Deputy Service Lead (Clinical)

Job summary
The NHS Swindon Talking Therapies service (IAPT) offers support to residents of Swindon who may be experiencing common mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, stress and low mood, offering evidence based treatments based on the difficulties the patient is experiencing.

A new and exciting opportunity has arisen for the position of Deputy Service Manager (Clinical Lead), maternity cover.

You will work as a key member of the senior management team to provide leadership and contribute to the development of the talking therapies service with a focus on oversight of, and responsibility for the clinical provision within the service for all therapy modalities.

We are currently operating a hybrid working arrangement, where you will be based at Old Town Surgery combined with opportunities for remote working from home.

Interviews will be held on 28th August 2026, start date 2nd November 2026.

Main duties of the job
Main duties of the job:

• To be an active member of the senior management team, including deputising for the Head of Talking Therapies (BSW) and the Swindon Talking Therapies Service Manager.
• To act as a Lead Clinician and offer 1:1 sessions
• To supervise and oversee the development of the service and quality of supervision provision
• To line manage and oversee the work of a team of High Intensity Therapists and Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners
• To maintain a Talking Therapies manual compliant service.
• To represent the service at meetings and deliver presentations, both internally and to outside organisations.
• To oversee links with voluntary and community organisations

The successful candidate must have a qualification in one of the Talking Therapies clinical modalities, along with substantial post qualification relevant experience, including supervision. It is essential to have in-depth experience of managing staff in a stepped care service along with the capacity to cope with pressure and prioritise competing demands. We are a friendly and supportive team with a strong focus on staff wellbeing.

About us
We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust) a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.

We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.

Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.

At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.

Right to Work in the UK This position is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must already hold the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application, as the organisation is unable to support sponsorship for this post.

Job responsibilities
Please see job description for full details.
Managerial

• To deputise for the Swindon Talking Therapies Service Manager as appropriate.
• To line manage a team of mental health Practitioners including managing sickness, appraisals and performance etc.
• To oversee audits and to report any difficulties to the Service Manager.
• To provide cover for other members of the Senior Management Team.
• Recruit staff as required
• To be a member of the Executive and Senior Management Team, including attending meetings and giving advice to the Head of Talking Therapies/service manager as appropriate
• Appropriately manage time for clinical work and managerial responsibilities.
• To initiate in-service development and expansion
• To over see the organisation and supervision of the work of the clinical team
• To liaise with other Primary Care Services
• To liaise with Secondary Services
• To oversee training in conjunction with the Head of Service.
• To be aware of budgetary constraints.
• Maintain a Talking Therapies manual compliant service.
• Monitor and follow up patients in line with guidance.
• To allocate and support staff as discussed with the Head of Talking Therapies and Swindon Service Manager.
• To supervise staff as appropriate.
• Induct and supervise new members of staff.
• To represent the Service and deliver presentations both internally and to outside organizations e.g. ICB and national organizations especially those related to Talking Therapies.
• To oversee links with voluntary and community organisations, educational and recreational opportunities and resources in the local area which may be of benefit to clients referred to the service
• To oversee the design and delivery of psycho-educational courses

Professional:

• To participate in the Talking Therapies business and professional meetings as appropriate.
• To be aware of and comply with all policies, procedures and directives of the Department, Service and AWP
• To maintain and further develop high standards of therapy and psychology practice through co-operative work with other practitioners of all disciplines and involvement in professional audit.
• To comply with British Psychology Societys/ BABCP/ other regulatory body's Code of Conduct as well as procedures and government legislation as it applies to the Service.
• To oversee the research in the service. To instigate and be involved in research as required.

Clinical Governance:

• To support the Service manager in the development and implementation of effective Clinical Governance across the Talking Therapies Service.
• To support and participate in multidisciplinary audit in the service.
• To promote the use of effective interventions in the service.
• To participate in Clinical Governance processes in the service and in the profession.
• To help in the design of audit forms
• Access GP data systems and input clinical notes.

General:

• To participate in liaison meetings with GPs and other members of the Primary Care Health Teams as appropriate.
• To participate in locality meetings.
• To participate in audit and personal review activity as required.
• To compile and return statistics and activity levels as required and monitor and act on statistics.
• To undertake such further training as might be required to maintain an appropriate level of expertise.
• To participate in individual and peer supervision.
• To be aware of and comply with all policies, procedures and directions of the department, service and AWP
• To participate in the research activities of the service and publish articles.
• To participate in disseminating good practice by publication and presentation.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Qualification in one of the talking therapy clinical modalities at a minimum of masters level
• Professional registration - HCP, BABCP, BPS

Experience
Essential

• Management experience & training
• Research and development experience
• Experience of supervising & managing staff in a stepped care service
• Substantial relevant clinical experience

Desirable

• Experience of service development
• Experience of designing and delivering presentations

Skills
Essential

• Capacity to cope with pressure and competing priorities
• Ability to deal with distressed patients
• Ability to support staff in dealing with patients in crisis
• Leadership skills
• Training skills

Knowledge
Essential

• Knowledge of HR policies
• Knowledge of risk management in primary care

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.