Associate Director of Nursing (Mental Health/Learning Disabilities)NHS

Job summary

We are seeking an experienced, compassionate and highly credible senior nursing leader to join our Nursing and Allied Health Professional leadership team as Associate Director of Nursing for Mental Health, Learning Disabilities.

This is a key professional leadership role within Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CFT), providing strategic, professional and operational nursing leadership for Mental Health and Learning Disability services, alongside strategic safeguarding leadership, assurance and oversight across both CFT and Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT).

Working closely with the Chief Nursing Officer and Director of Nursing and Allied Health Professionals, the postholder will provide visible and influential leadership across quality, patient safety, professional practice, workforce development, safeguarding, improvement and research. They will champion high standards of safe, effective and person-centred care, ensuring that the voices of people who use our services, their families and carers are central to how services develop.

This is an exciting opportunity to influence professional practice and service development across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, working collaboratively with clinical and operational leaders, system partners, education providers and the voluntary sector to improve outcomes for our communities.

Proposed interview date: 3rd December 2026

Main duties of the job

• Provide strategic and professional nursing leadership for Mental Health and Learning Disability services, ensuring high standards of clinical practice, quality, safety and patient experience.
• Hold professional responsibility for Mental Health and Learning Disability services and specialtyConsultant Practitioners across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
• Provide strategicsafeguarding leadership, assurance and oversight across CFT and RCHT, ensuring both organisations meet their statutory safeguarding responsibilities for children and adults.Provide line management and professional leadership to the Head of Safeguarding, supporting robust safeguarding governance, escalation and partnership working.
• Provide expert professional advice and assurance to senior leaders and governance forums on nursing practice, safeguarding, quality, safety and professional standards.Lead and influence the development of a skilled, compassionate, inclusive and sustainable nursing and clinical workforce, supporting professional development, recruitment, retention and succession planning.
• Promote evidence-based practice, research, innovation and quality improvement, translating learning into improvements in clinical outcomes and experience.
• Strengthen the involvement of people who use services, families and carers in the design, delivery and improvement of care.

Job description

To view a detailed job description and person specification including the main responsibilities of this role please see supporting documents.

About us

We're an NHS community and mental health provider Trust based in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We deliver community and hospital-based care to improve people's physical and mental health. We also provide specialist support to people with dementia or a learning disability.

We are a people organisation and people matter to us. As part of the team, you'll help support the health and wellbeing of the people who live and visit this beautiful part of the UK.

Over 5,000 people make up the Trust. This includes doctors, nurses, therapists, plus admin and support staff.

We work in people's homes, in community clinics and bases. Some staff work from one of our 10 community hospitals. Our aspiration is to have great people, provide great care, be a great place to work and a great partner.

Approximately 568,000 people live here. A third of people who live in Cornwall are supported by acute hospital services in Devon. As a result, we also work closely with our partners in Devon. In the summer, and during other holidays lots of people choose to visit the area. This increase the numbers of people who use out services.