Head of Mental Health Legislation | Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust


Company:	Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Salary:	£66,582 - £77,368 per annum (pro rata for part time)
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Mapperley, NG3 6AA
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	15 Oct 2026
Closing date:	20 Nov 2026

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Summary

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced leader to provide strategic oversight of mental health legislation across the Trust. The post holder will lead the Mental Health Legislation service, ensuring compliance with the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Human Rights legislation and associated legal frameworks, while safeguarding the rights, dignity and wellbeing of service users.

Working closely with senior leaders, clinicians, regulators and external partners, you will provide expert advice, influence organisational strategy, develop policy, oversee audits and assurance processes, and support services to implement legislation effectively. You will lead on governance, risk management, quality improvement and regulatory compliance, ensuring the Trust remains responsive to legislative and policy developments.

The role includes responsibility for education and training programmes, implementation of legislative changes, oversight of Associate Hospital Managers, and leadership of the Mental Health Legislation Team. You will provide assurance to the Trust Board, drive continuous improvement and support the delivery of safe, effective and person-centred care.

This high-profile role requires extensive knowledge of mental health law, strong leadership and governance expertise, and the ability to work collaboratively across complex healthcare environments to deliver the highest standards of lawful and ethical practice.

The Head of Mental Health Legislation will provide strategic and operational leadership for the Trust's Mental Health Legislation service, ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements whilst safeguarding the rights of service users. The post holder will act as the Trust's expert advisor on the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and associated legislation, leading policy development, governance, audit, training and quality improvement activities. Working closely with senior leaders, clinical teams, regulators and external partners, the role will drive continuous improvement, provide assurance to the Trust Board and support the delivery of safe, effective and person-centred care across all services. The successful candidate will also lead and develop a specialist legislation team, oversee Mental Health Act governance processes, and ensure emerging legislative changes are successfully implemented across the organisation.

#TeamNottsHC comprises over 11,000 dedicated colleagues who #MakeADifference every day. We deliver intellectual disability, mental health, community health, forensic, and offender healthcare services across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and South Yorkshire. Our care is provided from over 200 sites, spanning community locations, acute settings, and secure environments, including prisons.

We are one of the largest mental health and community Trusts in the East Midlands and one of Nottinghamshire's biggest employers. We also host national and regional services, such as the National High Secure Deaf Service and the Nottingham Centre for Transgender Health.

We offer a variety of employee-led staff networks, including Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) groups, the Green Champions network, the Freedom to Speak Up network, the Health and Wellbeing Champions network, and the Menopause Champions network. These networks play a vital role in supporting our diverse workforce and promoting a culture of inclusivity.

The health and wellbeing of colleagues is a top priority. We invest significantly in this through our in-house occupational health and staff counselling services, supported by a dedicated Health and Wellbeing team.

The Trust is committed to reducing its carbon emissions, with a specialised Energy and Environmental team working to ensure compliance with environmental legislation, enhance our environmental performance, and achieve our net-zero commitment.

To be the Trust expert and lead on all matters and functions relating to mental health legislation (MHL), including the Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA) and the Mental Capacity Act (MCA), to ensure that the Trust operates in accordance with the requirements of both legislations, including associated Codes of Practice, Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards in relation to the Mental Health Act, Trust Policies and Procedures and accepted good practice.

To improve the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of the Trust’s compliance with the mental health legislation across its services. To ensure that service users rights are protected and that due legal safeguards are in operation.

Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. The cost of the DBS application is £20.00 (standard) or £41.00 (enhanced), this cost will be deducted from your salary over the first 2 months of employment. 

You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. An annual fee of £15 per year applies.

This advert closes on Thursday 29 Oct 2026

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