The role of Head of Department, Mental Health, Learning Disabilities in the Faculty of Health and Social Care. encompasses the strategic development, implementation and quality enhancement of subject related programmes throughout the Faculty. Departmental leadership supports a growing portfolio of modules, courses and programmes. These are at diploma, degree and Masters level. During the last 5 years I have led the review and revalidation of the Faculty’s undergraduate Pre-registration Professional Programmes (2009-10), supported the validation of Pre-registration Nurse Programmes to meet the NMC (2010) Standards in 2012 and during 2012-13 successfully led the re-validation of the BSc (Hons) Children’s/ Learning Disabilities Nurse Social Work Programmes. I maintain a direct interest in innovative curriculum design and development, and engagement with local HEI and NHS collaborative networks ensures currency and relevance. As a member of Mental Health Academics UK, I also engage with national networks that influence both current and future Mental Health service provision and its concomitant educational implications. Research activity includes a workforce development needs analysis study for two local NHS Trusts which included service user and carer engagement. In line with my interest in curriculum design and development I set up and currently Chair the newly established Faculty Service User and Carer Forum. In its first year forum members have contributed to a number of programme developments in the Faculty as well as engaging with a range of activity including recruitment and teaching and learning.