Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Social Work Discharge Planning Lead

The closing date is 02 December 2025

Job summary

Following a review of inpatient discharge processes in 2022 it became evident that additional support to encourage the early planning, comprehensive assessment and support towards discharge of those admitted to a Trust hospital was necessary. It was also evident that a strong emphasis on the individual's social and home circumstances was required from a professional social work perspective.

We are looking for a dynamic social work practitioner who can bring an expertise in social work to a multidisciplinary inpatient setting. A strong background in mental health social work, related legislation and community support should combine with the ability to drive an inclusive strengths based approach to effective discharge planning.

Main duties of the job

If you are interested and motivated in providing the very best experiences of inpatient services, making this as short as necessary, but with the most appropriate post discharge support, then this may be your opportunity to make a profound difference to the lives of others.

The location of the position is The Harbour, Blackpool.

Please contact Sue Ball Susan.ball@lscft.nhs.uk or Michael Holt or michael.holt@lscft.nhs.uk if you would like to discuss the position further.

About us

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of services including secondary mental health care across this area. Specialist provision comprises inpatient child and adolescent mental health services, perinatal mental health and forensic services including low and medium secure care.

The Trust also provides a range of physical health and well-being services in the community alongside a range of partners in the Lancashire, Cumbria and Sefton area.

Lancashire & South Cumbria Foundation Trust encourages flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as; term time, part time, compressed hours, flexi-time and career breaks. We encourage applicants to state clearly on their application forms this request and discuss these options at interview.

For more information please visit our website via Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS FT.

Date posted

18 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

351-FYL641-MF

Job locations

The Harbour

Blackpool

FY4 4FE

Job description

Job responsibilities

For more details on this vacancy please review the attached job description and person specification.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For more details on this vacancy please review the attached job description and person specification.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Registered Social Worker
Degree level qualification and or equivalent level of skills, knowledge and experience.

Knowledge

Essential

In-depth knowledge of social care issues and how this relates to care delivery.
Highly developed specialist knowledge across a range of interventions, legal frameworks and assessment methods which are relevant to learning disability.
Working knowledge of current legislation and national initiatives

Experience

Essential

Experience of working with people with mental health needs
Experience of working across health/social care/education boundaries.
Experience of multi-agency co-ordination where service users have complex needs.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Registered Social Worker
Degree level qualification and or equivalent level of skills, knowledge and experience.

Knowledge

Essential

In-depth knowledge of social care issues and how this relates to care delivery.
Highly developed specialist knowledge across a range of interventions, legal frameworks and assessment methods which are relevant to learning disability.
Working knowledge of current legislation and national initiatives

Experience

Essential

Experience of working with people with mental health needs
Experience of working across health/social care/education boundaries.
Experience of multi-agency co-ordination where service users have complex needs.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Harbour

Blackpool

FY4 4FE

Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Harbour

Blackpool

FY4 4FE

Employer's website

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