Specialist Inpatient Social Worker - Learning Disabilities

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

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Preston is seeking a Specialist Inpatient Social Worker to deliver person-centred care for individuals with learning disabilities. This role involves extensive collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to ensure effective social work support and compliance with relevant legislation. Ideal candidates will possess a Social Work degree and experience in the field. This position offers an opportunity to make a significant impact within a newly established mental health unit.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Substantial post registration experience in social work.
• Extensive experience working with people with learning disabilities.
• Proven experience of collaborating across health/social care boundaries.

Responsibilities

• Actively contribute to multi-disciplinary assessments.
• Champion service user participation in care planning.
• Ensure compliance with legislation related to social care.

Skills

In-depth knowledge of social care issues

Expertise in specialist interventions

Strong working knowledge of current legislation

Good understanding of Positive Behavioural Support

Education

BA Social work, CQSW, CSS, DipSW or equivalent

Evidence of post registration training in Learning Disability

Professionally registered with Social Work England

Job description

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Inpatient Social Worker - Learning Disabilities

The closing date is 19 November 2025.

Water Meadow View is a brand new mental health inpatient unit for adults who have learning disabilities, which is due to open in late Autumn 2025 on our site in Whittingham, Preston. As we prepare to open this unit, we have an exciting opportunity for Staff Nurses to join us and support the Multi-Disciplinary Team to deliver outstanding person centred care.

One of the Trust's aims is to deliver the best possible care to our patients, and this new inpatient unit will do just that. Water Meadow View will offer clinical excellence, support, and safety, with patient‑centred care at its heart.

The post holder will provide highly specialised social work support to individuals with mental illness, considering their families and carers, in line with National Joint Council Conditions of Service, across Lancashire and South Cumbria's diverse communities.

The post holder will ensure the safe and effective delivery of social care, promoting evidence‑based practice through specialist knowledge and skills.

The post holder will lead the development of the inpatient social work role within Water Meadow View MDT and expand it across the wider trust.

Interviews will take place on 3rd December.

Main duties of the job

When you join us, you'll be making a positive impact on the lives of people with a learning disability by delivering person centred, compassionate care, in a purpose built, co‑produced environment, with opportunities to for you to learn and develop throughout your career.

The post holder will deliver on key responsibilities within the inpatient service:

• Actively contribute to multi-disciplinary assessments and treatment planning for individuals with learning disabilities and complex mental and behavioural needs, offering specialist advice and support as needed.
• Champion service user participation in care planning and service development, overseeing participation/peer support workers.
• Promote and manage participation initiatives across Water Meadow View and partner agencies, including independent advocacy and adherence to Hear by Right standards.
• Collaborate with the gatekeeping team and external agencies to facilitate well‑planned admissions and discharges.
• Ensure compliance with legislation related to social care, safeguarding, mental capacity, mental health, human rights, and restrictions to liberty.
• Support the coordination of CTR/CETR meetings with colleagues to support care planning and safe discharge.
• Work closely with individuals, carers, advocates, commissioners, and partners to facilitate smooth hospital discharge.
• Manage inpatient care using evidence‑based principles to develop and evaluate specialised care programs.
• Prepare and present formal reports as required.

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

• BA Social work, CQSW, CSS, DipSW or equivalent.
• Evidence of post registration training in Learning Disability.
• Professionally registered with Social Work England.

Knowledge

• In-depth knowledge of social care issues and their impact on care delivery.
• Expertise in specialist interventions, legal frameworks, and assessment methods relevant to learning disabilities.
• Strong working knowledge of current legislation and national initiatives.
• Highly developed knowledge of learning disability and associated vulnerability.
• Good understanding of Positive Behavioural Support (PBS)

Experience

• Substantial post registration experience in social work.
• Extensive experience working with people with learning disabilities.
• Proven experience of collaborating across health/social care boundaries.
• Experience of supporting individuals with mental health needs.
• Strong background in multi‑agency co‑ordination for service users with 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