Social Work Discharge Planning Lead

NHS; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Lancashire is seeking a Social Work Discharge Planning Lead to enhance inpatient discharge processes. The ideal candidate will have a background in mental health social work and a strong ability to collaborate within a multidisciplinary team. This role focuses on providing comprehensive assessment and inclusive support to patients during their discharge from hospital. Competitive working patterns are encouraged, making a significant difference in the lives of patients.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Career break options

Supportive working environment

Qualifications

• Registered Social Worker with a degree level qualification.
• Highly developed knowledge of legal frameworks and assessment methods.
• Experience working with individuals with mental health needs.

Responsibilities

• Encourage early planning and comprehensive assessment for discharge.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to support patient discharge.
• Coordinate services for individuals with complex needs.

Skills

In-depth knowledge of social care issues

Ability to drive an inclusive strengths based approach

Working knowledge of current legislation

Education

Registered Social Worker

Degree level qualification or equivalent

Job description

Social Work Discharge Planning Lead

The closing date is 02 December 2025

Following a review of inpatient discharge processes in 2022 it became evident that additional support to encourage the early planning, comprehensive assessment and support towards discharge of those admitted to a Trust hospital was necessary. It was also evident that a strong emphasis on the individual's social and home circumstances was required from a professional social work perspective.

We are looking for a dynamic social work practitioner who can bring an expertise in social work to a multidisciplinary inpatient setting. A strong background in mental health social work, related legislation and community support should combine with the ability to drive an inclusive strengths based approach to effective discharge planning.

Main duties of the job

If you are interested and motivated in providing the very best experiences of inpatient services, making this as short as necessary, but with the most appropriate post discharge support, then this may be your opportunity to make a profound difference to the lives of others.

The location of the position is The Harbour, Blackpool.

Please contact Sue Ball ([e-mail]) or Michael Holt ([e-mail]) if you would like to discuss the position further.

About us

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of services including secondary mental health care across this area. Specialist provision comprises inpatient child and adolescent mental health services, perinatal mental health and forensic services including low and medium secure care.

The Trust also provides a range of physical health and well-being services in the community alongside a range of partners in the Lancashire, Cumbria and Sefton area.

Lancashire & South Cumbria Foundation Trust encourages 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, flexi-time and career breaks. We encourage applicants to state clearly on their application forms this request and discuss these options at interview.

For more information please visit our website via Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS FT.

Job responsibilities

For more details on this vacancy please review the attached job description and person specification.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Registered Social Worker
• Degree level qualification and or equivalent level of skills, knowledge and experience.

Knowledge

• In-depth knowledge of social care issues and how this relates to care delivery.
• Highly developed specialist knowledge across a range of interventions, legal frameworks and assessment methods which are relevant to learning disability.
• Working knowledge of current legislation and national initiatives

Experience

• Experience of working with people with mental health needs
• Experience of working across health/social care/education boundaries.
• Experience of multi-agency co-ordination where service users have complex needs.

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.

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust