Director of Learning Disability & Community Services

Caritas Care Preston; Preston; On-site; GBP 59,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Bank holidays

Additional leave purchase

Salary progression

Flexible working

Social Work England registration

Employee assistance programme

Pension scheme

Birthday leave

On-site parking

Job summary

Caritas Care Preston is seeking a Director of Learning Disability & Community Services based in Preston, Lancashire. This permanent role (37.5 hours) leads quality social care services with a broad remit across learning disability and community support.

You will be part of the Senior Leadership Team, shaping strategy, driving service improvements, and ensuring excellent outcomes for vulnerable adults and communities.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in learning disability and community services.
• Strategic direction and management of a charity.
• Commitment to quality in social care services.

Responsibilities

• Provide inspirational and confident leadership to Learning Disability & Community Services.
• Oversee strategic direction of the Charity as a whole from Preston Head Office.
• Lead a senior management team and drive service improvements.

Job description

Director of Learning Disability & Community Services

Location: Preston, Lancashire

Permanent | 37.5 hours per week

Salary: SP 53 – 60 | £59,363 – £69,370

With over 90 years’ experience of making a difference across the North West, this is a rare opportunity to lead quality services and implement change in one of the longest established charities in the North West.

Are you a successful leader looking for a new, unique challenge and can you help us to be even better? Then read on ....

Caritas Care is a social care Charity in the North West of England, providing a diverse range of services with children, adults with learning disabilities and complex health needs, homeless adults and adults isolated within the community. Despite the financial climate over the last few years, Caritas Care has continued to grow and our commitment to growth and working with more people in need of our support remains at the centre of our strategic plan.

We are seeking a committed and skilled professional with the interest and vision to provide inspirational and confident leadership to our Learning Disability and Community Services. Based in our Head Office in Preston, you will be a member of the Senior Leadership Team, responsible for the strategic direction and management of the Charity as a whole.

This is an opportunity to join our established and well-respected Charity in a senior management role. Therefore, if you have a passion for ensuring quality in social care services, sound business acumen and want to make a difference to the lives of people who are vulnerable, adults who have disabilities and people who are marginalised, then this might just be the role for you!

Why Join Us?

This is more than a senior leadership role – it is an opportunity to make a real and lasting difference. You will be joining a Charity with deep community roots, a skilled team and a future full of possibility.

• Lead quality services in a well-respected and impactful charity
• Work with a passionate team dedicated to making a difference
• Shape the future of services that change lives
• 24-29 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• Purchase of Additional Leave Scheme
• Incremental salary scale progression
• Flexi-time and flexible working
• Opportunity to maintain a Social Work England registration
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Work based pension
• Birthday leave
• Blue Light Card
• Essential car user post with travel paid at 55p per mile
• On-site free car parking

As an equal opportunities employer, Caritas Care offers an excellent package of terms and conditions, family friendly flexible working arrangements, an employee assistance programme and opportunities for continuing professional development. If you are interested, and would like to know more about this exciting opportunity, please contact Phil East, Chief Executive on 01772 732313 for an informal discussion.

Closing date for applications: Friday 30 October 2026 (noon)

Provisional first stage interview: Tuesday 10 November 2026

Provisional final interview: Wednesday 18 November 2026