Deputy Operational Lead
At a glance
- Band
- Band 7
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Full-time
- Posted
- 04/09/2026
- Closes
- 13/09/2026
Sponsorship verdict
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Role summary
This role is for a Deputy Operational Lead to support the Neurodevelopmental Assessment and ADHD Pathway in Buckinghamshire. You will help manage and develop the service, deputise for the Operational Lead, and line manage team colleagues. The position involves working with children and young people with ADHD and neurodevelopmental challenges, focusing on high-quality, neuro-affirming care. It's an opportunity for a professional with a background in social work, mental health nursing, OT, or SALT to step into a leadership role.
Essential criteria
- Registered Mental Health Nurse, Learning Disability Nurse, Paediatric Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Speech and Language Therapist, Social Worker or other relevant registered professional qualification
- Current registration with relevant professional body (NMC, HCPC, Social Work England or equivalent)
- Evidence of continuing professional development and maintenance of professional registration
- Degree-level professional qualification or equivalent experience
Desirable criteria
- Master's degree in a relevant clinical, leadership or management discipline
- Leadership or management qualification
- ADOS trained and/or additional neurodevelopmental assessment training
- Teaching, supervision or mentoring qualification
- Significant post-registration experience working with children and young people with mental health and/or neurodevelopmental needs
- Experience of providing clinical supervision, mentorship or leadership to colleagues
- Experience of multidisciplinary and multi-agency working across health, education and social care
- Experience of complex assessment, formulation, risk management and clinical decision-making
- Experience contributing to service improvement, audit, quality assurance or governance activities
- Experience working within a dedicated Neurodevelopmental Assessment Service or ADHD pathway
- Experience of line management and appraisal responsibilities
- Experience working within CAMHS community services
- Experience supporting ADHD medication pathways
- Experience leading service development or pathway redesign initiatives
- Knowledge and skills
- Sound knowledge of neurodevelopmental conditions, including Autism and ADHD
- Understanding of neuro-affirming, child-centred and evidence-based practice
- Ability to undertake specialist assessments and contribute to formulation-led care planning
- Strong clinical risk assessment and risk management skills
- Ability to make autonomous clinical decisions and manage clinical complexity
- Excellent communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex and sensitive information to children, families and professionals
- Ability to lead, motivate and support staff through change and service pressures
- Understanding of clinical governance, safeguarding, quality improvement and performance management processes
- Strong organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities effectively
- Advanced knowledge of neurodevelopmental assessment frameworks and NICE guidance
- Direct experience of conducting neurodevelopmental assessments
- Knowledge of ADHD medication monitoring and governance requirements
- Experience interpreting performance and activity data
- Experience presenting information to senior leaders or external agencies
- Leadership and Management
- Experience supporting staff development through supervision, coaching or leadership
- Ability to promote a positive, inclusive and psychologically safe team culture
- Ability to contribute to workforce planning, recruitment and staff development
- Demonstrates values-based, compassionate leadership and professional integrity
- Formal leadership experience within CAMHS or neurodevelopmental services
- Experience managing performance, attendance or capability processes
- Other
- Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and neuro-affirming practice
- Ability to travel across Buckinghamshire and surrounding localities as required by the role
- Lived experience of neurodiversity
- Training and Qualifications
- Registered Mental Health Nurse, Learning Disability Nurse, Paediatric Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Speech and Language Therapist, Social Worker or other relevant registered professional qualification
- Current registration with relevant professional body (NMC, HCPC, Social Work England or equivalent)
- Evidence of continuing professional development and maintenance of professional registration
- Degree-level professional qualification or equivalent experience
- Master's degree in a relevant clinical, leadership or management discipline
- Leadership or management qualification
- ADOS trained and/or additional neurodevelopmental assessment training
- Teaching, supervision or mentoring qualification
- Significant post-registration experience working with children and young people with mental health and/or neurodevelopmental needs
- Experience of providing clinical supervision, mentorship or leadership to colleagues
- Experience of multidisciplinary and multi-agen
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 7 at £46,148 – £52,809 a year, across England.
This advert: £49,387 – £56,515 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 3d ago · Closes in 7d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
Job summary
Do you want to take a step up into leadership in a clinical setting supporting young people with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental challenges?
We are looking for a Deputy Operational Lead to join our Aylesbury based team on a. You will be joining a busy service of committed and welcoming people who strive to offer a high-quality service. You should be a motivated individual who is confident to support the operational lead in maintaining the high standards.
Both teams have recently undergone significant redesign which has included a change in processes and recruitment, they have met this challenge with enthusiasm and a focus on quality and commitment to enabling best outcomes for the families in Bucks. The team strive to be neuro-affirming and embrace the role they undertake using a strength based approach.
You should have a background of being a social worker, mental health nurse, OT or SALT professional ideally having worked with children and young people.
This could be your first step into a leadership position in a clinical setting or continuing to build and hone your skillsets in a slightly different environment.
Main duties of the job
- Support the Operational Lead in managing and developing the Buckinghamshire Neurodevelopmental Assessment and ADHD Pathway, including clinical structures, staff recruitment, and service implementation.
- Deputise f
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