Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Clinical Lead

The closing date is 23 December 2025

Job summary

The Skylark ward, Avondale Unit, RPH

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 6 Deputy ward manager / team leader at Skylark ward in Central Lancashire. Skylark ward a specialist 11 bedded unit providing inpatient service for older adults.

The Unit provides assessment and interventions for clients, operates seven days a week and is accessible 24hrs per day.

We are looking for one highly motivated deputy ward managers who can demonstrate excellent clinical, leadership and interpersonal qualities. The successful candidate must be willing to work in fast paced environment, have a positive outlook and ensure that delivering a quality service, which genuinely engages with service users, carers and other stakeholders, is a key priority. You will be joining an inclusive team where everyone is welcome and valued. As a member of staff at Skylark ward you will have access to a dedicated staff car park adjacent to the ward.

The successful post holders will be expected to work shifts covering 24 hours, seven days a week.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will lead a team of registered nurses and support workers in the delivery of mental health care. They will promote the interests of service users and ensure that delegated nursing care is effectively implemented in a safe manner. The post holder will exercise professional accountability and responsibility using professional skills, knowledge and expertise in changing environments, across professional boundaries and in unfamiliar situations. The post holder will use research, audit, enquiry and scholarship to plan, implement and evaluate concepts and strategies leading to improvements in care.

About us

LSCFT values diversity and inclusion, recognising that talent from varied backgrounds creates a flexible, creative, and effective workforce. We actively challenge discrimination and welcome applications from all, regardless of age, disability (including those with experience of accessing or caring for someone who has accessed mental health or learning disability services), ethnicity, gender, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.

Our aim is to reflect the communities we serve, so we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups. If you'd like to discuss your application, please ask.

We also welcome individuals with lived experience relevant to the role or service area, as your insight brings authenticity to our services.

LSCFT support 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 and flexi-time.

Date posted

16 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

351-CEN2390-CL

Job locations

Skylark OA Inpatient Ward

Preston

PR2 9HT

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role.

Person Specification

Education/qualifications

Essential

Registered Mental Health Nurse (RNMH)
Preparation of mentor's certificate, ENB 998, or equivalent.
Evidence of continuing professional development.

Knowledge

Essential

Thorough knowledge of the mental health act 1983
An understanding of, and an ability to performance manage junior staff.
Ability to conduct management supervision.
Demonstrates knowledge of ward manager responsibilities and capability to act in the role in their absence.
Excellent clinical intervention skills.

Experience

Essential

Experience of team building and practice development.
Experience of working within mental health services at band 5
Experience of working within adult acute mental health

Personal

Essential

Commitment to working with adult mental health services.
Ability to work on a rota system that includes early shifts, late shifts, weekends, and night duty.
Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to demonstrate diplomacy, tact and negotiation skills.
Ability to manage highly stressful and emotive situations.
Acts as a role model in the delivery of high quality, effective patient care.
Ability to liaise with representatives from other organisations and to communicate a positive image of self and of the service/organisation.

Person Specification

Education/qualifications

Essential

Registered Mental Health Nurse (RNMH)
Preparation of mentor's certificate, ENB 998, or equivalent.
Evidence of continuing professional development.

Knowledge

Essential

Thorough knowledge of the mental health act 1983
An understanding of, and an ability to performance manage junior staff.
Ability to conduct management supervision.
Demonstrates knowledge of ward manager responsibilities and capability to act in the role in their absence.
Excellent clinical intervention skills.

Experience

Essential

Experience of team building and practice development.
Experience of working within mental health services at band 5
Experience of working within adult acute mental health

Personal

Essential

Commitment to working with adult mental health services.
Ability to work on a rota system that includes early shifts, late shifts, weekends, and night duty.
Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to demonstrate diplomacy, tact and negotiation skills.
Ability to manage highly stressful and emotive situations.
Acts as a role model in the delivery of high quality, effective patient care.
Ability to liaise with representatives from other organisations and to communicate a positive image of self and of the service/organisation.

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

Skylark OA Inpatient Ward

Preston

PR2 9HT

Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Skylark OA Inpatient Ward

Preston

PR2 9HT

Employer's website

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