care Programme Approach, maintain and observe Codes of Professional Conduct and other appropriate legislation.
• To implement and contribute to policy and service development as appropriate.
• To participate in the monthly Ward Managers development programme.
• To adhere to the NMC Code of Conduct at all times.
• To ensure that all staff adheres to the Mental Health Act 1983, and that all relevant documentation is current, updated and appropriately filed.
• To ensure the safekeeping of clients’ money and property, through adherence to the relevant Trust policies.
Training and Development
• To work with the Operational Manager and Modern Matron in the development and implementation of clinical governance initiatives and policy review and implement the Nursing Strategy for Specialist Services.
• To ensure the Trust and local induction training is completed for all new staff and that a preceptorship programme is in place for newly qualified staff.
• To receive both professional and managerial supervision and develop and implement supervision and development reviews on the ward, counsel, advise and initiate action where necessary in all matters relating to staff well being.
• To ensure that clinical areas receive regular educational audits and are equipped to provide high quality training to students on placement.
This advert closes on Thursday 5 Mar 2026