Job summary
This role represents a pivotal leadership position within Adult Social Care at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (TSDFT). As Training Lead, the postholder will be responsible for shaping, delivering and embedding the education, workforce development and cultural transformation required to support the organisation's Adult Social Care Improvement Plan. Operating at the centre of a complex, integrated health and social care system, this role bridges professional development, quality assurance, and organisational change, ensuring that Adult Social Care practice evolves in line with national expectations, local priorities, and the needs of the community.
The Training Lead will act as a senior influencer, partnering closely with senior leaders, the Principal Social Worker (PSW), service managers and operational teams across Adult Social Care. Their core purpose is to ensure the workforce is highly skilled, confident, values-driven and capable of delivering high-quality, strengths-based practice as required by the Care Act 2014. This includes ensuring that the workforce understands and can apply the principles of wellbeing, prevention, personalisation, and proportionality, which underpin strengths-based and legally robust practice.
Main duties of the job
The Training Lead role within Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (TSDFT) represents a pivotal leadership position at the centre of Adult Social Care transformation. Operating in a nationally recognised integrated care system, the postholder will provide strategic direction, leadership and governance for workforce development across Adult Social Care. This includes shaping the workforce of today and tomorrow to ensure safe, legally sound, strengths-based practice that reflects the requirements of the Care Act 2014, national policy developments, and the professional standards set by Social Work England.
At the heart of the role is the responsibility to design, coordinate and deliver a comprehensive education and development offer for the Adult Social Care workforce. This requires a robust understanding of professional practice, adult social care legislation, and organisational development, combined with the ability to translate policy and strategy into effective, practical learning solutions that make a measurable difference to workforce capability and service quality.
About us
Working for Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (TSDFT) as the Education Lead for the Adult Social Care Directorate offers a rare and highly impactful professional opportunity. It combines the advantages of strategic leadership, system-wide influence, integrated working, and the chance to directly shape the future of adult social care practice. For an individual who is committed to professional excellence, passionate about developing others, and motivated by meaningful change, TSDFT provides an environment where your work genuinely transforms lives, strengthens communities, and builds a sustainable, skilled, and confident workforce.
The Education Lead role in Adult Social Care at TSDFT offers an extraordinary blend of strategic leadership, professional credibility, system-wide influence, and personal purpose. It allows you to work within a nationally recognised integrated care system, lead transformation, strengthen a valued profession, and make a meaningful difference to the wellbeing of adults, carers and communities.
For someone passionate about developing others, committed to professional excellence and motivated by improving adult social care, TSDFT provides a supportive, innovative and inspiring environment in which to lead, grow and make a profound contribution.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Training Lead for Adult Social Care Transformation plays a central strategic role in designing, delivering and governing the education, training and workforce development agenda for Adult Social Care within Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (TSDFT). The postholder supports delivery of the Adult Social Care Improvement Plan and helps shape a futureready, skilled and confident workforce aligned to the Care Act and TSDFTs integrated care ambitions.
The Training Lead hasstrategic oversight of the entire Social Work education pipeline, including:
Student Placements - Act as Agency Placement Coordinator for all social work placements.
- Lead annual planning, allocation and quality assurance of placements.
- Maintain strong partnerships with Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
Practice Educators - Ensure sufficient numbers of trained, highquality Practice Educators.
- Provide CPD, support and training for Practice Educators.
- Assure quality and consistency of learning environments.
ASYE Programme -
- Oversee ASYE delivery, moderation, assessor support and compliance with national standards.
- Embed a supportive, highquality environment for newly qualified social workers.
- Lead the development of training programmes using blended methods: classroom, online, coaching, simulation, action learning and scenario-based training.
- Ensure all educational programmes are evidencebased, outcomesdriven and aligned to organisational priorities.
- Maintain robust quality assurance processes for placements, training, learning environments and CPD frameworks.
- Ensure equitable access to training resources across the integrated care system.
- Provide assurance to governance forums on training performance, mandatory training compliance and ASC workforce readiness.
- Ensure systems are in place to produce reports for the Deputy Director, Trust Board and governance committees.
- Monitor compliance with statutory, mandatory and regulatory training requirements.
- Support development of policies, guidance, competency frameworks and quality assurance systems.
- Work collaboratively across TSDFT, including operations, workforce, organisational development, and corporate teams.
- Engage with regional ASYE networks, HEIs (University of Exeter, Plymouth), Social Work England, and local/independent sector partners.
- Build strong relationships with neighbouring local authorities, the voluntary and independent sector, and regional education leads.
- Communicate confidently with senior stakeholders, providing expert advice on training, regulation and workforce development.
- Promote a culture of research and evidence-based learning across Adult Social Care.
- Support evaluation of training programmes and encourage reflective practice.
- Collaborate on educational research and identify potential funding opportunities.
- Share good practice and contribute to system-wide learning.
- Ensure Adult Social Care training programmes operate within agreed budgets.
- Contribute to annual business planning and resource allocation.
- Support identification of external funding for training or workforce programmes.
- Manage training infrastructure requirements (venues, digital platforms, equipment).
- Lead on project governance and ensure training initiatives meet deadlines and quality measures.
- Lead redesign and development of new training programmes aligned to strategic workforce needs.
- Provide professional leadership, coaching and support across Social Work and Adult Social Care teams.
- Champion learning culture and high-quality learning environments.
- Support induction development for Adult Social Care staff.
- Promote inter-professional learning and integration across health and social care.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Training Lead for Adult Social Care Transformation plays a central strategic role in designing, delivering and governing the education, training and workforce development agenda for Adult Social Care within Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (TSDFT). The postholder supports delivery of the Adult Social Care Improvement Plan and helps shape a futureready, skilled and confident workforce aligned to the Care Act and TSDFTs integrated care ambitions.
The Training Lead hasstrategic oversight of the entire Social Work education pipeline, including:
Student Placements - Act as Agency Placement Coordinator for all social work placements.
- Lead annual planning, allocation and quality assurance of placements.
- Maintain strong partnerships with Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
Practice Educators - Ensure sufficient numbers of trained, highquality Practice Educators.
- Provide CPD, support and training for Practice Educators.
- Assure quality and consistency of learning environments.
ASYE Programme -
- Oversee ASYE delivery, moderation, assessor support and compliance with national standards.
- Embed a supportive, highquality environment for newly qualified social workers.
- Lead the development of training programmes using blended methods: classroom, online, coaching, simulation, action learning and scenario-based training.
- Ensure all educational programmes are evidencebased, outcomesdriven and aligned to organisational priorities.
- Maintain robust quality assurance processes for placements, training, learning environments and CPD frameworks.
- Ensure equitable access to training resources across the integrated care system.
- Provide assurance to governance forums on training performance, mandatory training compliance and ASC workforce readiness.
- Ensure systems are in place to produce reports for the Deputy Director, Trust Board and governance committees.
- Monitor compliance with statutory, mandatory and regulatory training requirements.
- Support development of policies, guidance, competency frameworks and quality assurance systems.
- Work collaboratively across TSDFT, including operations, workforce, organisational development, and corporate teams.
- Engage with regional ASYE networks, HEIs (University of Exeter, Plymouth), Social Work England, and local/independent sector partners.
- Build strong relationships with neighbouring local authorities, the voluntary and independent sector, and regional education leads.
- Communicate confidently with senior stakeholders, providing expert advice on training, regulation and workforce development.
- Promote a culture of research and evidence-based learning across Adult Social Care.
- Support evaluation of training programmes and encourage reflective practice.
- Collaborate on educational research and identify potential funding opportunities.
- Share good practice and contribute to system-wide learning.
- Ensure Adult Social Care training programmes operate within agreed budgets.
- Contribute to annual business planning and resource allocation.
- Support identification of external funding for training or workforce programmes.
- Manage training infrastructure requirements (venues, digital platforms, equipment).
- Lead on project governance and ensure training initiatives meet deadlines and quality measures.
- Lead redesign and development of new training programmes aligned to strategic workforce needs.
- Provide professional leadership, coaching and support across Social Work and Adult Social Care teams.
- Champion learning culture and high-quality learning environments.
- Support induction development for Adult Social Care staff.
- Promote inter-professional learning and integration across health and social care.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Degree level qualification in Social Care, education or other relevant area and/or equivalent level of experience
- Recognised relevant professional qualification Evidence of continuing professional development within the health or education environment
- Training in interviewing and equal opportunities
Desirable
- Master level study / qualification or equivalent in relevant field
Knowledge and experience
Essential
- Knowledge of the NHS and Adult Social Care educational agenda including national policy developments to enable interpretation
- Experience of supporting Social Work students, NQSWs or Practice Education activity within a Social Care or education setting
- Knowledge of Social Work England professional standards and requirements relating to student placements and early career frameworks
- Developing and delivering strategies and business plans
- Communication strategies and marketing IT developments in the education/health/Social Care sector Business & financial models/systems relevant to Adult Social Care
- Performance & conflict management
- Information management
- Adult Social Care/Health/educational frameworks and relevant quality assurance systems
- Significant experience in a health/Social Care based senior management role including managing and leading teams
- Proven track record of managing quality assurance systems
- Experience of financial and contract management
- Proven track record in planning and coordinating business processes
Desirable
- Development and delivery of Adult Social Care educational programmes
- In depth understanding of project management and evaluation
- Strategic planning & service improvement methodologies
- Managing and leading complex change in a health and/or education setting
- Practice Educator qualification (Stage 1 or 2)
- Experience coordinating or managing ASYE programmes
Specific skills
Essential
- IT skills
- Problem solving skills
- Expert analysis of highly complex training needs to support and enable performance/service Redesign
- Critical thinking and analytical skill
- Excellent leadership & management skills
- Evidence of effective communication & negotiation skills including a proven ability to develop successful stakeholder engagement
- Ability to work independently, but also to deliver as part of a team; able to contribute to the wider mission of the organisation, with the ability to work flexibly.
- Confident and competent speaker
- Ability to travel
- Periodic out of office hours working
Desirable
- Counselling and careers advice skills and training
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Degree level qualification in Social Care, education or other relevant area and/or equivalent level of experience
- Recognised relevant professional qualification Evidence of continuing professional development within the health or education environment
- Training in interviewing and equal opportunities
Desirable
- Master level study / qualification or equivalent in relevant field
Knowledge and experience
Essential
- Knowledge of the NHS and Adult Social Care educational agenda including national policy developments to enable interpretation
- Experience of supporting Social Work students, NQSWs or Practice Education activity within a Social Care or education setting
- Knowledge of Social Work England professional standards and requirements relating to student placements and early career frameworks
- Developing and delivering strategies and business plans
- Communication strategies and marketing IT developments in the education/health/Social Care sector Business & financial models/systems relevant to Adult Social Care
- Performance & conflict management
- Information management
- Adult Social Care/Health/educational frameworks and relevant quality assurance systems
- Significant experience in a health/Social Care based senior management role including managing and leading teams
- Proven track record of managing quality assurance systems
- Experience of financial and contract management
- Proven track record in planning and coordinating business processes
Desirable
- Development and delivery of Adult Social Care educational programmes
- In depth understanding of project management and evaluation
- Strategic planning & service improvement methodologies
- Managing and leading complex change in a health and/or education setting
- Practice Educator qualification (Stage 1 or 2)
- Experience coordinating or managing ASYE programmes
Specific skills
Essential
- IT skills
- Problem solving skills
- Expert analysis of highly complex training needs to support and enable performance/service Redesign
- Critical thinking and analytical skill
- Excellent leadership & management skills
- Evidence of effective communication & negotiation skills including a proven ability to develop successful stakeholder engagement
- Ability to work independently, but also to deliver as part of a team; able to contribute to the wider mission of the organisation, with the ability to work flexibly.
- Confident and competent speaker
- Ability to travel
- Periodic out of office hours working
Desirable
- Counselling and careers advice skills and training
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.
