Current Vacancies

Implementation Support Manager

Location: Central or South West London

Salary: £30,000 – £35,000 (NHS Band 6)

Hours: 0.6-0.8 FTE, flexible working with core office hours

Reporting to: Executive Lead

How to apply: Please send a CV and cover letter to [email protected]

Closing date: Friday 8th November 2019

Who we are

The SASP is a national network of organisations in the UK, who provide support to people bereaved by suicide, or facilitate such support. We are a Special Interest Group within the National Suicide Prevention Alliance and are currently governed and hosted by CALM. We have over 70 members and supporters and, together, we address the need for formal, multi-agency, proactive suicide bereavement support, based on our Vision that: ‘Everyone bereaved or affected by suicide is offered timely and appropriate support.’

 We are at the centre of driving government policy and practical change; including providing written and oral evidence to the Health and Social Care Select Committee Inquiry into suicide prevention, working closely with NHS England to drive their long term plan, and building strong relationships with the Chief Coroners’ Office, Public Health England, the Department of Health and Social Care, Department of Work and Pensions, and Health Education England.

 Our network of over 70 Members and Supporters are third sector organisations, local bereavement support services, public bodies, Royal Colleges, frontline services, individuals, NHS Trusts, and others. We run members meetings several times a year, and keep members informed through a quarterly newsletter.

 The Role

This is a substantial and varied role. The Implementation Support Manager will need to use a wide skill set to oversee the implementation of the SASP’s national support of the NHS Long Term Plan, while working in partnership with our Members, Leadership Team, Expert Implementation Group, and external stakeholders (such as the NHS England) to drive change. This will include the further development of a SASP-run Central Hub of information and resources, which will provide the essential foundation for these new services throughout the country. We are looking for someone who is personable, passionate, organised, and experienced in complex project management and implementation. The role of the Implementation Manager is split into several key areas:

Supporting the national implementation of suicide bereavement support services

 You will work with the Executive Lead, the Implementation Steering Group, the Expert Reference Group, and the NHS Mental Health Team, to oversee the implementation strategy of the NHS Long Term Plan. This may include:

  •     Overseeing the development of a national picture of activity and services
  •     Guiding the strategy for implementing bereavement support across England over the next 5 years
  •     Coordinating with NHSE to organise meetings with the Expert Reference Group
  •     Work with policy makers to secure funding for the Central Hub
  •     Assisting with bid writing where needed

Supporting new services to develop suicide bereavement support services

  •     Ensuring that minimum standards are consistently met by new services
  •     Developing close relationships with new services
  •     Ensuring new services have clear goals and targets
  •     Working with new services to measure outcomes and share good practice

  Leading the development of the Central Hub

  •     Leading development of resources
  •     Leading on the development of an education offer, which might include information and upskilling days and workshops
  •     Developing evaluation tools for services
  •     Securing funding to expand our capacity and reach through the Central Hub

You will report to the SASP Executive Lead, and work closely with the Expert Reference Group and the Leadership Team.

 Skills and experience

This job is ideally suited to someone, organised, calm and collected, with extensive experience of working to implement services in public health. A background with PHE, NHSE or similar body would be an advantage, as will a good understanding of the third sector. You should be someone who enjoys a challenging, people focussed role, in a fast paced, ever changing, environment. The skills and experience needed are:         

Skills

  •     Ability to bring people together around a common Vision and plan
  •     Excellent knowledge of the sector of suicide prevention and bereavement support services
  •     Excellent knowledge of NHSE and public body systems
  •     Highly motivated, and able to motivate others
  •     Outstanding written and oral English
  •     Highly organised
  •     Able to work with direction, and also with light touch management
  •     Ability to work with a diverse background of people; you must be personable
  •     Ability to think strategically, flexibly, and act proactively and appropriately in rapidly-changing situations
  •     Ability to implement priorities, manage multiple tasks and work to tight deadlines
  •     Patience
  •     An excellent knowledge of the field of suicide prevention nationally and internationally
  •     Strong problem solving skills with high level of attention to detail
  •     Active listening skills, and a high level of empathy for others
  •     A resilience to the work and the nature of our work
  •     A good sense of humour may help

Experience

  •     In depth knowledge of NHSE systems, from both national and local perspectives
  •     Experience of working in the charity sector, especially with organisations of different sizes and national influence
  •     Experience of fundraising and bid writing would be helpful
  •     Experience of coordinating a national programme in a mental health field
  •     An understanding of suicide bereavement. Personal experience is not necessary, but a deep understanding of being impacted is essential.

Background

In January 2019, the NHS published a Long Term Plan, with an intention to implement:

  • post-crisis support for families and staff, who are bereaved by suicide, through the NHS 111 helpline system (page 70, paragraph 3.97)
  • Suicide bereavement support for [bereaved] families, and staff working in mental health crisis services in every area of the country (page 72, paragraph 3.106)     

SASP has supported NHS England’s Mental Health Team to implement this intention and over the last nine months we have:

  • Developed the first stage of a Central Hub of resources, information, and support; with a website for commissioners, STP leads, and those developing services or applying for funding
  • Developed a proposal for upskilling and education days, which can be delivered locally
  • Worked with NHSE to build a comprehensive picture of existing local support in England, develop a strategy for shortlisting areas eligible for funding, and identify which areas are ready to be part of the Long Term Plan.
  • Worked with NHSE to support STP areas who have received NHSE LTP funding to develop proactive suicide bereavement support services
  • Developed relationships with the NHSE Regional and STP Leads who have been involved in the LTP