Specialist Inpatient Social Worker - Learning Disabilities in Preston inPreston PUBLISHED WED 5 NOV 2025 Jump to job information section
PERMANENT FAMILY MENTAL HEALTH MULTI-DISCIPLINARY NHS SOCIAL WORK
Lancashire Care Foundation Trust rEEUN8e5L
Job description
Work in a brand‑new, purpose‑built inpatient unit (Water Meadow View) opening late Autumn 2025 — modern facilities and co‑produced environment.
Clear senior salary band (£47,810–£54,710) — competitive pay for a specialist social work post in the NHS.
Family‑friendly flexible working (term‑time, part‑time, compressed hours, flexi‑time, career breaks) — great if you balance caring or school runs.
Lead and shape the inpatient social work role across the trust — strong clinical leadership and career development opportunity.
Direct, meaningful work with adults with learning disabilities, families and multi‑agency discharge planning — high professional impact.
Site in Whittingham/Preston (PR3) — commutable from Lancashire towns; suitable if you drive and need reliable access to work.
Specialist Inpatient Social Worker – Learning Disabilities, Lancashire Care Foundation Trust (Preston). Based at Water Meadow View, a purpose-built inpatient unit opening late Autumn 2025, this full-time permanent role offers a chance to deliver highly specialist social work for adults with learning disabilities and complex mental health and behavioural needs. You will work within a multi-disciplinary team to lead and develop the inpatient social work role across the Trust, contribute to assessments and person-centred care planning, oversee participation and peer-support activity, coordinate admissions and safe discharges, prepare formal reports and ensure compliance with safeguarding, Mental Capacity and Mental Health legislation and restrictions to liberty. Salary range: £47,810–£54,710 per annum. Closing date: 05 December 2025.
This opportunity suits experienced social workers and skilled carers who want to make a tangible difference in a compassionate, co-produced environment. The Trust emphasises clinical excellence, learning and development, and flexible working patterns (including term-time, part-time, compressed hours, flexi-time and career breaks) to support work–life balance — a real advantage for women juggling caring responsibilities. If you bring specialist knowledge in learning disability and mental health, strong partnership working with families and advocates, and a commitment to evidence-based practice, this role offers career progression and meaningful impact. This vacancy is featured on jobsincare.com — please click the "Apply Now" button alongside this description to submit your application.
This opportunity suits experienced social workers and skilled carers who want to make a tangible difference in a compassionate, co-produced environment. The Trust emphasises clinical excellence, learning and development, and flexible working patterns (including term-time, part-time, compressed hours, flexi-time and career breaks) to support work–life balance — a real advantage for women juggling caring responsibilities. If you bring specialist knowledge in learning disability and mental health, strong partnership working with families and advocates, and a commitment to evidence-based practice, this role offers career progression and meaningful impact. This vacancy is featured on jobsincare.com — please click the "Apply Now" button alongside this description to submit your application.
Work in a brand‑new, purpose‑built inpatient unit (Water Meadow View) opening late Autumn 2025 — modern facilities and co‑produced environment.
Clear senior salary band (£47,810–£54,710) — competitive pay for a specialist social work post in the NHS.
Family‑friendly flexible working (term‑time, part‑time, compressed hours, flexi‑time, career breaks) — great if you balance caring or school runs.
Lead and shape the inpatient social work role across the trust — strong clinical leadership and career development opportunity.
Direct, meaningful work with adults with learning disabilities, families and multi‑agency discharge planning — high professional impact.
Site in Whittingham/Preston (PR3) — commutable from Lancashire towns; suitable if you drive and need reliable access to work.
Not sure?
If you're interested in this role but you have questions or you're not yet ready to apply, then please book a quick call with us and we'd be happy to answer any questions you have and tell you more about the role.
If you're interested in this role but you have questions or you're not yet ready to apply, then please book a quick call with us and we'd be happy to answer any questions you have and tell you more about the role.
Requirements
See the job description for full role requirements.
Benefits
Work in a brand‑new, purpose‑built inpatient unit (Water Meadow View) opening late Autumn 2025 — modern facilities and co‑produced environment.; Clear senior salary band (£47,810–£54,710) — competitive pay for a specialist social work post in the NHS.; Family‑friendly flexible working (term‑time, part‑time, compressed hours, flexi‑time, career breaks) — great if you balance caring or school runs.; Lead and shape the inpatient social work role across the trust — strong clinical leadership and career development opportunity.; Direct, meaningful work with adults with learning disabilities, families and multi‑agency discharge planning — high professional impact.; Site in Whittingham/Preston (PR3) — commutable from Lancashire towns; suitable if you drive and need reliable access to work.
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Tell us about a time when you led a multi‑disciplinary assessment for an inpatient with a learning disability and complex behaviours. What was your role, what actions did you take, and what was the outcome?
How do you ensure compliance with the Mental Capacity Act, Mental Health Act and human rights principles when planning care and restrictions of liberty for an inpatient?
Describe an example of coordinating a Care and Treatment Review (CTR) or Care, Education and Treatment Review (CETR). How did you prepare, who did you involve, and what changes resulted?
How would you approach facilitating a safe, planned admission or an early, supported discharge where there are delays due to commissioning or placement issues?
Give an example of how you have championed service user participation or co‑production (including oversight of peer/support workers or advocacy) in service development or individual care.
1. 1. Tell us about a time when you led a multi‑disciplinary assessment for an inpatient with a learning disability and complex behaviours. What was your role, what actions did you take, and what was the outcome?
2. 2. How do you ensure compliance with the Mental Capacity Act, Mental Health Act and human rights principles when planning care and restrictions of liberty for an inpatient?
3. 3. Describe an example of coordinating a Care and Treatment Review (CTR) or Care, Education and Treatment Review (CETR). How did you prepare, who did you involve, and what changes resulted?
4. 4. How would you approach facilitating a safe, planned admission or an early, supported discharge where there are delays due to commissioning or placement issues?
5. 5. Give an example of how you have championed service user participation or co‑production (including oversight of peer/support workers or advocacy) in service development or individual care.
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Mental health has emerged as a critical issue in the United Kingdom, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crisis highlighted the fragility of mental well-being across different demographics, from children and adolescents to adults and the elderly. It has sparked a wider conversation about the importance of mental health care, accessibility, and the stigmas often associated with mental illnesses. Learn more...
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