Looking for a career where you can make a real difference in your community? That’s exactly what we do here at Step One Charity.

Step One is a registered charity with over 85 years’ experience supporting people across Devon with mental health challenges, learning disabilities, and neurodiversity. As a unique provider in the region, we offer a comprehensive range of mental health support services. Our holistic approach considers each individual as a whole, addressing the wider factors that could be affecting their mental health, their ability to work, or opportunities to be part of their community.

Motivated by seeing people progress, Step One makes a real difference in the lives of more than 1,000 individuals each year.

We are looking for an inspirational and highly skilled Clinical Lead for Mental Health Services to provide clinical, professional and operational leadership across our mental health services, including Cypress Hospital, Supported Accommodation, Community Services, Devon Mental Health Alliance and BeWell.

This is a key leadership role within the organisation, offering the opportunity to influence service development, drive improvements in quality and safety, and ensure people receive compassionate, effective and recovery-focused support.

About the role

Working closely with the Director of Quality Improvement, Service Delivery & Deputy CEO and the wider Senior Leadership Team, you will provide visible and effective leadership across a range of inpatient and community-based services.

You will take delegated responsibility for service quality, clinical governance, safeguarding, risk management, workforce performance and operational delivery, ensuring our services meet the highest professional, regulatory and organisational standards.

Main duties of the job

You will:

Provide strong clinical and professional leadership, promoting evidence-based, trauma-informed and recovery-focused practice.
Oversee complex assessments, care planning, admissions, transitions and discharges, ensuring people receive safe and person-centred support.
Provide specialist guidance on complex mental health needs, risk management, safeguarding, capacity and clinical decision-making.
Lead and develop managers and multidisciplinary teams, promoting a positive culture of accountability, learning and continuous improvement.
Maintain oversight of clinical governance, incidents, complaints, audits, CQC compliance and service quality.
Build effective relationships with NHS partners, commissioners, local authorities and other external organisations.
Monitor service performance, staffing and delegated budgets, ensuring resources are used effectively while maintaining safe and high-quality services.
Lead service development and improvement initiatives, using evidence, feedback and outcomes to make a meaningful difference.

About Step One Charity

Step One is a charity dedicated to supporting people experiencing mental health challenges, helping them to build confidence, develop independence and achieve positive changes in their lives.

We provide a range of mental health services, including inpatient care, supported accommodation and community-based support. Our approach is centred around the individual, recognising that everyone's journey is different and ensuring that the people we support are treated with dignity, compassion and respect.

Our teams are made up of dedicated, skilled and compassionate professionals who share a commitment to making a meaningful difference. We value collaboration, openness and a supportive working environment where colleagues are encouraged to share ideas, develop their skills and contribute to improving the services we provide.

Working at Step One means being part of an organisation where people matter. We encourage a positive, inclusive and learning-focused culture, with a strong emphasis on teamwork, professional development and delivering high-quality care and support.

We are proud of the work we do and the difference our colleagues make every day. Joining Step One offers the opportunity to be part of a committed team, contribute to the development of our services and help people move forward in their lives.

Thank you for taking the time to find out more about current opportunities with Step One Charity. Following consideration of applications, we will invite selected candidates for a formal interview.

Please note:

Step One is not able to provide sponsorship for roles and applicants must have an existing right to work in the UK.
Step One is committed to safe and fair recruitment, safeguarding and protecting those they care for and support. The successful applicant will need to complete a criminal records self-declaration, a criminal record check (DBS) and two satisfactory references will be needed (including from your most recent employer).
Step One is an equal opportunity employer. This means that whilst seeking employment or during employment within the organisation, we will seek to ensure equality of treatment for all persons regardless of sex, race, age, marital or civil partnership status, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity status.
We are committed to taking positive action as a Disability Confident Employer. If you find your meet the essential criteria in the person specification for a role, and identify yourself as disabled under the Equality Act 2010 definition, you’ll be guaranteed a first round interview.
It is important to note that the Disability Confident Scheme guarantees an interview for candidates who meet the minimum criteria and tell us that they’d like to be considered under the scheme. The selection decision at interview will be based on the most suitable candidate, regardless of any protected characteristic.

From all Step One staff, volunteers and service users – thank you for showing interest in what we do and we wish you all the best.