Oxford Health NHS Trust

Service Manager for Learning Disabilities (Oxfordshire)

The closing date is 22 April 2026

Job summary

Are you an inspiring leader with a passion for improving the lives of people with learning disabilities?

We are seeking a dynamic, forward-thinking Service Manager to join our Learning Disabilities Directorate. This is an exciting opportunity to shape high-quality, person-centred services across Oxfordshire.

In this pivotal role you will lead dedicated multi-disciplinary teams who carry out specialist, complex work and are committed to delivering outstanding care for people with learning disabilities, their families and carers. You will drive service development, champion innovation and ensure consistent, compassionate and safe practice as well as having the scope to influence the future direction of the Directorate.

Working closely with the Service & Clinical Director, Clinical Leads and Team Managers you will help us deliver on our vision: enabling people with learning disabilities to live healthy, fulfilling lives with dignity, independence, and equitable access to healthcare.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who thrives on collaboration, enjoys problem-solving, and has the confidence to lead change. If you are motivated by making a genuine difference and want to develop your leadership career within a supportive, values-driven NHS Trust, this role offers the challenge, variety and purpose you're looking for!

We know that a work-life balance is important, so we are open to you working compressed hours and can offer this on a hybrid working basis.

Main duties of the job

As Service Manager for the Learning Disabilities Directorate, you will play a key leadership role ensuring high-quality, person-centred care is delivered safely and efficiently across our four Learning Disability Services.

You will provide operational leadership and line management to the Team Managers with a focus on staffing, training, finance, performance and service development. Whilst ensuring services are delivered in line with Trust policies, clinical standards and National guidance.

Working closely with the Clinical & Service Director, Clinical Leads, Team Managers as well as external partners, you'll be strategic in your thinking and be able to inspire others to join your vision to help meet service user need - and deliver sustainably.

The main responsibilities can be broken down in strategy, policy and delivery across the following areas:

  • Quality
  • Workforce
  • Finance
  • Performance
  • Strategic change
  • Stakeholder engagement/partnership

About us

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust provides physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset.

  • Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitalsM, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible

Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive:"Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"

Our values are:"Caring, safe and excellent"

At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:

  • Excellent opportunities for career progression
  • Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
  • 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
  • NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
  • Competitive pension scheme
  • Lease car scheme
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Employee Assistance Programme
  • Mental Health First Aiders
  • Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists may apply)
  • Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team

Details

Date posted

09 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£66,582 to £77,368 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

267-LD7875719

Job locations

Slade House

Horspath Driftway, Headington

Oxford

OX3 7JH


Job description

Job responsibilities

As Service Manager, some of your key responsibilities will include:

Operational Leadership & Workforce

  • Provide line management, supervision and support to the Directorates four Team Managers (City & South, North, Intensive Support Team and Reasonable Adjustment Service).
  • Lead a culture within the service that ensures that all employees comply with relevant Trust Policies and guidelines and supports the delivery Directorate Strategy.
  • Promote a positive, inclusive and supportive team culture
  • Lead workforce planning to ensure teams have the skills and tools to deliver high-quality care.

Quality, Safety & Governance

  • Support Quality Improvement across the Directorate, fostering a culture of learning, reflection and continual improvement.
  • Ensure robust governance processes are in place including incident management, risk assessments, audits and compliance monitoring.
  • Work closely with the wider service to address safety concerns, improve service pathways and embed best practice.
  • Work collaboratively with colleagues to address complaints and incidents appropriately

Performance & Financial Management

  • Monitor and manage performance indicators including waiting times, activity levels and service targets.
  • Manage delegated budgets effectively, supporting cost-efficient service delivery whilst maintaining high standards of care.
  • Produce accurate reports, business cases and action plans for the senior leadership team.

Strategic & Service Development

  • Support the development and implementation of service improvement initiatives aligned to the Trust and Directorate priorities.
  • Contribute to long-term planning, pathway re-design and innovation projects that enhance outcomes for people with learning disabilities.
  • Build and maintain effective working relationships with commissioners, local authorities, advocacy groups and other key stakeholders
  • Represent the Directorate at internal and external meetings and champion the voice and rights of people with learning disabilities

We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.

The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview, and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.

We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. We kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of their experience and must take care to ensure the use of AI tools does not generate an application that does not accurately reflect their knowledge, skills and values.

Job description

Job responsibilities

As Service Manager, some of your key responsibilities will include:

Operational Leadership & Workforce

  • Provide line management, supervision and support to the Directorates four Team Managers (City & South, North, Intensive Support Team and Reasonable Adjustment Service).
  • Lead a culture within the service that ensures that all employees comply with relevant Trust Policies and guidelines and supports the delivery Directorate Strategy.
  • Promote a positive, inclusive and supportive team culture
  • Lead workforce planning to ensure teams have the skills and tools to deliver high-quality care.

Quality, Safety & Governance

  • Support Quality Improvement across the Directorate, fostering a culture of learning, reflection and continual improvement.
  • Ensure robust governance processes are in place including incident management, risk assessments, audits and compliance monitoring.
  • Work closely with the wider service to address safety concerns, improve service pathways and embed best practice.
  • Work collaboratively with colleagues to address complaints and incidents appropriately

Performance & Financial Management

  • Monitor and manage performance indicators including waiting times, activity levels and service targets.
  • Manage delegated budgets effectively, supporting cost-efficient service delivery whilst maintaining high standards of care.
  • Produce accurate reports, business cases and action plans for the senior leadership team.

Strategic & Service Development

  • Support the development and implementation of service improvement initiatives aligned to the Trust and Directorate priorities.
  • Contribute to long-term planning, pathway re-design and innovation projects that enhance outcomes for people with learning disabilities.
  • Build and maintain effective working relationships with commissioners, local authorities, advocacy groups and other key stakeholders
  • Represent the Directorate at internal and external meetings and champion the voice and rights of people with learning disabilities

We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.

The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview, and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.

We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. We kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of their experience and must take care to ensure the use of AI tools does not generate an application that does not accurately reflect their knowledge, skills and values.

Person Specification

essential

Essential

  • LD management experiences at senior level for at least 12 months
  • experience and examples of how they have managed performance and finance with in previous roles
  • Ability to communicate in verbal and written form across all levels with in the organisation

essential

Essential

  • ability to work with others to find creative solutions to financial challenges

essential

Essential

  • evidence of support with complaints and or grievances with good outcomes
Person Specification

essential

Essential

  • LD management experiences at senior level for at least 12 months
  • experience and examples of how they have managed performance and finance with in previous roles
  • Ability to communicate in verbal and written form across all levels with in the organisation

essential

Essential

  • ability to work with others to find creative solutions to financial challenges

essential

Essential

  • evidence of support with complaints and or grievances with good outcomes

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 details

Employer name

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

Slade House

Horspath Driftway, Headington

Oxford

OX3 7JH


Employer's website

https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

Slade House

Horspath Driftway, Headington

Oxford

OX3 7JH


Employer's website

https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Director Learning Disabilites

Kirsten Prance

kirsten.prance@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk

07760614362

Details

Date posted

09 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£66,582 to £77,368 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

267-LD7875719

Job locations

Slade House

Horspath Driftway, Headington

Oxford

OX3 7JH


Supporting documents

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