Drivability Centre Manager

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Operational Manager to lead our expert and friendly team of Occupational Therapists, Driving Instructors and Administration staff on a permanent, part-time basis at Derby and the outreach services at Stoke and Newark. You will be responsible for the operational management of the service on a day-to-day basis, including all aspects of the business, staff, and service provision. This will also include practical resources, specifically the vehicle fleet and specialist adaptations.

Derby Drivability is primarily a medical driving assessment centre, and the majority of patients who are referred to the centre have some form of cognitive impairment. Other users of the centre have significant physical disabilities, who are assisted, supported, and advised on how to drive safely. Referrals to the centre come directly from the DVLA medical advisory team, Motability, the police force and courts following incidents, and NHS healthcare professionals with concerns.

Main duties of the job

1. Responsible for the effective management of the budget for DrivAbility.
2. Ensure that working practices are aligned with the biannual accreditation process.
3. Manage, coordinate, and plan department activity levels.
4. Understand and manage the flow of assessment activity.
5. Support local police forces with their safe driving campaigns.
6. Provide day-to-day line management of the staff within Derby DrivAbility including recruitment and selection, and induction of staff. Conduct appraisals, developing individuals, managing performance, absence, and mandatory training, and specific training required for the specialty.
7. Monitor and manage staff resource and skill mix to meet the demands of the service.
8. Take responsibility for dealing with informal complaint resolution and liaison with PALS.
9. Mediate in staff disputes and negotiate solutions as appropriate.
10. Motivate, engage and develop the team and act as a good role model for the team, leading by example.
11. Lead and coordinate team communication, including holding regular team meetings.

Closing date of applications: 18 February 2025

Date of interview: 4 March 2025

About us

As a trusted organisation at the heart of our communities, we recognise the important role we can play in supporting the public, patients, our own people, and local partners in achieving the best of health for the local population and the communities in which they live by providing Exceptional Care Together.

Our fundamental Values of Compassion, Openness, and Excellence underpin how we intend to work as a Trust and the associated behaviours are becoming embedded in all aspects of how we work.

In return we will offer:

• Development opportunities, both professional and leadership development.
• On-going support from recruitment to when you join our team and beyond.
• Staff benefits including employee assistance programme, discounted gym membership, onsite fitness classes, car schemes.

Job responsibilities

Please see attached Job description and Person Specification. To apply please click APPLY FOR THIS JOB this link will take you to the TRAC Recruitment Site. You will need to register if you do not already have an account.

Person Specification Training

• Educated to Degree level or equivalent experience in a leadership/business discipline.
• Demonstrates an excellent standard of English and maths (minimum O'Level/GCSE grade C/4 or above).
• Demonstrates experience of operational management, business management, coordinating staff resources, and prioritising.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the importance of personal mobility and the impact this has on a person's lifestyle.

Knowledge and Experience

• Experience in a management and leadership role in NHS/Health Care/Driving Mobility environment to include experience with supervision, appraisal, and sickness management.
• Experience of budgetary management and accountability.
• Demonstrates experience managing staffing levels, balancing budgets to meet service needs and cost improvements.
• Experience of contract management, working to service legislation (including H&S), policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Experience of working with people who require driving assessment or have physical disability/impairment.
• Knowledge of DVLA and Motability processes around driving assessments.

Communication and Relationships

• Demonstrates experience producing written reports, specifically relating to operational and financial performance to senior management and external agents.
• Experience managing and supporting resolution of team conflict, using de-escalation and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrates experience building and maintaining working relationships with colleagues and other professionals.
• Demonstrates understanding and experience of motivating others with empathy and reassurance.

Analytical and Planning

• Experience of working with KPIs and meeting targets, including those relating to demand and capacity and waiting lists.
• Experience assessing, interpreting and analysing a range of complex information.
• Experience planning and reorganising a service/service improvement to facilitate change.

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.

Employer name

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust