Job Overview
We are seeking an experienced and motivated CQC Registered Manager to join a developing specialist secure mental health transport service.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Registered Manager to play a key role in the development, CQC registration, mobilisation and ongoing management of a specialist service providing safe and dignified transport for people with mental health, learning disability, autism and other complex care needs.
The service will undertake a range of specialist journeys, including mental health hospital admissions and transfers, Mental Health Act-related transport, Section 136 transfers, CAMHS transport, high-risk escorts, secure transfers and other planned or urgent mental health transport.
The successful candidate will have significant autonomy in the Registered Manager role while working closely with the directors and operational team to establish and develop a safe, effective and commercially sustainable service.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as the CQC Registered Manager and fulfil the responsibilities associated with the role.
- Support and lead the service through CQC registration, mobilisation and ongoing regulatory compliance.
- Ensure the service operates in accordance with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, associated regulations, CQC requirements and relevant professional standards.
- Maintain effective clinical governance, quality assurance and risk-management systems.
- Ensure appropriate systems are in place for safeguarding adults and children.
- Oversee incident reporting, investigations, complaints, duty of candour and learning from incidents.
- Maintain appropriate policies, procedures, audits, registers and governance documentation.
- Ensure staff recruitment, induction, training, competency assessment, supervision and appraisal arrangements meet regulatory requirements.
- Oversee the safe delivery of specialist mental health and secure transport.
- Ensure appropriate referral, booking, risk assessment and journey-planning processes are followed.
- Ensure appropriate consideration of the Mental Health Act 1983, Mental Capacity Act 2005, consent, best interests and least-restrictive practice.
- Maintain oversight of restrictive interventions and ensure that any restraint or use of force is lawful, necessary, proportionate and appropriately recorded and reviewed.
- Ensure vehicles, equipment and operational systems remain appropriate for the needs of service users.
- Monitor quality through audits, incidents, feedback, complaints, performance indicators and continuous improvement.
- Work effectively with NHS organisations, mental health trusts, local authorities, police, ambulance services, hospitals and other commissioners and professionals.
- Support tender, framework and commissioner requirements where appropriate.
- Provide professional leadership to operational and clinical staff.
- Maintain appropriate readiness for CQC assessment and inspection.
- Work collaboratively with the directors while retaining the professional authority necessary to discharge Registered Manager responsibilities.
Person Specification
Essential
- Previous experience as a CQC Registered Manager, or substantial senior management experience within a CQC-regulated healthcare service.
- Strong knowledge of CQC regulations and regulatory compliance.
- Experience of clinical governance, safeguarding, incident management, risk management and quality assurance.
- Strong leadership and staff-management experience.
- Good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and safeguarding requirements.
- Ability to demonstrate effective governance and evidence regulatory compliance.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and make appropriate professional decisions.
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to attend the operational base and other locations when required.
Highly Desirable
- Previous Registered Manager experience within ambulance services, patient transport, secure transport, mental health, crisis services or another comparable regulated healthcare environment.
- Experience of CQC registration or mobilisation of a new regulated service.
- Knowledge and practical experience of the Mental Health Act 1983.
- Experience working with detained patients and/or individuals presenting with complex or high-risk needs.
- Experience of restrictive practice, restraint governance or use-of-force oversight.
- Experience working with NHS commissioners, mental health trusts, local authorities or other public-sector commissioners.
- Experience with tenders, NHS frameworks or service mobilisation.
- Registered healthcare professional status, such as NMC or HCPC registration, would be advantageous but is not necessarily essential where the candidate can otherwise demonstrate appropriate competence and experience.
Working Arrangements
The position will offer a degree of flexible/hybrid working.
A significant proportion of governance, compliance, auditing, policy review, documentation and administrative responsibilities may be undertaken remotely. However, this is not a fully remote Registered Manager position.
The Registered Manager must maintain sufficient oversight of the regulated activity and will be expected to attend the operational base in Blackburn, staff meetings, training, audits, operational reviews and other locations whenever required to discharge their responsibilities effectively.
The working arrangement will therefore be based on the needs of the service rather than a fixed office-attendance requirement.
Salary
£55,000 – £65,000 per annum, depending on experience and suitability.
We are prepared to consider the upper end of the salary range for an exceptional candidate with substantial CQC Registered Manager experience and relevant mental health, ambulance or secure transport expertise.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary.
- Opportunity to play a significant role in developing a new specialist healthcare service.
- Flexible/hybrid working arrangements.
- Significant professional autonomy.
- Direct involvement in service development and mobilisation.
- Opportunity to develop the service from registration through to full operation and growth.
- Supportive senior management structure.
- Ongoing professional development.
Application
Applicants should submit an up-to-date CV demonstrating their CQC-regulated management experience.
Shortlisted applicants will be asked to provide further information regarding their regulatory experience, qualifications and suitability before progressing to formal interview.
Applicants with previous CQC Registered Manager experience in ambulance, secure transport or mental health services are particularly encouraged to apply.
Pay: £55,000.00-£65,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Experience:
- senior management in secure or mental health transport: 2 years (required)
Work Location: In person
