The Social Care Institute for Excellence is a national charity and improvement agency which improves the lived experience of people using social care.
We do this by working in partnership with people with lived experience, commissioners, organisations which provide care and policy makers but we are independent of any specific sector interest. We influence improved outcomes through a range of activities including consultancy, policy development, research and evaluation, audits and reviews, training and the production of evidence-based tools and resources.
To help us implement our ambitious new strategy we are looking for a number of experienced, adaptable, highly motivated and outcome-focused individuals to join our fantastic team that makes evidence-based improvements for people with lived experience of social care by achieving the following:
- Driving improvements in social care locally, through our consultancy and improvement support offer to local authorities and other local organisations, to help local partners to develop and execute sustainable plans which improve outcomes.
- Influencing better policy and practice nationally through our policy and influencing work
- Supporting better safeguarding everywhere through our safeguarding audits, reviews and training so organisations are confident we have made their organisations and their services safer.
First and foremost, we are looking for the right type of individual, someone who is interested in the vision and values of the organisation and who wants to make a difference.
Mental Health Practice Lead
A great opportunity for you to join our small, friendly team and make a real difference to people’s lives by:
· providing expert support in the development of policy and practical guidance aligned with Mental Health Legislation
· supporting local authorities and care providers to effectively roll out and implement best practice and policy changes introduced by the new Act, ensuring consistency, quality, and improved outcomes across the sector
· creating an inspiring and engaging learning environment
· champion innovation across diverse projects across other projects within SCIE.
What we are looking for:
· exceptional communication skills, including facilitation, public speaking, and concise evidence-based report writing, for varied audiences
· proven ability to analyse qualitative and quantitative data to inform decision-making
· comprehensive understanding of Mental health legislation and associated social care policies
· registered Mental Health Nurse, Social Worker, or Allied Health Professional
· demonstrable expertise in Mental health law practice and/or Social care practice and management
· commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion
· demonstrable experience of working in co-production with people who draw on mental health services including co-designing, delivery and evaluation
· commitment to SCIE’s values and principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion
· ability to establish collaborative relationships with stakeholders, including individuals who use services, carers, and professionals
· experience of contributing to business growth, bid writing and tenders.
What we offer in return
We offer excellent staff benefits including a competitive salary and homeworking allowance. We provide an employer pension contribution above the statutory minimum, an award-winning employee assistance programme, and an attractive holiday package which rises with length of service. Benefits of working for SCIE can be found here: Work for the Social Care Institute for Excellence – SCIE.
If you would like to access the application form in a different format or if would like any assistance that might help improve your experience while completing the application, please contact us.
Contract and salary
- Contract type: Permanent.
- Part-time – 21 hours a week.
- Starting salary £40,001 per year (full time equivalent).
- Home based but must have the ability to travel to London every four weeks for staff meetings and other occasions as requested. Travel expenses are paid.
- Closing date: 31 July 2025 at 12 noon but we may close early in response to applications received.
- Interview date: 8 August 2025
You must have the right to work within the UK. This is a UK based role and cannot be done outside of the UK.
How to apply for this role
Please send a full curriculum vitae (CV) and a personal statement explaining (in no more than two pages) how you meet the person specification and your motivations for applying for the role. Send your application to: recruitment@scie.org.uk as soon as possible but at the latest by 12pm 31 July 2025. Depending on applications received, SCIE reserves the right to bring forward the deadline.
We value diversity in our workforce and are committed to equal opportunities. If you would like to apply, please complete and return the attached equality, diversity, and inclusion monitoring form Candidate Diversity Survey 2025-26. SCIE is a Disability Confident Employer and offers a guaranteed interview to candidates with disabilities who meet all essential criteria. Please advise if you wish to use the Guaranteed Interview Scheme within your covering email when you send the application.
You must have the right to work within the UK. This is a UK based role and cannot be done outside of the UK.
Please note, that as a homeworking organisation we require the successful candidate to have a reliable Wi-Fi connection and a minimum 10Mb/s broadband.
To stay connected to your colleagues and the work of the wider organisation you will be required to travel to London on a monthly basis to attend meetings. You may also be required to travel to UK-based clients for meetings and events necessary for the role.
How to apply:
Please check the instructions for the specific role you are interested in, as you may be required to complete additional tasks unique to that application.
If you want to be part of a great team that is passionate about improving social care, then please apply when there is a vacancy. For your application to be considered, please include the following:
- A cover letter of no more than two pages outlining your interest in the opportunity and how you meet the essential criteria
- Your CV
- As part of the application process we require that you complete our diversity monitoring form.
- If you do not have a cover letter or CV, please submit a Completed application form
Please send all applications and supporting information to recruitment@scie.org.uk
If you have any questions please contact recruitment@scie.org.uk
No agencies or consultancies – we are looking for experienced individuals
UK resident applicants ONLY. You must already have the right to work within the UK
You may be asked to take a test as well as attend an interview, which would take place online.
Please make sure that you have enclosed all the relevant documents with your application.
We value diversity in our workforce and are committed to equal opportunities. SCIE is a Disability Confident Employer and offers a guaranteed interview to candidates with disabilities who meet all essential criteria.
Please note, that as a homeworking organisation we require the successful candidate to have a reliable Wi-Fi connection and a minimum 10Mb/s broadband.
In order to stay connected to your colleagues and the work of the wider organisation you will be required to travel to London on a monthly basis to attend meetings. You may also be required to travel to UK-based clients for meetings and events necessary for the role.