Head of Learning Disability, Autism Programme & Mental Health S117
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Surrey and Sussex ICB Head of Learning Disability, Autism Programme & Mental Health S117
The closing date is 13 November 2026
Job summary
Lead the LDA/MHs117 team, learning disabilities and autism programme and provide robust leadership and managerial guidance Develop and implement qualitative and quantitative measures to determine performance against the organisational strategy.
Report progress against the strategy through personal representation at senior management forums and by written reports to appropriate boards and groups of staff Present complex information on all aspects of services for adults with LD and children with complex healthcare needs to identify examples of best practice in a clear, understandable and audience-appropriate manner to senior management. Lead and provide advice and guidance to health and social care colleagues in respect of adults with LD and or Autism and S117 aftercare.Ensure the pathway transformations are delivered on time, are cost effective, and are considered, in advance, for their independencies on other projects, and their impact on the wider system. Ensure that the design reflect these appropriately. Keep abreast with National and regional best practice relating to pathways and complex conditions and ensure, where appropriate, ensure it is embedded in relevant pathway transformations.
Main duties of the job
Key relationships may include, but are not limited to:
Executives, peers and colleagues across the organisation and Integrated Care System.Close, integrated working with colleagues across the NHS and other Integrated Care Boards where appropriate. Provider Boards, clinical and managerial leads from across all sectors (including third and private sectors).Primary Care Professional Bodies such as the Local Medical, Local Pharmaceutical, and Local Dental Committees. Local authorities, including Public Health, Adult & Children's Social Care, District and Borough Councils.Universities, schools and colleges.Public, patients and carers - particularly groups established for engagement.Care Quality Commission.
Clinical networks across neighbouring health and care systems, as well as regional and national system architecture.Commercial partners and suppliers.Mental inpatient hospitals locally and out of county? Childrens and Adults community mental health and learning disability servicesCare and housing providersProvider CollaborativesNHSEVoluntary and charitable organisations
About us
The Integrated Care Board (ICB) has the responsibility to decide what health services are needed in Surrey and Sussex and set out how they'll be provided, making sure hospitals, primary care, and other services work together, rather than in silos, for the benefit of everyone in the community. NHS Surrey Heartlands and Sussex ICB achieve this by working in partnership with local health and care organisations, staff, patients, carers, families and the public, to support three million people across Surrey and Sussex to live healthier lives.
Together, we have an ambitious vision for improving health and care services across Surrey and Sussex. We are working to: - Improve health and care outcomes for everyone, with a focus on preventing ill health andproactive care. - Tackle inequalities to reduce unfair gaps in access, experience, and outcomes. - Get better value from our services by enhancing productivity and value for money. - Support local communities to grow and thrive through social and economic development.
We also work with NHS trusts and organisations which deliver healthcare services through developing Provider Collaboratives to improve healthcare pathways, so local people experience better care and outcomes.
Details
Date posted
30 October 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 8c
Salary
£79,504 to £91,609 a year per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
146-SS-830808-4
Job locations
Sackville House
Lewes
BN7 2FZ
United Kingdom
Job description
Job responsibilities
The job description is an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role, and the job specification is an outline of the skills, experience and qualities needed. The job holder will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by their line manager, in line with their skills and experience.
The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the Directorate and ICB.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The job description is an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role, and the job specification is an outline of the skills, experience and qualities needed. The job holder will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by their line manager, in line with their skills and experience.
The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the Directorate and ICB.
Person Specification
Knowledge, Training and Experience
Essential
- oEducated to master's level or equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level in specialist area.
- oExtensive knowledge of specialist areas, acquired through post graduate diploma or equivalent experience or training plus further specialist knowledge or experience to master's level equivalent
- oMust have an understanding of the background to and aims of current health and care policies, priorities and strategy in ICB's and appreciate the implications of this on engagement
- oShould have an appreciation of the relationship between key systems partners, including County Council and wider regional and national bodies e.g., NHSE.
- oExperience and knowledge of change management processes.
- oExtensive experience of working within health and social care particularly with people with LD/A and Mental health illness
- oPractical knowledge and experience of Mental Capacity Act, Care Act and Mental Health Act.
- oKnowledge and experience of individualised commissioning in Mental health and learning disability.
Desirable
- oEvidence of post qualifying and continuing professional development ( if applicable)
- oKnowledge of LeDeR
- oProfessional Healthcare/Clinical qualification or equivalent experience of working in a similar professional role
Analytical
Essential
- oHigh level analytical skills and the ability to draw qualitative and quantitative data from a wide range of sources and present in a clear concise manner
- oAbility to analyse numerical and written data, assess options and draw appropriate conclusions
- oHigh level critical thinking skills
- oAbility to develop, maintain and monitor information systems to support innovation initiatives
- oDemonstrates sound judgement in the absence of clear guidelines or precedent, seeking advice as necessary from more senior management when appropriate
Communication & Relationship Skills
Essential
- oProvide and receive highly complex, sensitive and contentious information, negotiate with senior stakeholders on difficult and controversial issues, and present complex and sensitive information to large and influential groups.
- oPersuade board and senior managers of the respective merits of different options, innovation and new market opportunities.
- oNegotiate on difficult and very complex and detailed issues.
Management Skills
Essential
- oPlans and organises a broad range of complex activities, formulating and adjusting plans to reflect changing circumstances.
- oInputs to strategic plans across NHS and within the specific teams.
- oWorks with Stakeholders to develop performance improvement plans and to develop plans for innovation and opening up the market.
- oGood use of available information sources to enable efficient and effective planning
- oAbility to work under pressure and to tight and often changing deadlines
- oSkills for direct line management and job management.
- oSkills for delivering results through managing through others and using a range of levers in the absence of direct line management responsibility
- oSkills for managing relationships with a range of different stakeholders.
Planning Skills
Essential
- oPlans and organises a broad range of complex activities, formulating and adjusting plans to reflect changing circumstances.
- oInputs to strategic plans across NHS and within the specific teams.
- oWorks with Stakeholders to develop performance improvement plans and to develop plans for innovation and opening up the market.
- oGood use of available information sources to enable efficient and effective planning
- oAbility to work under pressure and to tight and often changing deadlines
Physical Skills
Essential
- oWorking knowledge of Microsoft Office with intermediate keyboard skills.
Equality and Diversity
Essential
- oDemonstrates knowledge and understanding of equality of opportunity and diversity taking into account and being aware of how individual actions contribute to and make a difference to the equality agenda.
- oEnsures staff for whom the post holder has line management responsibility
- oDemonstrates knowledge and understanding of equality of opportunity and diversity.
Autonomy
Essential
- oManages team within the constraints of NHS strategic plan.
- oAbility to work on own initiative and organise workload, allocating work as necessary
- oAbility to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues.
Financial and Physical Resources
Essential
- oPreviously responsible for a budget, involved in budget setting and working knowledge of financial processes
Other
Essential
- oTeam working skills
- oAn ability to maintain confidentiality and trust
- oUsed to working in a busy environment
- oAdaptability, flexibility and ability to cope with uncertainty and change
- oCommitment to continuing professional development.
- oAbility to demonstrate the NHS and ICS values and behaviours in all aspects of work and interactions with colleagues, stakeholders, patients and service users.
- oFull Driving Licence.
Knowledge, Training and Experience
Essential
- oEducated to master's level or equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level in specialist area.
- oExtensive knowledge of specialist areas, acquired through post graduate diploma or equivalent experience or training plus further specialist knowledge or experience to master's level equivalent
- oMust have an understanding of the background to and aims of current health and care policies, priorities and strategy in ICB's and appreciate the implications of this on engagement
- oShould have an appreciation of the relationship between key systems partners, including County Council and wider regional and national bodies e.g., NHSE.
- oExperience and knowledge of change management processes.
- oExtensive experience of working within health and social care particularly with people with LD/A and Mental health illness
- oPractical knowledge and experience of Mental Capacity Act, Care Act and Mental Health Act.
- oKnowledge and experience of individualised commissioning in Mental health and learning disability.
Desirable
- oEvidence of post qualifying and continuing professional development ( if applicable)
- oKnowledge of LeDeR
- oProfessional Healthcare/Clinical qualification or equivalent experience of working in a similar professional role
Analytical
Essential
- oHigh level analytical skills and the ability to draw qualitative and quantitative data from a wide range of sources and present in a clear concise manner
- oAbility to analyse numerical and written data, assess options and draw appropriate conclusions
- oHigh level critical thinking skills
- oAbility to develop, maintain and monitor information systems to support innovation initiatives
- oDemonstrates sound judgement in the absence of clear guidelines or precedent, seeking advice as necessary from more senior management when appropriate
Communication & Relationship Skills
Essential
- oProvide and receive highly complex, sensitive and contentious information, negotiate with senior stakeholders on difficult and controversial issues, and present complex and sensitive information to large and influential groups.
- oPersuade board and senior managers of the respective merits of different options, innovation and new market opportunities.
- oNegotiate on difficult and very complex and detailed issues.
Management Skills
Essential
- oPlans and organises a broad range of complex activities, formulating and adjusting plans to reflect changing circumstances.
- oInputs to strategic plans across NHS and within the specific teams.
- oWorks with Stakeholders to develop performance improvement plans and to develop plans for innovation and opening up the market.
- oGood use of available information sources to enable efficient and effective planning
- oAbility to work under pressure and to tight and often changing deadlines
- oSkills for direct line management and job management.
- oSkills for delivering results through managing through others and using a range of levers in the absence of direct line management responsibility
- oSkills for managing relationships with a range of different stakeholders.
Planning Skills
Essential
- oPlans and organises a broad range of complex activities, formulating and adjusting plans to reflect changing circumstances.
- oInputs to strategic plans across NHS and within the specific teams.
- oWorks with Stakeholders to develop performance improvement plans and to develop plans for innovation and opening up the market.
- oGood use of available information sources to enable efficient and effective planning
- oAbility to work under pressure and to tight and often changing deadlines
Physical Skills
Essential
- oWorking knowledge of Microsoft Office with intermediate keyboard skills.
Equality and Diversity
Essential
- oDemonstrates knowledge and understanding of equality of opportunity and diversity taking into account and being aware of how individual actions contribute to and make a difference to the equality agenda.
- oEnsures staff for whom the post holder has line management responsibility
- oDemonstrates knowledge and understanding of equality of opportunity and diversity.
Autonomy
Essential
- oManages team within the constraints of NHS strategic plan.
- oAbility to work on own initiative and organise workload, allocating work as necessary
- oAbility to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues.
Financial and Physical Resources
Essential
- oPreviously responsible for a budget, involved in budget setting and working knowledge of financial processes
Other
Essential
- oTeam working skills
- oAn ability to maintain confidentiality and trust
- oUsed to working in a busy environment
- oAdaptability, flexibility and ability to cope with uncertainty and change
- oCommitment to continuing professional development.
- oAbility to demonstrate the NHS and ICS values and behaviours in all aspects of work and interactions with colleagues, stakeholders, patients and service users.
- oFull Driving Licence.
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.
Employer details
Employer name
Surrey and Sussex ICB
Address
Sackville House
Lewes
BN7 2FZ
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.surreysussex.icb.nhs.uk/home (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
Surrey and Sussex ICB
Address
Sackville House
Lewes
BN7 2FZ
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.surreysussex.icb.nhs.uk/home (Opens in a new tab)
Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Director Quality, Safety & Experience
Mandy Catchpole
Details
Date posted
30 October 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 8c
Salary
£79,504 to £91,609 a year per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
146-SS-830808-4
Job locations
Sackville House
Lewes
BN7 2FZ
United Kingdom
Supporting documents
Privacy notice
Surrey and Sussex ICB's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)
Support links
© Crown copyright
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