Job Description

Hywel Dda University Health Board is looking for a talented leader who is driven, ambitious and passionate about patient care to work as a key member of the MHLD Senior Management Team as Head of Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services.



This individual will need to have a desire to influence decisions and direction of travel within the Clinical Care Group, working in close partnership with senior clinical and managerial staff and key partners to promote and co-deliver strategic and operational initiatives and objectives.



The successful individual will need to be able to demonstrate a track record of effective leadership in respect of significant service change. To succeed in this role you will need to be able to build confidence across the organisation and work autonomously, whilst contributing to the co-designed development and co-produced implementation of key Mental Health and Learning Disabilities service strategies.



You will contribute to shaping the vision of the local health economy through collaborative working with partner organisations and be required to ensure the delivery of all Health Board's Service, Financial, Performance and Improvement Plans.



This post will support the Service Director MH&LD Clinical Care Group in managing and driving change for the whole system and in developing fully integrated and aligned services for Mental Health and Learning Disabilities and provide cross cover with counterparts in other service areas.



Reporting directly to the Service Director MH&LD, the post holder will have strategic and operational management responsibility for their designated service area, including staff and resources.



Have operational responsibility for the performance of services within their designated service area, contributing to the development and preparation plans for the achievement of national and local priorities.

2. Provide leadership both professionally and managerially as well as operational responsibility for the resources and staff within their designated service area.

3. Directly responsible for leadership of staff in the provision of modernised patient/client focused services within their designated service area and provide cross cover with counterparts in other service areas.

4. Directs, leads and motivates staff to ensure a high standard of professionalism, efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery, ensuring that activity is aligned to Health Board plans and strategies.

5. Regularly monitor and review operational plans, adjusting for changes in local need to be responsive to changes in national policy guidance and Health Board strategies.

6. Investigate and deal with complaints arising within services as required.

7. Work towards the integration of services where appropriate to develop an operational model that delivers the strategic development of the services required in line with the Health Board's vision through the partnership agenda.



Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.



We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.



We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.

Our services are provided in:

Four main hospitals:

Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest

Five community hospitals:

Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire

Two integrated care centres:

Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings

47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers

Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services



You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.



The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.



The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.



If successfully shortlisted you will be asked to complete psychometric assessments. Information regarding these and the stakeholder panels/interview will be sent to you following completion of shortlisting.



Stakeholder panels will be held on 08/10/2025



Interviews will be held on 09/10/2025