East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

IDS Home First Occupational Therapist/Physiotherapist

The closing date is 10 February 2026

Job summary

This post is an essential for the delivery of a fully integrated discharge service across Pennine Lancashire. The Integrated Discharge service therapist undertakes highly skilled and specialised work to support in the assessing and treating of patients, to facilitate complex discharges and improve clinical flow throughout the trust to improve access to acute services.

Main duties of the job

To provide pro-active and responsive support to the Divisional Therapy Lead, working across all ELHT sites to meet the needs of the Complex Case Management Service. Have in-depth knowledge and skills to act as a resource for ward staff at all levels and other multi-disciplinary professionals ensuring there is a consistent and informed approach in relation to effective and timely discharge from hospital. Carry out home assessments with patients who have complex needs and afterwards produce comprehensive documentation from these visits.

About us

Established in 2003 East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT) is a large integrated health care organisation providing high quality acute secondary healthcare for the people of East Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen. We are committed to delivering the best possible healthcare services to the local population while ensuring the future viability of our services. This will be achieved by continually improving the productivity and efficiency of services. Our core focus has enabled demonstrable improvement in our key access, quality and performance indicators.

Our vision is to be widely recognised for providing safe, personal and effective care. We currently provide high quality services and treat over 700,000 patients a year from the most serious of emergencies to planned operations and procedures. We employ over 8,000 staff, many of whom are internationally renowned and have won awards for their work and achievements.

Details

Date posted

03 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

435-CIC-003-26

Job locations

RBH/BGH

Fusion House

Blackburn

BB1 2FD


Job description

Job responsibilities

  • To provide pro-active and responsive support to the Divisional Therapy Lead.
  • Work across all ELHT sites to meet the needs of an efficient Complex Case Management Service.
  • Advise assist and navigate ELHT staff through the discharge planning process to plan and meet future care needs to facilitate a safe and timely discharge from hospital.
  • To have the in-depth knowledge and skills to act as a resource for ward staff at all levels and other multi-disciplinary professionals ensuring there is a consistent and informed approach in relation to effective and timely discharge planning.
  • To promote and maintain effective communication channels between all Health and Social Care departments/agencies in the acute and community settings.
  • Proactively advise and support staff to initiate the early discharge planning of patients with vulnerable/complex needs ensuring appropriate assessments are completed in a timely manner to facilitate discharge.
  • Maintain accurate records and participate in internal or Department of Health audits as required in relation to the discharge planning process.
  • Ensure compliance with other related Trust Policies and Department of Health Legislation regarding the discharge planning processes.
  • Screen referrals made to the Central Point of Referral in, signposting to alternative pathways as appropriate to meet identified needs.
  • Carrying out home assessments with patient who have complex social issues eg chaotic lifestyles/rehousing/refurnishing etc which can take up an extraordinary amount of time if a ward therapist or social worker were to deal with this.
  • Give both verbal and written feedback about the progress of patients assessment and treatment, this will include the typing of comprehensive documentation from visits and clinical input.
  • Taking patients home to settle or visiting post discharge to prevent re-admission
  • Untilise mental health knowledge and carry out in depth cognitive assessments
  • To be able to carry out second opinion assessments when there is a dispute between health professionals and the patient or their families, for example a decision around home rather than bed base.
  • To use social services IT systems in conjunction with the trusted assessment documentation and set up new packages of care for patients.

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • To provide pro-active and responsive support to the Divisional Therapy Lead.
  • Work across all ELHT sites to meet the needs of an efficient Complex Case Management Service.
  • Advise assist and navigate ELHT staff through the discharge planning process to plan and meet future care needs to facilitate a safe and timely discharge from hospital.
  • To have the in-depth knowledge and skills to act as a resource for ward staff at all levels and other multi-disciplinary professionals ensuring there is a consistent and informed approach in relation to effective and timely discharge planning.
  • To promote and maintain effective communication channels between all Health and Social Care departments/agencies in the acute and community settings.
  • Proactively advise and support staff to initiate the early discharge planning of patients with vulnerable/complex needs ensuring appropriate assessments are completed in a timely manner to facilitate discharge.
  • Maintain accurate records and participate in internal or Department of Health audits as required in relation to the discharge planning process.
  • Ensure compliance with other related Trust Policies and Department of Health Legislation regarding the discharge planning processes.
  • Screen referrals made to the Central Point of Referral in, signposting to alternative pathways as appropriate to meet identified needs.
  • Carrying out home assessments with patient who have complex social issues eg chaotic lifestyles/rehousing/refurnishing etc which can take up an extraordinary amount of time if a ward therapist or social worker were to deal with this.
  • Give both verbal and written feedback about the progress of patients assessment and treatment, this will include the typing of comprehensive documentation from visits and clinical input.
  • Taking patients home to settle or visiting post discharge to prevent re-admission
  • Untilise mental health knowledge and carry out in depth cognitive assessments
  • To be able to carry out second opinion assessments when there is a dispute between health professionals and the patient or their families, for example a decision around home rather than bed base.
  • To use social services IT systems in conjunction with the trusted assessment documentation and set up new packages of care for patients.

Person Specification

Essential

Essential

  • Registered Allied Health Professional on HPC Register
  • Post registration study/relevant experience of working across professional development
  • A minimum of 2 years post registration experience
  • High standards of accuracy and literacy skills
  • Experience dealing with patients and families in a sensitive and understanding Manner
  • Knowledge of the principles of Delayed Discharge Act
  • In-depth knowledge of discharge planning and processes
  • Confident Decision Maker
  • Ability to prioritise an unpredictable workload and work to times scales

Desirable

  • Enthusiasm to take on board new ideas and initiate change
  • Experience working in the NHS or similar organisation
Person Specification

Essential

Essential

  • Registered Allied Health Professional on HPC Register
  • Post registration study/relevant experience of working across professional development
  • A minimum of 2 years post registration experience
  • High standards of accuracy and literacy skills
  • Experience dealing with patients and families in a sensitive and understanding Manner
  • Knowledge of the principles of Delayed Discharge Act
  • In-depth knowledge of discharge planning and processes
  • Confident Decision Maker
  • Ability to prioritise an unpredictable workload and work to times scales

Desirable

  • Enthusiasm to take on board new ideas and initiate change
  • Experience working in the NHS or similar 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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

RBH/BGH

Fusion House

Blackburn

BB1 2FD


Employer's website

http://jobs.elht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

RBH/BGH

Fusion House

Blackburn

BB1 2FD


Employer's website

http://jobs.elht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Therapy Leads

Kerry Herron or Joanne Cowell

kerry.herron@elht.nhs.uk

01254732099

Details

Date posted

03 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

435-CIC-003-26

Job locations

RBH/BGH

Fusion House

Blackburn

BB1 2FD


Supporting documents

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