NELFT NHS Foundation Trust
Clinical Lead/ Deputy Manager
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Clinical Lead/ Deputy Manager
Clinical Lead (Band 7) – Integrated Crisis Assessment Hub (ICAH) – Acute Crisis Response Service
Job Overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and motivated mental health professional to join our Acute Crisis Response Service as a Band 7 Clinical Lead. This is a key clinical and operational leadership role within the Integrated Crisis Assessment Hub, contributing to high-quality crisis care for individuals experiencing mental health emergencies.
This is a Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm role, offering a consistent working pattern.
The ICAH Clinical Lead is a senior clinical role within the Mental Health Acute Crisis Response Service, providing operational and clinical leadership across the Integrated Crisis Assessment Hub and associated crisis pathways. The post holder will ensure safe, effective, and timely assessment and intervention for service users experiencing mental health crises, acting as a key gatekeeping function and Single Point of Access.
Working collaboratively with acute mental health services, emergency services, and partner agencies, the Clinical Lead will support:
- Patient flow
- Bed management
- Crisis diversion
- High-quality clinical decision-making, in line with Trust values, policies, and national standards
Main Duties
- Provide clinical and operational leadership and oversight for the Integrated Crisis Assessment Hub (ICAH)
- Act as a senior decision-maker in crisis assessment, triage, and care planning
- Deliver and oversee telephone triage and emergency diversion from A&E where appropriate
- Support bed management and patient flow across acute services
- Work collaboratively with:
- Emergency services
- Approved Mental Health Practitioners (AMHPs)
- Community teams
- Inpatient wards
- Offer specialist clinical advice to junior staff and partner services
- Ensure compliance with:
- Trust policies
- CQC requirements
- Safeguarding frameworks
- Support service performance through:
- Audit
- KPIs
- Quality improvement
- Lead on supervision, training, and development of staff within the service
- Deputise for the service manager as required
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Detailed Job Description
Day-to-Day Responsibilities
The post holder will provide day-to-day clinical leadership within the Integrated Crisis Assessment Hub, supporting staff delivering:
- Crisis assessment
- Triage
- Intervention across multiple access points, including self-referrals, police, LAS, and emergency services.
The Clinical Lead will:
- Work autonomously within their professional remit
- Offer specialist assessment, guidance, and supervision to ensure:
- Effective risk management
- Appropriate, evidence-based care
- Collaborate closely with:
- Inpatient services
- Community teams
- Home TreatmentTeams
- Bed management teams
- External partners
- Maintain patient safety and service flow
Additionally, the Clinical Lead will contribute to:
- Service development
- Staff training
- Quality improvement
- Clinical governance activities
Key Responsibilities
Clinical & Operational Leadership
- Lead the clinical function of ICAH, ensuring safe and effective crisis assessment and intervention
- Act as the gatekeeper for referrals to ensure appropriate access to:
- Acute services
- Community services
- Take responsibility for Trust bed management in collaboration with acute services
- Support emergency diversion pathways and crisis response across partner agencies
- Escalate high-risk or complex cases appropriately
Leadership & Staff Development
- Provide supervision, guidance, and mentorship to junior and developing staff
- Promote a supportive, values-based team culture
- Act as a role model for professional practice and leadership
- Lead or contribute to service development projects
Governance & Quality
- Maintain high standards of:
- Record keeping
- Information governance
- Participate in:
- Audits
- Incident management
- Complaints investigations
- Ensure compliance with:
- Safeguarding
- Risk management
- Infection control
- Support delivery of key performance indicators (KPIs) and service objectives
Communication & Partnership Working
- Communicate effectively with:
- Internal stakeholders
- External partners (police, LAS, AMHPs, partner organisations)
- Provide clear written and verbal reports
- Engage compassionately with:
- Service users
- Families
- Carers (including during challenging situations)
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Joining NELFT
Induction & Onboarding
NELFT places great importance on properly welcoming and inducting new starters. All new employees join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and undergo a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks, which includes:
- Mandatory training
- Systems training
- Allocation of equipment
During induction, new starters will:
- Meet the executive team and senior managers
- Attend drop-in sessions focused on:
- Engagement
- Health and wellbeing
- Key processes
The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.
Probationary Period
This post will be subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt unless they are:
- Currently mid-way through a probationary period
- Currently a bank member of staff
High Cost Area Supplement
This role attracts a High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (with a minimum of £4,870 to a maximum of £6,137 p.a., pro rata for part-time employees) applicable to:
- Outer London areas (Barking & Dagenham, Redbridge, Havering, Waltham Forest – Goodmayes)
Working for NELFT
Joining #TeamNELFT means becoming part of a: ✅ Welcome and supportive working environment ✅ CQC-rated "Good" Trust, committed to achieving an Outstanding rating ✅ Organisation with sisterly sites across North East London and Essex, providing community and mental healthcare to adults and children.
Key Benefits & Commitments
- Award-winning equality and diversity initiatives
- Staff health and wellbeing activities
- Significant investment in staff development to deliver high-quality care
- Level 3 Disability Confident Leader
- Recognised as a Working Families Top 10 Employer for five consecutive years
- Carers UK Level 1 Accreditation
Through:
- Staff networks
- Training opportunities NELFT strives to foster a just and compassionate culture.
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