Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust provide award winning mental health, learning disability, community health services, and community children’s services, that support our communities throughout their lives.
Our health care services cover all ages, so if you live in Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale or Craven, you may come into contact with one of our teams at some point in your life.
A new opportunity has arisen for individuals living within the BDCFT local community (Bradford and Craven) to join our team of hospital managers. Under Section 23 of the Mental Health Act 1983 a patient may apply for a review of their detention or community treatment order. In addition to this the hospital managers must undertake a review following the renewal/extension of a detention in hospital or community treatment order. The decision is made by a panel of 3 hospital managers.
Mental Health Legislation states that this duty cannot be carried out by employees of the Care Trust, however the legislation permits the engagement of volunteers to carry out the required functions of hospital managers. The voluntary position requires a commitment of between 1 and 3 days per month. Expenses can be claimed on a monthly basis. Full training is offered before any panel duties are carried out. In addition, our hospital managers have access to a wide range of online and in-person training to further reinforce their knowledge.
Associate Hospital Managers have a central role in operating the provisions of the Mental Health Act and they have the key responsibility for seeing that the requirements of the Act are followed.
Section 23 of the Mental Health Act gives Associate Hospital Managers (the Care Trust, who is responsible for the operation of the Act) the power to discharge an unrestricted patient from detention. The power to discharge is exercised on behalf of the Trust by a review panel consisting of three Associate Hospital Managers.
The post holder will be expected:
To work with agreed Mental Health Act procedures
To gain knowledge of the Code of Practice and ensure compliance with this
To sit on review panels adopting and applying a procedure which is fair and reasonable
To receive reports in advance of the review meeting, to read and digest
To listen to and actively question the patient, Responsible Clinician, Care Co-ordinator, Social Worker or Community Psychiatric Nurse (CPN), nurse and any other appropriate personnel at the review meeting
To make rational decisions based on information given, properly directing themselves as to the law
We are looking to further boost our numbers of hospital managers. We are interested in hearing from individuals who have an interest in equality, diversity, human rights and mental health. This is an opportunity to really make a difference in the lives of some of our most vulnerable patients by ensuring that their rights are met.
Everything we do is underpinned by our core values: -
We Care - We act with respect and empathy, and always value difference
We Listen - We understand people’s views and respond to their individual needs
We Deliver - We develop and provide excellent services and support our partners
We are also proud to pledge our support to the Armed Forces and hold a Bronze Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.
BDCFT is dedicated to environmental and social sustainability by delivering on the commitments within our Green Plan. All staff are actively encouraged and supported to participate in training and to identify and implement sustainable quality improvement across all service areas and activities.
The Trust reserves the right to close this position early if a significant number of applications are received.
Please note, this role requires a broad understanding of the socioeconomic climate experienced within Bradford District Care Trust’s catchment areas which must be clearly demonstrated in your application.
There are at any one time approximately 24 Associate Hospital Managers available to sit on patient appeals and renewals hearings.
A number of Associate Hospital Managers have agreed to carry out the role of Chair and are provided with extra training to carry out this role. They receive an additional payment for taking on the extra responsibilities.
Associate Hospital Managers will be required to:
Participate in annual review with the MHA Advisor and with an appraisal every 3 years, led by the Mental Health Legislation Lead and MHA Advisor
Attend all mandatory training; some subjects will be classroom-based, others provided via E-learning.
Comply with all Trust policies, procedures and protocols.
Pay regard to materials and equipment.
Carry out duties with due regard to the Trust’s Equal Opportunity Policy.
Seek advice and support from the Mental Health Act Advisor whenever necessary.
Provide support to your colleagues who may be new to the role and to support your peers around their personal health and wellbeing
Closing: 28 June 2026
Shortlisting: w/c 29 June 2026
Interviews: 10 July 2026 TBC
Please read the attached Job description and person specification for more details about this role.
Right to Work in the UK
Applicants should be aware that for any individual who requires a visa to work in the UK, the Trust provides sponsorship for registered healthcare practitioner roles only. This is an essential requirement of the role, and the Trust is unable to offer you a role if you are unable to meet Trust requirements for sponsorship and Home Office requirements for a visa.
Prior to your appointment you will be asked to provide confirmation of your right to work and reside in the UK. During your continued employment with the Trust, you have a personal responsibility to notify your manager as soon as possible should there be any changes to your right to work status.
Regrettably, if the role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Trust’s eligibility criteria, the Trust are unable to extend your employment beyond the expiration of your current visa. The Trust is not responsible or liable for ensuring that your employment continues after this period.
As a condition of continuous employment, it essential you maintain the legal right to work in the United Kingdom throughout the duration of your employment with Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust (BDCFT). Any change in your right-to-work status, including but not limited to visa expiration, revocation, or denial of renewal, may impact your eligibility for employment with the Trust. It is your responsibility to promptly inform your Line Manager of any changes in your right-to-work status immediately and to provide necessary documentation for verification purposes. Failure to obtain or renew your visa in a timely manner is a breach of employment conditions and will result in termination of your employment. We appreciate your attention to this matter and your commitment to fulfilling this requirement promptly.
