Assistant Director - Acute & Crisis Mental Health Services

Overview

We are seeking a visionary and forward-thinking Assistant Director to lead and transform crisis pathway services within mental health across our communities. This pivotal role involves operational leadership of acute in-patient wards, intensive support teams, and home treatment services, while fostering partnership and innovation to redesign care models at local and neighbourhood levels.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee delivery of acute in-patient wards (Turner and Kahlo), Health Based Places of Safety, Intensive Support team, and Havering Home Treatment Team.
• Lead development of place-based working initiatives and innovative care models in partnership with local health and social care providers.
• Collaborate across multiple stakeholders including local authorities, acute trusts, mental health providers, educational institutions, and voluntary sectors to break down barriers and enable integrated care.
• Ensure high-quality, person-centred service delivery grounded in trust values of kindness, respect, and collaboration.

Candidate Profile

• Demonstrated visionary leadership with experience in operational service redesign focused on mental health care pathways.
• Strong operational management skills anchored in quality, equity, and inclusion principles.
• Financial literacy with proven success in delivering value and managing budgets.
• Passionate about empowering teams and inspiring innovative practices.
• Proven ability to influence and work collaboratively within complex systems and multi-organisational partnerships.

Why Join Us?

Become part of a vibrant and ambitious health system dedicated to enhancing lives and reducing inequality. This role offers the opportunity to drive transformational change, shape creative models of community-based care, and support seamless, compassionate services at the point of need.

Joining Process and Induction

New hires join on the first Monday of each month, participating in a comprehensive two-week induction including mandatory and systems training, equipment setup, and engagement sessions with senior leaders. Induction takes place at our head office in Rainham, Essex.

Additional Information

• This position includes a probationary period; internal applicants are generally exempt unless specified.
• Position qualifies for High Cost Area Supplement (15% of basic salary, pro-rata £4,870 to £6,137 annually for part-time roles) applicable to certain outer London areas.
• Our Trust is rated "Good" by the CQC and actively working towards "Outstanding" status.
• We maintain award-winning equality, diversity, and staff wellbeing programs, including Disability Confident Level 3, Working Families Top 10 Employers, and Carers UK Level 1 Accreditation.
• Certificates of Sponsorship may not be available for all roles; eligibility per UKVI points-based criteria must be checked. HCAS is excluded from basic salary calculations for sponsorship purposes.
• An attached policy outlines acceptable use of AI in recruitment processes.

Contact Information

For further role discussions contact Marion Reilly, Integrated Care Director, at 07720 151081 between July 21–24 or during the week of August 3, 2026.