Deputy Director for Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and CYP

NHS; Preston; On-site; GBP 94,000 - 109,000; Full time

Job summary

Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCFT) invites applications for Deputy Director for Mental Health, Learning Disabilities, Children and Young People and Maternity Commissioning. Based in Preston, this senior role provides strategic oversight across a large commissioning portfolio to improve outcomes and value for money for the population.

The postholder will report to the Strategic Commissioning Director, shaping strategy, driving transformation and working with NHS providers,

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent in strategic leadership, management or relevant discipline.
• Extensive senior commissioning leadership experience within Mental Health and related areas.
• Strong knowledge of governance, regulatory frameworks and transformation.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across Mental Health, Learning Disabilities, Children and Young People and Maternity commissioning.
• Lead commissioning strategies, service redesign and transformation programmes to improve outcomes and reduce health inequalities.
• Deputise for the Strategic Commissioning Director at local, regional and national forums.
• Develop strong partnerships with NHS providers, local authorities, primary care, social care and VCFSE organisations.
• Oversee performance, quality, governance, risk and assurance arrangements across the portfolio.
• Provide expert commissioning advice to senior leaders, Boards and governance committees.
• Lead major service reviews and commissioning projects across Lancashire and South Cumbria.
• Use population health and performance data to inform strategic decision-making and service improvement.
• Influence ICB-wide planning and contribute to corporate and system-wide priorities.
• Lead stakeholder engagement and co-production activities with partners, patients and communities.
• Manage delegated budgets and resources, ensuring value for money and effective financial stewardship.
• Provide leadership, development and support to senior managers and multidisciplinary teams.

Skills

Senior leadership

Strategic commissioning

Data interpretation

Education

Master’s degree or equivalent in strategic leadership/management

Professional qualification (where required)

Job description

Deputy Director for Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and CYP

Band 8d

Main area Commissioning Grade Band 8d Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 351-CS2962-LG

Site County Hall Preston Town Preston Salary £94,356 - £108,814 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 12/11/2026 23:59

Our Vision is to provide the best mental health, learning disability, autism, community, and physical health services for the populations we serve.

As an integrated Trust, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCFT) delivers a comprehensive range of services, including:

• Primary and secondary mental health care for children and adults, including specialist inpatient child and adolescent mental health provision, perinatal mental health, and forensic services with low and medium secure care.
• Specialist mental health inpatient care for individuals with learning disabilities, alongside specialist community support for children and adults with learning disabilities and autism, including intensive support.
• Extensive community physical health and well-being services for children and adults, covering prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term condition management.

The Trust was first established in 2002 and employs approximately 7,500 staff who provide care from more than 400 sites. The organisation offers opportunities for medics, mental health, general nurses, children’s nurses, allied health professionals, psychology, administration and clerical staff, apprentices and volunteers, as well as those specialising in learning disabilities and community physical health services.

Deputy Director for Mental Health, Learning Disabilities, Children and Young People and Maternity Commissioning

Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) is seeking an experienced and influential leader to join the organisation as Deputy Director for Mental Health, Learning Disabilities, Children and Young People and Maternity Commissioning.

This senior leadership role provides strategic oversight across a large and complex commissioning portfolio, supporting the delivery of high-quality, sustainable services that improve outcomes, reduce health inequalities and deliver value for money for the population of Lancashire and South Cumbria.

Reporting to the Strategic Commissioning Director, the postholder will provide leadership across major commissioning programmes and system-wide priorities, deputising for the Strategic Commissioning Director when required. The role will involve working closely with Board members, senior leaders, providers, local authorities, voluntary sector partners and NHS England to shape strategy, drive transformation and ensure effective delivery of organisational objectives.

The successful candidate will bring extensive experience of commissioning, service transformation and system leadership, alongside the ability to influence at a senior level within complex and politically sensitive environments.

Main duties of the job

• Provide strategic leadership across the Mental Health, Learning Disabilities, Children and Young People and Maternity commissioning portfolio.
• Lead commissioning strategies, service redesign and transformation programmes to improve outcomes and reduce health inequalities.
• Deputise for the Strategic Commissioning Director at local, regional and national forums.
• Develop strong partnerships with NHS providers, local authorities, primary care, social care and VCFSE organisations.
• Oversee performance, quality, governance, risk and assurance arrangements across the portfolio.
• Provide expert commissioning advice to senior leaders, Boards and governance committees.
• Lead major service reviews and commissioning projects across Lancashire and South Cumbria.
• Use population health and performance data to inform strategic decision-making and service improvement.
• Influence ICB-wide planning and contribute to corporate and system-wide priorities.
• Lead stakeholder engagement and co-production activities with partners, patients and communities.
• Manage delegated budgets and resources, ensuring value for money and effective financial stewardship.
• Provide leadership, development and support to senior managers and multidisciplinary teams.

Working for our organisation

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.

The wellbeing of our people is at the heart of everything we do. We offer a wide range of resources, tools and support to help you thrive both in and out of work.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

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

Person specification

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent level of expertise in strategic leadership, management or relevant discipline
• Demonstrable senior leadership and management development
• Relevant professional qualification where required by the specialty

Experience

• Extensive senior commissioning leadership experience within Mental Health, Learning Disabilities, Children and Young People and Maternity and complex organisational or system environment
• Proven track record of influencing and delivering at system level (e.g., ICSS/ICB/ICP or cross‑sector)
• Extensive experience deputising for Director‑level leaders
• Significant commissioning experience overseeing governance, assurance and risk management processes

Knowledge

• In‑depth knowledge of strategic commissioning leadership, system working, organisational change and transformation
• Strong understanding of commissioning governance, regulatory frameworks, assurance mechanisms and statutory duties
• Ability to analyse and interpret complex datasets, performance information and risk intelligence

For all posts which require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check please be aware of the Disclosure and Barring Service Code of Practice, a copy of which is available by logging on to the DBS website. If the post is subject to DBS disclosure, a charge will be made to the successful candidate(s).

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.