Lived Experience Quality Assurance Lead

NHS; Preston; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading health care organization in Preston is seeking a Lived Experience Quality Assurance Lead. This role focuses on integrating insights from individuals with learning disabilities into quality assurance processes. Candidates should have direct lived experience and be passionate about improving outcomes for service users. The position offers a part-time contract with a salary range of £47,810 to £54,710 per annum.

Qualifications

• Direct lived experience of learning disability as a service user, family member, or direct support staff.
• Experience supporting individuals in accessing health services or using mental health services.
• Experience working collaboratively with staff and others with lived experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead quality assurance processes by integrating feedback from individuals with lived experience.
• Act as a voice for individuals with learning disabilities.
• Promote a culture that values lived experience.
• Conduct quality assurance activities including audits and service evaluations.

Skills

Empathy

Interpersonal skills

Advocacy for user-led improvements

Group discussion facilitation

Education

Degree or equivalent qualification

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Teams

Job description

Job Summary

This advert may close earlier than date published due to the high volume of applications.

Water Meadow View is a new mental health inpatient unit for adults with learning disabilities, set to open in Winter 2025 in Whittingham, Preston. The new unit will deliver clinical excellence, support and safety, with patient–centred care at its core. We are looking for a Lived Experience Quality Assurance Lead to join the Multi‑Disciplinary Team and ensure the voices of people who use our service are embedded in everything we do.

Essentially, the role requires lived experience of learning disability (as a service user, family member or direct support staff) and up‑to‑date knowledge of health policy and legislation for learning‑disability and mental‑health inpatient services.

About the Role

The Lead will integrate the insights and perspectives of individuals with lived experience into quality assurance processes. The main focus is to use co‑production, inclusion and continual improvement to develop and enhance the unit. The role requires a deep commitment to co‑production, inclusion, and continual improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead quality assurance processes by integrating feedback and insights from individuals with lived experience.
• Act as a voice for individuals with learning disabilities, ensuring their perspectives shape service development and improvement.
• Promote a culture that values lived experience as a critical component of service improvement.
• Conduct quality assurance activities, including audits, service evaluations, observations and feedback collection.
• Work collaboratively with service users, families and staff to co‑produce improvements.
• Advocate for the rights, dignity and high‑quality care of service users within Water Meadow View.
• Support training and awareness initiatives to enhance staff understanding of lived experience.
• Serve as an expert role model and lead within Water Meadow View by ensuring systems are in place to share knowledge, expertise and best practice.
• Support governance and duty of care to safeguarding others by acting in line with Trust policy and procedures.
• Provide leadership to peer facilitators working on the unit.

Person Specification

Education / Qualification – Essential

• Degree or equivalent level of qualification.

Desirable Qualifications

• Training qualification
• Leadership qualification
• Continuous Improvement / Quality Improvement / Project Management qualification

Knowledge – Essential

• Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and ensuring the voices of people with lived experience are heard.
• Knowledge of co‑production approaches and principles.
• Strong understanding of quality assurance principles and practices.
• Knowledge of the needs of people with learning disabilities and mental health problems, including those detained under the Mental Health Act.

Desirable Knowledge

• Knowledge of policies, legislation and best practice related to learning‑disability inpatient care.

Experience – Essential

• Direct lived experience of learning disability (as a service user, family member or direct support staff).
• Experience supporting individuals in accessing health services or using mental health services.
• Experience working collaboratively with staff and others with lived experience across a range of agencies.
• Ability to facilitate group discussions, develop and lead workshops, co‑production sessions and focus groups.

Desirable Experience

• Experience using co‑production methodologies to improve services.

Personal Attributes – Essential

• Passionate about improving outcomes for people with learning disabilities.
• Empathetic, open‑minded and a strong advocate for user‑led service improvements.
• Resilient and adaptable, able to work independently and collaboratively.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.
• Willingness to share judgement, personal experiences and insights in a balanced and reflective way.
• Good level of computer literacy – frequent use of Microsoft Word, Outlook and Teams.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Contact Details

Trust: Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Location: L7F9 L2092 Water Meadow View, Guild Lodge, Whittingham, Preston, PR3 2JH

Website: https://www.lscft.nhs.uk/

Key Details

Date posted: 20 November 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for Change

Band: 7

Salary: £47,810 to £54,710 per annum (pro‑rata, subject to confirmation)

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Part‑time

Reference number: 351‑SPS1467‑TG‑A