88 National head of operations jobs

About the role

We’re looking for an experienced and values-led Head of Practice to provide strategic and professional leadership for practice across Hft.

This is a key national leadership role, responsible for shaping our approach to Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), restrictive practice reduction, PROACT-SCIPr-UK, practice standards, workforce capability and coaching, and rights-based and trauma-informed practice.

A key priority will be leading Hft’s transition to PROACT-SCIPr-UK, ensuring this is embedded within our wider PBS and restrictive practice reduction approach and translates into meaningful improvements in frontline practice and the quality of life of the people we support.

You’ll lead our PBS / Practice Team, provide expert oversight of complex situations and act as a trusted professional adviser to senior leaders on practice quality, risk, outcomes and improvement.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll:

• Develop and lead an organisation-wide Practice Strategy and Practice Standards Framework.
• Provide professional leadership, advice and constructive challenge to senior and operational leaders.
• Lead and develop the PBS / Practice Team and build sustainable specialist capability.
• Lead the implementation of PROACT-SCIPr-UK across the organisation.
• Drive our restrictive practice reduction strategy, using data and evidence to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Provide specialist leadership around complex and high-risk practice situations.
• Develop workforce capability through training, coaching, observation, modelling and reflective practice.
• Embed rights-based, person-centred and trauma-informed approaches across Hft.
• Lead or contribute to practice-related policies and professional guidance.
• Provide senior leadership with clear evidence of practice quality, risk, outcomes and improvement.

What you’ll bring

We’re looking for someone with:

• Significant senior experience within learning disability and/or autism services.
• Strong professional expertise in Positive Behaviour Support.
• Significant knowledge and practical experience of PROACT-SCIPr-UK, with the ability to lead organisational implementation.
• Experience of restrictive practice reduction and least restrictive approaches.
• Experience leading specialist practice or PBS teams.
• A strong track record of developing practice standards, frameworks and guidance.
• Experience building workforce capability through coaching, training and practice leadership.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding, Mental Capacity Act principles and relevant health and social care requirements.
• The confidence to influence, advise and constructively challenge senior leaders.
• A relevant professional qualification and evidence of continued specialist development.

A postgraduate qualification in PBS, Applied Behaviour Analysis, Psychology or a related discipline, relevant professional registration and PROACT-SCIPr-UK instructor or advanced implementation experience would be desirable.

What success looks like

Success in this role will mean better outcomes and quality of life for the people we support.

You’ll help ensure that PBS is embedded in everyday practice, restrictive practices are reduced wherever safely possible, PROACT-SCIPr-UK is successfully implemented, and managers and frontline teams have the confidence and capability to deliver consistently excellent, rights-based support.

Working arrangements

This is a national hybrid role with regular travel to Hft services and other locations across the organisation.

Why Hft?

At Hft, our mission is simple: the best life possible.

We believe people with learning disabilities should be able to live within their communities, with all the choice and support they need to live the best life possible.

This is an exciting opportunity to influence practice at a national level and make a genuine difference to the lives of the people we support.

Recruitment process

Applications close on 11 October 2026.

Interviews will take place on 27 October 2026 and will be held via Microsoft Teams.