Deputy Director for Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and CYP

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Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust Deputy Director for Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and CYP

The closing date is 12 November 2026

Apply for this job

Job summary

Deputy Director for Mental Health, Learning Disabilities, Children and Young People and Maternity Commissioning

Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) is seeking an experienced and influential leader to join the organisation as Deputy Director for Mental Health, Learning Disabilities, Children and Young People and Maternity Commissioning.

This senior leadership role provides strategic oversight across a large and complex commissioning portfolio, supporting the delivery of high-quality, sustainable services that improve outcomes, reduce health inequalities and deliver value for money for the population of Lancashire and South Cumbria.

Reporting to the Strategic Commissioning Director, the postholder will provide leadership across major commissioning programmes and system-wide priorities, deputising for the Strategic Commissioning Director when required. The role will involve working closely with Board members, senior leaders, providers, local authorities, voluntary sector partners and NHS England to shape strategy, drive transformation and ensure effective delivery of organisational objectives.

The successful candidate will bring extensive experience of commissioning, service transformation and system leadership, alongside the ability to influence at a senior level within complex and politically sensitive environments.

Main duties of the job

• Provide strategic leadership across the Mental Health, Learning Disabilities, Children and Young People and Maternity commissioning portfolio.
• Lead commissioning strategies, service redesign and transformation programmes to improve outcomes and reduce health inequalities.
• Deputise for the Strategic Commissioning Director at local, regional and national forums.
• Develop strong partnerships with NHS providers, local authorities, primary care, social care and VCFSE organisations.
• Oversee performance, quality, governance, risk and assurance arrangements across the portfolio.
• Provide expert commissioning advice to senior leaders, Boards and governance committees.
• Lead major service reviews and commissioning projects across Lancashire and South Cumbria.
• Use population health and performance data to inform strategic decision-making and service improvement.
• Influence ICB-wide planning and contribute to corporate and system-wide priorities.
• Lead stakeholder engagement and co-production activities with partners, patients and communities.
• Manage delegated budgets and resources, ensuring value for money and effective financial stewardship.
• Provide leadership, development and support to senior managers and multidisciplinary teams.

About us

LSCFT values diversity and inclusion, recognising that talent from varied backgrounds creates a flexible, creative, and effective workforce. We actively challenge discrimination and welcome applications from all, regardless of age, disability (including those with experience of accessing or caring for someone who has accessed mental health or learning disability services), ethnicity, gender, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.

Our aim is to reflect the communities we serve, so we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups. If you'd like to discuss your application, please ask.

We also welcome individuals with lived experience relevant to the role or service area, as your insight brings authenticity to our services.

LSCFT support 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 and flexi-time.

The wellbeing of our people is at the heart of everything we do. We offer a wide range of resources, tools and support to help you thrive both in and out of work.

Explore our full wellbeing offer here: Keeping our workforce well

Details

Date posted

29 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8d

Salary

£94,356 to £108,814 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

351-CS2962-LG

Job locations

County Hall Preston

Preston

PR1 8XB

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see attached the job description and person specification for more information about this role.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see attached the job description and person specification for more information about this role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Master's degree or equivalent level of expertise in strategic leadership, management or relevant discipline
• Demonstrable senior leadership and management development
• Relevant professional qualification where required by the specialty

Experience

Essential

• Extensive senior commissioning leadership experience within Mental Health, Learning Disabilities, Children and Young People and Maternity and complex organisational or system environment
• Proven track record of influencing and delivering at system level (e.g., ICS/ICB/ICP or cross-sector)
• Extensive experience deputising for Director-level leaders
• Significant commissioning experience overseeing governance, assurance and risk management processes

Knowledge

Essential

• In-depth knowledge of strategic commissioning leadership, system working, organisational change and transformation
• Strong understanding of commissioning governance, regulatory frameworks, assurance mechanisms and statutory duties
• Ability to analyse and interpret complex datasets, performance information and risk intelligence

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Master's degree or equivalent level of expertise in strategic leadership, management or relevant discipline
• Demonstrable senior leadership and management development
• Relevant professional qualification where required by the specialty

Experience

Essential

• Extensive senior commissioning leadership experience within Mental Health, Learning Disabilities, Children and Young People and Maternity and complex organisational or system environment
• Proven track record of influencing and delivering at system level (e.g., ICS/ICB/ICP or cross-sector)
• Extensive experience deputising for Director-level leaders
• Significant commissioning experience overseeing governance, assurance and risk management processes

Knowledge

Essential

• In-depth knowledge of strategic commissioning leadership, system working, organisational change and transformation
• Strong understanding of commissioning governance, regulatory frameworks, assurance mechanisms and statutory duties
• Ability to analyse and interpret complex datasets, performance information and risk intelligence

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

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Address

County Hall Preston

Preston

PR1 8XB

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.lscft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Address

County Hall Preston

Preston

PR1 8XB

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.lscft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Director Commissioning and Integration

Craig Porter

[email protected]

Details

Date posted

29 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8d

Salary

£94,356 to £108,814 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

351-CS2962-LG

Job locations

County Hall Preston

Preston

PR1 8XB

United Kingdom

Supporting documents

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