Job summary We are looking for a motivated, enthusiastic, compassionate matron to work across 2 medium secure forensic wards and the Forensic Outreach Liaison Service (FOLS) in Maidstone. You need to demonstrate strong clinical and operational leadership. The post holder will deliver on 10 Key Responsibilities; Leading by example Making sure patients get quality care Ensuring staffing is appropriate to patient needs Empowering nurses to take on a wider range of clinical service Improving 'Team areas' cleanliness Ensuring patients' nutritional needs are met Improving wards for patients (to include supporting ward in identification of ligatures and management plan regarding existing ligatures) Making sure patients are treated with respect Preventing (hospital)acquired infection Resolving problems for patients and their relatives by building closer relationships Main duties of the job The role of the matron is critical in ensuring that all patients experience the highest standards of clinical care. This will be achieved by a combination of a daily presence on wards, professional curiosity and expert knowledge in care delivery in their specific areas. They will be visible to patients and carers and be available to resolve issues that arise. They will provide supervision to ward managers and be sighted on local risks to local care delivery and have an ability to work collaboratively with others to put in plans to mitigate the risks. The post holder will take a facilitative and empowering approach, nurturing creativity and being open to doing things differently if the desired outcomes improves patient, carer and staff experience. They will work closely with other matrons, governance lead and officer to ensure that quality data is triangulated and validated. The post holder will seek to work with others to maximise digital solutions where possible. About us Come and work with us in the Garden of England where we combine exceptional professional development opportunities with a tremendous quality of life. We are Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT), providing mental health, learning disability and specialist services, serving 1.8 million people in Kent and Medway, as well as specialist services for adults in Sussex and Surrey. We are rated Good overall by the CQC. Each year we care for over 2,000 people in our hospitals and 54,000 people in the community. We are proud to employ over 3,800 people from 66 nationalities, and to serve an increasingly diverse range of communities across rural and urban areas. You will be joining friendly, passionate colleagues, rich in their diversity, who are committed to providing excellent care to our service users and their loved ones. The nature of our work attracts kindness and compassion as standard and everyone from our cleaners and porters to the chief executive and chairman are recognised as playing a vital role in providing an exemplary service. Our strategy Our mission is what we set out to do every day We deliver brilliant care through brilliant people Our vision is where we want to be in the future To provide outstanding care and to work in partnership to deliver this in the right place, for every service user, every time. Check out our recruitment videos Recruitment - YouTube Date posted 17 April 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8a Salary £53,755 to £60,504 a year 0 Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 380-FR0562 Job locations Trevor Gibbens Unit Trevor Gibbens Unit, Hermitage Lane, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 9PL Maidstone ME16 9PL Job description Job responsibilities Working closely with the professional heads and the General Manager to provide demonstrable assurance that the quality of the clinical services including patient safety, patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes meet the required high standards. This will include investigations into serious incidents, complaints and staffing issues, appraisal, supervision and training of staff and compliance with mandatory reporting. Working with the Clinical and Service Leadership to recruit, motivate and train the workforce. To be able to demonstrate that staff have the appropriate skills and training to deliver high quality care. To support the appointment of Ward Managers with the appropriate competencies. To be visible and available and to manage the performance of services to ensure excellent clinical outcomes and good levels of engagement. Job description Job responsibilities Working closely with the professional heads and the General Manager to provide demonstrable assurance that the quality of the clinical services including patient safety, patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes meet the required high standards. This will include investigations into serious incidents, complaints and staffing issues, appraisal, supervision and training of staff and compliance with mandatory reporting. Working with the Clinical and Service Leadership to recruit, motivate and train the workforce. To be able to demonstrate that staff have the appropriate skills and training to deliver high quality care. To support the appointment of Ward Managers with the appropriate competencies. To be visible and available and to manage the performance of services to ensure excellent clinical outcomes and good levels of engagement. Person Specification Education/Qualification Essential Registered mental health nurse Evidence of continuing professional development to Master's level or equivalent. Experience Essential Experience at a senior management level, including managing change and introducing new ways of working for mental health nurses. Experience of setting, monitoring and evaluating standards of care. Quality improvement methodology Assessing and teaching. Experience of individual and team Performance Management and Appraisals. Experience of multi-professional collaboration at a senior level. Skill and Knowledge Essential Understanding of risk issues including Clinical and Health and Safety Ability to manage and deal with crisis situations, containing anxiety and provide solution focussed role modelling Able to work with minimum supervision and ability to set priorities in line with local and national priorities. Knowledge of current professional developments in nursing and nurse education and policy. Personal Qualities Essential Able to express complex issues, both verbally and in writing for a range of audiences. Highly motivated and able to work independently prioritising work and effectively dealing with competing demands. Innovative, creative and a willingness to try something new and work under pressure. Inclusive and compassionate leader. Person Specification Education/Qualification Essential Registered mental health nurse Evidence of continuing professional development to Master's level or equivalent. Experience Essential Experience at a senior management level, including managing change and introducing new ways of working for mental health nurses. Experience of setting, monitoring and evaluating standards of care. Quality improvement methodology Assessing and teaching. Experience of individual and team Performance Management and Appraisals. Experience of multi-professional collaboration at a senior level. Skill and Knowledge Essential Understanding of risk issues including Clinical and Health and Safety Ability to manage and deal with crisis situations, containing anxiety and provide solution focussed role modelling Able to work with minimum supervision and ability to set priorities in line with local and national priorities. Knowledge of current professional developments in nursing and nurse education and policy. Personal Qualities Essential Able to express complex issues, both verbally and in writing for a range of audiences. Highly motivated and able to work independently prioritising work and effectively dealing with competing demands. Innovative, creative and a willingness to try something new and work under pressure. Inclusive and compassionate leader. Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Kent & Medway NHS & Social Care Partnership Trust Address Trevor Gibbens Unit Trevor Gibbens Unit, Hermitage Lane, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 9PL Maidstone ME16 9PL Employer's website https://www.kmpt.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)