The Head of Complex Care is a senior clinical leader within the All Age Complex and Continuing Care (AACCC) Directorate, responsible for providing expert clinical leadership for the commissioning, development and continuous improvement of Complex Care services across the Integrated Care Board (ICB).
Working in partnership with the Head of Commissioning, Contracting and Brokerage, the post holder will lead the clinical development of individualised commissioning arrangements, ensuring services are delivered in accordance with national policy, statutory guidance, clinical best practice and ICB commissioning principles. They will support the development of innovative models of care that maximise independence, improve patient experience, and ensure effective use of NHS resources.
The post holder will bring extensive clinical knowledge and experience of caring for individuals with highly complex health needs to ensure that commissioning decisions, pathway development and service transformation are clinically robust, evidence-based and person-centred. They will provide expert professional advice to the AACCC senior leadership team, commissioners and system partners on complex care pathways, ensuring services are safe, effective, equitable and deliver improved outcomes for individuals and their families.
As a member of the AACCC Senior Management Team, the post holder will contribute to the leadership and delivery of the Directorate's objectives, supporting transformation programs, quality improvement initiatives and the development of integrated commissioning arrangements across health and social care.
The post holder will lead the Complex Care Commissioning workstream, working collaboratively with commissioners, procurement, contracting, finance, operational colleagues, clinicians, providers and Local Authorities to develop sustainable, high-quality services that meet the current and future needs of the population.
Please note it is proposed that this post will be in scope to transfer to Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust (FHFT) on the 1 September 2026. If you are appointed prior to 1 September 2026, you will join Thames Valley ICB initially, but it is proposed that your employment will then transfer to FHFT in accordance with TUPE/ CoSOP regulations. If your start date is on or after the 1 September 2026 it is planned that you will be employed directly by FHFT from commencement.
Key responsibilities include:
Providing expert clinical leadership for Complex Care commissioning and service development.
Leading the clinical design, implementation and evaluation of Complex Care pathways and models of care.
Ensuring commissioning decisions are informed by clinical evidence, best practice, quality standards, and patient outcomes.
Leading service improvement and transformation programs that improve quality, safety, patient experience and value for money.
Developing effective partnerships with providers, Local Authorities and wider system partners to strengthen integrated commissioning and collaborative working.
Providing clinical leadership for Personal Health Budgets (PHBs) and other personalised care approaches, ensuring they support safe, effective and person-centered care.
Working jointly with the Head of Commissioning, Contracting and Brokerage to ensure robust governance, quality assurance, market oversight and commissioning arrangements are in place.
Providing professional leadership, expert advice and clinical assurance on highly complex cases, emerging service risks and new service developments.
Supporting the development of the wider AACCC strategy and contributing to the achievement of ICB priorities.
Leading and developing a high-performing multidisciplinary team through effective leadership, supervision, coaching, and workforce development.
The post holder will ensure that commissioning and service development responsibilities are appropriately delegated across the team, promoting continuous professional development, innovation, and the sharing of clinical expertise.
The post holder is responsible for ensuring that they and their team comply with all statutory, mandatory and professional training requirements and maintaining the standards expected of their professional registration.
This job description outlines the principal duties and responsibilities of the role and is not intended to be exhaustive. The post holder may be required to undertake other duties to commensurate with the grade of the post, as reasonably requested by their line manager.
The duties and responsibilities of this post may be reviewed periodically to reflect the changing needs of the AACCC Directorate, the Integrated Care Board, and the wider health and care system.
