Senior Clinical Lead

The Senior Clinical Lead provides professional and clinical leadership to the Crisis Pathway and has influence across all services aligned to the acute care pathway. The post holder line manages and supports Practice Leads and the Team Manager.

Responsibilities for Patient Care

The post holder is jointly accountable for delivering a person-centred, responsive and adaptable Crisis Pathway in line with patient need and available resources. They will role model clinical leadership, ensuring communication is clear, relevant and accessible to service users and carers, in line with organisational standards and values. They will ensure a duty of care, taking into account service users wishes, feelings, beliefs and those close to them. Professional competence must be maintained through clinical supervision. The post holder will demonstrate specialist knowledge of mental health care and the roles of other professionals. They are accountable for KPIs including HTT gatekeeping and 48-hour follow up.

PLS KPI

A&E 1-hour response and 24-hour ward response

FRS KPI

Netcall Cat B/C/D, face-to-face assessments within 2472 hours They will ensure skilled clinicians are available for crisis assessments, and will lead on these where required. Responsibilities include risk identification and management, clinical decision-making, and maintaining safety in challenging situations. Decisions must be communicated effectively to relevant agencies, including senior management where required. The post holder ensures aftercare planning, appropriate referrals, multidisciplinary working, and effective medication monitoring. They will ensure timely response to referrals, risk management competence, and accessible patient information. Feedback processes must be managed to improve services, alongside patient satisfaction surveys and safeguarding compliance. They are responsible for maintaining their own professional development and mandatory training.

Communication and Key Working Relationships

Key relationships include senior leadership, clinical teams, NHS partners, police, commissioners and other stakeholders. The post holder will demonstrate professionalism, challenge inappropriate behaviour, and share sensitive information appropriately. They will manage complex and sensitive issues, maintain effective communication channels, lead meetings, deliver presentations, and ensure accurate, accessible communication across services. Strong stakeholder engagement is essential.

Service Delivery

The post holder will understand population needs, national policy and local contracts. They will support service development, promote recovery-focused care, maintain high clinical standards, and undertake non-medical prescribing where appropriate. They will plan and develop services to meet demand, deliver value for money, and introduce new ways of working. Performance and quality standards will be monitored and escalated where required. They will ensure compliance with legislation, governance, CQC, NICE guidance, and health and safety requirements. Risk management processes, complaints handling, and service improvements must be maintained. They will also lead practice development projects and contribute to management decision-making.

Financial and Physical Resources

Responsible for budget management, cost control, forecasting, and efficiency savings. They must ensure activity targets are met and financial policies followed. Equipment management and maintenance must also be ensured.

Human Resources

The post holder will provide effective leadership, promote high standards, support supervision and CPD, and deputise for the Team Manager where required. They will ensure strong communication, identify training needs, promote team working, manage staff in line with HR policies, and oversee appraisals and development plans.

Information Resources

They will use performance data to drive service improvement, ensure IT systems are fully utilised, and maintain accurate, secure records in line with policies and legislation. IT issues and information security breaches must be reported and addressed promptly.

Research and Development

Responsible for audit, service evaluation, CQC compliance evidence, and supporting service development, policies and protocols in line with national guidance. Physical,

Mental and Emotional Effort

The role requires travel, prolonged computer use, and strong IT skills. The post holder must interpret data, manage complex tasks within deadlines, produce accurate reports, and lead meetings. They must remain resilient under pressure, manage competing priorities, and handle sensitive or challenging situations effectively. Working

Conditions and Freedom to Act

The post is office-based with travel across sites. The post holder is accountable for their practice, service delivery, and development of the Crisis Pathway, working with senior leadership. They will deputise for the Directorate Manager as required.