Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Associate Director of Social Work

The closing date is 05 February 2026

Job summary

Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCFT) is the major health and wellbeing provider for a population of 1.7 million people across Lancashire and South Cumbria. We are proud to provide a wide range of mental health and learning disability services as well as physical health services in the community, including community nursing, health visiting and a range of therapy services. We employ over 7,000 members of staff operating in more than 400 sites with an annual budget of over £350 million. Our core values represent what we as an organisation, and the individuals who make up that organisation, are about. It is our aim that everything we do fits in with, and reinforces, these values: we are always learning, we are respectful, we are kind, and we are a team.

This is an exciting opportunity to work in an innovative Trust and be at the forefront of mental health and community innovation.

Two posts available, post holders will be accountable to the Network Director of Nursing and Director of Social Work.

Main duties of the job

This role will provide:

  • Expert Social Work advice and consultation to service leads, management, and partners across their respective Networks.
  • Lead on the development of person-centred and evidence-based approaches to practice, and setting, maintaining, and developing professional standards for Social Work within the two Networks.
  • Drive forward the Social Work agenda, contributing to the development of educational and research programmes to support practice across the Networks and the Trust.
  • Work strategically in partnership with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate the implementation of best practice and ensuring a joined-up, seamless approach to service user care across both Network boundaries.
  • Support Network Directors of Nursing in areas they feel require social work support/input.

Form part of the on-call rota as set out in the on-call procedure. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and welcome applications from underrepresented groups. In recruiting to our Trust, we are committed to equality of opportunity for all. We believe that the best organisations are those that reflect the communities they serve. We especially welcome applications from candidates from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic heritage, LGBTQ+ communities, and from people with lived experience of disability.

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.

Details

Date posted

23 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8c

Salary

£76,965 to £88,682 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

351-PEN1050-LG-A

Job locations

Trust Headquarters, Sceptre Point

Preston

PR5 6AW


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see attached the Job Description and Person Specification for more information about this role.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see attached the Job Description and Person Specification for more information about this role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Social Worker - current and relevant registration on Social Work England register.
  • MA Social Work
  • Evidence of CPD in line with professional regulatory guidance
  • At least one of AMHP/BIA/PEP 2 qualification

Knowledge

Essential

  • Extensive knowledge of the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act and Human Rights
  • Extensive knowledge of social determinant of mental health problems and approaches to addressing these
  • Expert clinical knowledge at advanced practice level in care delivery for service users with complex psychiatric, behavioral, physical and social co-morbidity
  • Knowledge of contemporary practice and best practice

Experience

Essential

  • Minimum of 5 years post professional qualifying clinical experience in their current profession at a senior position within a dedicated mental health service
  • Demonstrated ability to present evidence to courts, tribunals and managers' hearings
  • Experience of clinical leadership and change management
  • Experience of working across organisational boundaries in the development and provision of services
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Social Worker - current and relevant registration on Social Work England register.
  • MA Social Work
  • Evidence of CPD in line with professional regulatory guidance
  • At least one of AMHP/BIA/PEP 2 qualification

Knowledge

Essential

  • Extensive knowledge of the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act and Human Rights
  • Extensive knowledge of social determinant of mental health problems and approaches to addressing these
  • Expert clinical knowledge at advanced practice level in care delivery for service users with complex psychiatric, behavioral, physical and social co-morbidity
  • Knowledge of contemporary practice and best practice

Experience

Essential

  • Minimum of 5 years post professional qualifying clinical experience in their current profession at a senior position within a dedicated mental health service
  • Demonstrated ability to present evidence to courts, tribunals and managers' hearings
  • Experience of clinical leadership and change management
  • Experience of working across organisational boundaries in the development and provision of services

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

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Trust Headquarters, Sceptre Point

Preston

PR5 6AW


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Trust Headquarters, Sceptre Point

Preston

PR5 6AW


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Director of Social Work

Ryan Cowley-Sharp

ryan.cowley-sharp@lscft.nhs.uk

07557789673

Details

Date posted

23 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8c

Salary

£76,965 to £88,682 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

351-PEN1050-LG-A

Job locations

Trust Headquarters, Sceptre Point

Preston

PR5 6AW


Supporting documents

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