Head of Vulnerable Adults & Complex Pathways: Sponsorship Available

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

Job summary

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an exceptional leader to join us as Head of Vulnerable Adults and Complex Pathways.

Reporting to the Group Director of Nursing, Medical Care Group, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for vulnerable adults, mental health and complex care pathways across the Trust. Working closely with executive, clinical and operational leaders, you will drive service transformation, support the delivery of the Trust’s Mental Health Strategy, and lead the development of innovative, person-centred services that improve quality, safety and patient outcomes.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape services for vulnerable adults and patients with complex needs across Dorset. You’ll join a supportive senior leadership team and play a key role in delivering high-quality, compassionate care and improved outcomes for some of our most vulnerable patients.

If you are a strategic, compassionate and values-driven leader, we would welcome your application.

Interview Date: 3rd December 2026

Main duties of the job

  • Professional registration (NMC, HCPC, Social Work England or equivalent).
  • Master’s level qualification or equivalent experience.
  • Significant senior leadership experience in healthcare, social care, safeguarding, mental health or complex care services.
  • A proven track record of service transformation, quality improvement and partnership working.
  • Experience of operational, workforce and financial management.
  • Excellent leadership, communication and influencing skills.

The post holder is expected to lead the strategic direction and policy setting for vulnerable adults, incorporating mental health services within UHD, forming an essential communications link between the wider nursing, medical, and Allied Health Professionals (AHP) / Health Care Scientists teams and operational teams.The post holder will be based within the Medical Care Group, leading the Mental Health Directorate and will work closely with members of the Care Group Triumvirate teams in all Care Groups (surgery, medicine, and specialities). The role will contribute to the implementation of a patient centred clinical operational strategy for the management and care of patients attending the Trust with Mental Health needs.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Relevant professional registration RN/RMN Registered Healthcare Professional (NMC, HCPC, Social Work England or equivalent recognised professional body).
  • Master’s degree or equivalent level of experience in healthcare, social care, leadership, management, or a related field.

Desirable

  • Master’s degree in leadership, Healthcare Management, Mental Health, Public Health or equivalent.
  • Specialist qualification in Safeguarding, Mental Health, Learning Disabilities or Dementia Care.

Experience

Essential

  • Significant senior leadership experience within health, social care, safeguarding and complex care services.
  • Experience of operational management, workforce planning and budget management.
  • Experience of partnership working across organisational boundaries.

Desirable

  • Demonstrable experience of working collaboratively with local authorities, Integrated Care Systems (ICS), and third-sector partners.

Technical Skills

Essential

  • Highly developed communication and negotiation skills, including the ability to influence senior stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams.
  • Able to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery, maintaining focus on organisational priorities and patient outcomes.

Desirable

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage complexity and drive sustainable change.

Knowledge

Essential

  • Extensive knowledge of safeguarding adults legislation and practice.
  • Understanding of NHS operational flow, discharge processes and reduction of delayed discharges.

Desirable

  • Expert knowledge of safeguarding adults legislation, policy, and best practice

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

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

Closing Date: 10 November 2026

To apply for this job please visit apps.trac.jobs.