Job Description

Are you an experienced mental health or learning disability nurse looking to take the next step in your career?
We are recruiting for Ward Manager to join our team at Thames House, a unit for women with a diagnosis of mental illness and/or personality disorder based at our Littlemore Mental Health Centre in Oxford. This role offers a challenging yet rewarding environment where you can make a real difference.
Thames House is a low secure unit supporting women aged 18+ with mental health and forensic risks, aiming for rehabilitation and community reintegration. This role is based on Kestrel Ward, a 10-bedded ward which includes an ICU consisting of 2 beds, a seclusion room, a separate lounge and garden area.
You'll be at the heart of our Forensic Mental Health Pathway, providing operational leadership and delivery of high-quality nursing care. You'll maintain a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment for both staff and service users, championing a collaborative approach to care. This role offers the opportunity to influence and shape forensic mental health services, working closely with the Head of Service, Service Manager, and Modern Matron.
We offer a supportive working environment with opportunities for continuous learning and career progression. You'll lead and develop a skilled nursing team and contribute to the ongoing improvement of our forensic services.
If you are ready to take on this pivotal role and drive positive change, we would love to hear from you!
Main duties of the job

• Work as part of a highly skilled and knowledgeable multi-disciplinary team
• Hold key responsibilities around promoting excellence and effective team working
• Provide leadership and clinical management to the ward team
• Effectively apply your knowledge, skills and experience to oversee and maintain the highest standards of care
• Actively communicate and engage with other professionals (internal and external) as a senior clinical member of the team
• Oversee the co-ordination and effective management of the ward clinical team within the Secure Psychiatric Service. This includes covering for the unit totalling 10 beds.
• Ensure a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment for staff and service users.
• Take the least restrictive approach to risk management is employed with an emphasis on collaboration with the patient.
• Ensure that the nursing care in the service is of the highest standard, providing leadership and vision to the nursing team. To ensure adequate numbers of suitably skilled staff are working effectively.
• Oversee security of the unit and all who use it and that policies and procedures are in place and followed.
• Enable the strategic development of services across the Thames Valley, managing any necessary changes to the unit and it's functioning.
• Oversee recruitment, induction and team building of the staff group and the planning and organisation of therapeutic services

Please refer to the job description attached for a comprehensive list of duties
About us
Oxford Health is a great place to work and to be able to showcase the best of yourself when making an application please read the "candidate guide to making an application" and ensure your supporting statement is tailored to the role you are applying for and addresses any essential criteria.
As a Trust we provide physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset. Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible.Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: "Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"
Our values are:"Caring, safe and excellent"
At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:

• Excellent opportunities for career progression
• Individual and Trust wide learning and development
• 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
• NHS Discount
• Pension scheme
• Lease car scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Mental Health First Aiders
• Staff accommodation (waiting lists may apply)
• Staff networking and support groups

Details
Date posted
28 November 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 7
Salary
47,810 to 54,710 a year plus an RSU allowance of 1,446 per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
267-FS7620229
Job locations
Kestrel Ward, Thames House
Littlemore Mental Health Centre
Oxford
OX4 4XN
Job description
Job responsibilities
This role includes an RSU allowance of 1,446 per annum on top of your salary.
Please note if you are based outside of the UK you will need to be fully qualified, have already passed your OSCE and have an NMC pin number in order to be considered for this role.
The hours are 9:00-17:00, Monday to Friday with some flexibility expected to provide out of hours management oversight as part of the Forensic on call rota system.
The successful candidate needs to have experience and competence in utilising physical intervention to be able to provide leadership and support to staff managing violence and aggression.
This role will include effective liaison with capital project workers, project managers, builders and contractors, Human Resources, staff groups, members of all disciplines and service users, among others. All roles will be subject to a successful disclosure at an appropriate level from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Access NI or Disclosure Scotland. We are an equal opportunities employer. You can also take advantage of clear career pathways and support around training and personal development. You will be surrounded by like-minded professionals who work well as a team to produce positive outcomes.
We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.
The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview. Job description
Job responsibilities
This role includes an RSU allowance of 1,446 per annum on top of your salary.
Please note if you are based outside of the UK you will need to be fully qualified, have already passed your OSCE and have an NMC pin number in order to be considered for this role.
The hours are 9:00-17:00, Monday to Friday with some flexibility expected to provide out of hours management oversight as part of the Forensic on call rota system.
The successful candidate needs to have experience and competence in utilising physical intervention to be able to provide leadership and support to staff managing violence and aggression.
This role will include effective liaison with capital project workers, project managers, builders and contractors, Human Resources, staff groups, members of all disciplines and service users, among others. All roles will be subject to a successful disclosure at an appropriate level from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Access NI or Disclosure Scotland. We are an equal opportunities employer. You can also take advantage of clear career pathways and support around training and personal development. You will be surrounded by like-minded professionals who work well as a team to produce positive outcomes.
We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.
The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential

• Excellent knowledge of the needs of the users of forensic mental health services
• Knowledge of legal frameworks when supporting people with Mental Health Challenges
• Thorough understanding of delivering mental health nursing within secure settings
• Ability to identify the development needs of those in your team and Implement a plan to meet them.

Desirable

• Knowledge and Understanding of HR procedures
• Evidence of Leadership skill
• Training and experience of Quality Improvement
• Competence in PEACE (physical) intervention

Skills
Essential

• Able to work on own initiative and time manage
• Experience of Leading a Team
• Physical capacity to complete control and restraint training

Desirable

• Ability to travel to different locations where needed
• Experienced in Quality Improvement Projects

Training and experience
Essential

• Registered Mental Health Nurse/ Registered Learning Disability Nurse
• At least three years post registration experience
• At least two years post registration experience in a secure setting
• Experience of dealing with management of change

Desirable

• Qualification in Leadership & Management.
• Experienced in Quality Improvement Projects

Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential

• Excellent knowledge of the needs of the users of forensic mental health services
• Knowledge of legal frameworks when supporting people with Mental Health Challenges
• Thorough understanding of delivering mental health nursing within secure settings
• Ability to identify the development needs of those in your team and Implement a plan to meet them.

Desirable

• Knowledge and Understanding of HR procedures
• Evidence of Leadership skill
• Training and experience of Quality Improvement
• Competence in PEACE (physical) intervention

Skills
Essential

• Able to work on own initiative and time manage
• Experience of Leading a Team
• Physical capacity to complete control and restraint training

Desirable

• Ability to travel to different locations where needed
• Experienced in Quality Improvement Projects

Training and experience
Essential

• Registered Mental Health Nurse/ Registered Learning Disability Nurse
• At least three years post registration experience
• At least two years post registration experience in a secure setting
• Experience of dealing with management of change

Desirable

• Qualification in Leadership & Management.
• Experienced in Quality Improvement Projects

Skills Required