National Programme Lead

Community Development & Social Enterprise

Disability

Equality & Law

Health

Housing & Homelessness

International Development

Learning

Local

Local Infrastructure Organisation

Older People

Other

Social Care

Youth

• On site: Tomnahurich Street, Inverness (with regular travel throughout Scotland)
• Closing 11th April 2025
• Advertised from 25th March 2025

About Us

Change Mental Health is a leading national mental health charity providing unique support to people with severe and enduring mental ill health. With over 50 years' experience across Scotland, we believe people affected by poor mental health and illness deserve the highest quality of support in the community and that every person has the right to be valued and to share in the opportunities, challenges, and joys of everyday life.

About National Programmes

Change Mental Health is the lead partner in the Highlands for the Scottish Government's Distress Brief Intervention project (DBI). The DBI is a Scotland-wide pilot project, testing a ground-breaking approach to address the emotional and psychological pain experienced by people in distress.

Working in partnership with frontline services, including Police, Ambulance service, Primary Care and mental health teams, the project provides rapid referral to focused, short-term support, with the option of onward referral to longer-term support if required. For further information about DBI and our involvement in the project, head to our website and visit DBI.scot.

As the National Programme lead, you will play a significant role in this major, high profile Scottish Government project. Additionally, you will lead on the development of new national programmes/services and oversee the running of them.

About the Role

As National Programme Lead, you will oversee and lead all Change Mental Health DBI Teams and assist in the development of the DBI programme on behalf of Change Mental Health. You will have responsibility to ensure that our work to support people in distress is delivered to a high standard and within the framework agreed with the Scottish Government and the DBI Programme Board. You will provide visible leadership to staff and be a strong role model and leader in building a positive and supportive culture as part of your role.

You will work closely with senior colleagues in Change Mental Health and in a wide range of statutory and third sector agencies to ensure that the Distress Brief Intervention, and other national programmes of work/services continue to deliver an innovative service in a compassionate and connected way. With partnership working at the forefront, you will develop the services while working closely with key partners, in liaison with the appropriate Heads of Service and the Director of Services.

The National Programme Lead will work across several areas of Scotland including, but not limited to, Highland, Argyll & Bute, Dumfries and Galloway, Western Isles and CMH National office in Edinburgh.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

• Oversee all DBI services provided by Change Mental Health, including responsibility for all quality and reporting aspects of delivery.
• Lead on the roll out and expansion of DBI Services within Change Mental Health areas.
• Lead on discussions with partners around the future of existing DBI projects, including funding opportunities and expansion of current pathways.
• Oversee management of the rota system, ongoing development of the Change Mental Health DBI Hub and DBI Managers meetings.
• Develop and oversee new national services ensuring a robust quality framework is in place to support the best practice and continuous improvement within the service.
• Ensure Change Mental Health Policies and Procedures are implemented and understood including Safeguarding and Health and Safety.
• Develop and maintain excellent partnerships with statutory and third sector agencies and partners in all areas.
• Monitor existing funding contracts and highlight any challenges around these within appropriate timeframes.
• Leading on local and national groups relevant to the National programmes e.g. DBI Programme Board meetings and local implementation groups.
• Providing line management, including support & supervision to Project Managers / Team Leaders both virtually and face to face.
• Provide out-of-hours support to national programme teams on a rota-basis.
• Be part of the Management Team for National services and work closely with peers to provide guidance and support, as required.

Personal Specification:

• Experience of setting up and managing programmes/services in a third sector setting.
• Experience of cultivating and maintaining stakeholder relationships to support the development of the service.
• Demonstrable experience of positively leading, managing and motivating a large team of staff to provide high-quality support to those accessing support.
• Demonstrates effective communication, with the ability to adapt based on the situation and audience, including presenting to and engaging with external stakeholders.
• Skilled in prioritizing workload demands and responding effectively and in a positive manner.
• Demonstrates the ability to work autonomously to complete tasks in an efficient manner while being part of a larger team.
• Highly motivated to deliver best practice with continuous improvement, including opportunities to embed reflective practice into delivery.
• Experience of working in a fast-paced environment and with the ability to make sound decisions and judgement calls quickly and appropriately.
• Skilled in identifying and cultivating opportunities to grow and develop the service.
• Experience of appropriately and safely managing safeguarding and adult protection concerns.

General Duties:

• Act in accordance with Data Protection legislation. Ensure all records, personal, staff and client data are managed in line with Data Management and Information Governance policies.
• Comply with legal and regulatory requirements such as provisions set out in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
• As with all employees, workers and volunteers; to encourage people to join Change Mental Health as a member, donor or activist.
• To act in accordance with the charity's Health & Safety and Safeguarding policies and to notify a line manager promptly if there are any concerns.
• To participate in regular supervision and appraisal and undertake any relevant training as appropriate to the role.
• To work in accordance with the charity's national policies and local operating procedures and those of external regulators or professional bodies.

This job profile and list of duties is not exhaustive and serves only to highlight the main requirements. The line manager may stipulate other reasonable requirements and projects commensurate with the general profile and grade of the post.

Please be aware that it is classed as an offence if you apply for this role and are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to vulnerable adults.

24/7 access to an award-winning Employee Assistance Programme providing free legal, financial, and medical advice as well as support with life's challenges.

• Travel season ticket loan.
• A great work life balance with flexible and blended working environment.
• Access to purchase a Blue Light Discount Card.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Enhanced sick pay and leave entitlements.
• Professional development including funded opportunities.

This post will be subject to a PVG check for working with Children & Adults.

Please note all applications must be received by midday on Friday 11th April 2025.

Interviews are due to be held on Monday 21st and Tuesday 22nd April 2025.

We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds. If you consider yourself to have a disability, please inform us of any arrangements that we may make to the interview process.

Please don't delay your application to avoid any disappointment, as we reserve the right to close this advert earlier or later than stated.