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Personal Assistant
The closing date is 08 May 2026
The Pennine Network is looking for a Personal Assistant to join our PA Service on a part time, permanent basis. You will have excellent organisation and administrative skills to support the smooth and efficient functioning of the service.
This role is for a highly organised, professional and committed PA who holds full responsibility to provide a comprehensive, confidential and high quality secretarial and administrative service to ensure the efficient and effective organisation of the network management team.
The PA must be able to act as an effective 'gatekeeper' and must therefore have excellent negotiation, diplomacy and interpersonal skills. The post holder will have knowledge of all the relevant administrative and secretarial procedures applicable to this role as well as the ability to deal with non-routine activities that arise. Problem solving is an integral part of the role.
The role will involve contact on a daily basis with a wide range of people - both internal and external to the organisation and therefore requires a confident approach. The post holder will need to be a team player and a 'completer-finisher', with very strong communication skills and an eye for detail.
Main duties of the job
The post holders are expected to manage the own workload and work flexibly in support of the wider PA service and network management team as required. The post holder must be capable of working on his/her own initiative, whilst maintaining a high level of confidentiality and discretion at all times.
The post holder will be organised, professional, committed and will assist in providing a high standard, quality administrative service to the network senior management team.
The post holder will have knowledge of administrative procedures applicable to this role. The post holder will need to be a team player with strong communication skills.
* When directed, on behalf of the manager to communicate and correspond with senior/network managers within the network on difficult, sensitive, complex and sometimes contentious issues. This will require a level of negotiating, empathy and reassurance skills to foster cooperation.
* Produce briefings and presentations as requested. This may involve producing documentation for significant internal communication events including 'Engage' providing an update on the network's current priorities, progress against them and to enable attendees to feedback their thoughts to the SMT (Senior Management Team).
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
Job responsibilities
* To actively contribute to the network management team through supporting the delivery of day-to-day activities and projects, assisting with the delivery of a range of business initiatives and projects aimed at the delivery of quality and excellence.
* To act as a first point of contact for the manager/managers either by telephone, letter, fax, email or in person, presenting at all times a welcoming, friendly and helpful attitude.
* To develop a network of key relationships both within and outside of the network in order to help facilitate the performance of the manager/managers responsibilities and to enhance their reputation.
* To create and maintain effective working relationships with staff at all levels, internal and external across the whole health economy.
Please see attached the job description and person specification for more information about this role.
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
* NVQ Level 4 in Customer Care or Business Administration - or equivalent experience
* Demonstrable commitment to continuous personal development
* Good level of general education
Knowledge
* Awareness of issues in the Mental Health Network
* Intermediate knowledge of a range of administrative procedures and practice
Experience
* Previous experience as a Secretary/Administrator including diary management
* Previous experience of working in a fast moving, confidential, sensitive, pressurised deadline driven environment
* Experience of supporting and minuting meetings
Skills and abilities
* Attention to detail and able to see tasks through to completion.
* Ability to manage non-routine enquiries without immediate supervision
* Use the internet competently to extract required information and research
* Capable of working under pressure and using own initiative; able to prioritise workload
* Attention to detail and able to see tasks through to completion
Other
* Willingness to travel to different locations within the network/Trust
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 name
Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
£28,392 to £31,157 a year subject to confirmation (pro rata for part time hours)
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