Overview
Advanced Nurse Practitioner - Learning Disabilities at South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust. Closing date: 16 October 2025.
Hello, I'm Melissa, LD Team Manager at Barnsley CAMHS, and I am developing our service. I am looking for an experienced and passionate Learning Disability Nurse to join us in a brand new senior Band 7 role. We are a friendly, close-knit team who look after each other and are passionate about the work we do. You will be part of a small, supportive team, creating a vital service for children and young people with moderate to severe learning disabilities, complex mental health needs, or significant behaviours of concern. You will be linked into LD colleagues across SWYPFT, giving you a valuable peer support network. We value flexibility, a healthy work–life balance, and a culture that encourages innovation.
At the time of advertising, this role meets the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. We look forward to receiving your application.
Main duties of the job
Your skills and compassion will make a real difference by tackling health inequalities, improving access to services, and ensuring the voices of young people with LD are heard and valued.
In this role you will hold a varied caseload, carry out specialist assessments and deliver therapeutic interventions. You will act as a role model and advocate for children and young people with LD, while contributing to staff training, supervision, and service development. There are opportunities to become involved in research and to help shape how the service evolves in the years ahead. You will work confidently as part of a system- and consultation-based approach to care.
Barnsley CAMHS is a great place to work, and this is an exciting moment to join our service. Our long-term ambition is to grow into a fully inclusive LD service, and we would like you to be part of that journey.
All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect patients.
About us
We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the West Yorkshire secure provider collaborative. Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.
We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups; we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.
Being a foundation Trust means we’re accountable to our members, who can have a say in how we run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust. Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of thousands of people we meet each year. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment. We reserve the right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary.
Job responsibilities
JOB SUMMARY
The Lead Nurse will be a member of the learning disability locality collective leadership team and responsible for the delivery of safe and effective nursing practice across the community pathways. The Lead Nurse will ensure clinical systems are in place to support and monitor practice and performance and support the team manager in the operational delivery of the service. The Lead Nurse will hold their own clinical caseload. Working with other lead Nurses the post holder will provide trust-wide leadership and support within their own discipline.
KEY RESULT AREAS:
Clinical:
Ability to deliver a comprehensive and effective service to clients within the Learning Disability Locality team and wider nursing service, achieved by:
* Leading in the delivery of the nursing service within the overall locality clinical team.
* Providing specialist nursing assessment and intervention within individuals’ professional expertise to an allocated caseload of more complex cases held by the team.
* Utilising specialist and advanced knowledge of therapy models of practice to guide intervention and assessment methods appropriate to individual service user needs.
* Working with service users to identify nursing goals as part of the overall care plan, using assessment tools based on current evidence-based best practice.
* Supporting the culture and implementation of service user-led care plans to achieve therapeutic goals.
* Ensuring the nursing team monitors, evaluates and modifies treatment to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.
* Showing a working knowledge of current legislation relating to Learning Disability, e.g., safeguarding adults/vulnerable adults, Mental Capacity Act, Mental Health Act 1983, etc.
* Ensuring that the nursing team stays abreast of new approaches and treatment developments when working with adults with a learning disability. Ensuring staff establish and maintain effective documentation processes in line with Trust and Professional standards regarding documentation and RiO guidelines.
Speciality Clinical Responsibilities
* Providing expertise, leadership and supervision to Nurses and support staff working within the locality team.
* Utilising resources effectively to resolve complex clinical and non-clinical situations.
* Broadening clinical research and development skills by leading on the evaluation of the Nursing service via service evaluation, audit and research projects to promote evidence-based practice.
* Promoting reflective practice amongst the team in light of new professional guidance and best practice.
* Working with the Nursing Leads to incorporate emerging research into positive clinical outcomes for service users.
* To liaise with local partnership organisations and projects e.g. Creative Minds, to deliver interventions for service users across the pathway.
Clinical Leadership
Ability to facilitate a professional culture which is open to change, new ideas, concepts and innovation while reflecting Trust strategy and direction. This will be achieved by:
* Ensuring all staff within the nursing service work as a team across the service.
* Developing and maintaining clear structures to reinforce and deliver all the components of Clinical Governance.
* Influencing developments by keeping up-to-date with current practice using available evidence.
* Acting as a specialist resource for information and support.
* Ensuring wherever possible that all practice is evidence based and delivered to an agreed standard.
* Contributing to the training and development of others as required to improve service provision.
* Encouraging an environment which facilitates education and training through the organisation’s appraisal system and the Clinical Supervision policy to support staff to be accountable practitioners.
* Initiating and participating in research and audit, disseminating findings and recommending changes to practice where applicable.
* Using networks locally, regionally, nationally and with higher education establishments to share information, research and good practice.
* Working and coordinating service provision in a collaborative, cooperative manner with other health care professionals and relevant agencies.
Alongside other senior nurses, provide trust-wide leadership and advise as required. To act as a source of professional expertise to other locality teams where required. To lead in staff and student nurse training and development and contribute to training of the multi-disciplinary team. To advise the leadership trio of relevant national policy and guidance specific to Learning Disability Nursing. To participate in the investigation of complaints and other formal processes as directed by the Operational Team Manager/General Manager.
Management and Leadership
Ability to create, maintain and enhance effective working relationships. This will be achieved by:
* Participating in the recruitment and selection of staff, taking the lead role where agreed with the Operational Team Manager.
* Leading the appraisal process within their area of responsibility, ensuring the Trust policy is followed and that regular monitoring and feedback is delivered.
* Participating, under the direction of the Operational Team Manager, in disciplinary or grievance investigations as appropriate.
* Recognising and utilising individual skills and knowledge within their area of responsibility, delegating as appropriate.
* Actively involving staff in service planning and encouraging feedback.
* Encouraging and supporting staff to take responsibility for their own learning and development including the use of individual portfolios.
* Encouraging a positive learning culture within the nursing team and being actively involved in facilitating the education of students where appropriate.
* Participating under the direction of the Operational Team Manager in the absence management process within their area of responsibility.
* Monitoring and advising on the appropriate skill mix within their area of responsibility.
* Ensuring a balance of activity to meet service needs.
* Ensuring the Clinical Supervision process is implemented complying with the Trust and Professional guidelines.
Managing Self
* Actively participating in Clinical, Professional and Managerial Supervision
* Adhering to all Trust policies and procedures, seeking clarification from the service manager if required.
* Prioritising work and managing time effectively
* Acting professionally at all times in line with professional and Trust standards.
* Developing the skills and knowledge to act up in the absence of the service manager as required.
Demonstrating Team Working Skills
* Establishing and maintaining productive working relationships within their area of responsibility and across other agencies as appropriate.
* Dealing with differences in ways that maintain productive working relationships.
* Encouraging others within their area to offer ideas and views
* Recognising the skills and strengths of others.
Managing Resources
* Having responsibility for delegated budgets.
* Having responsibility and controlling the use of resources through effective systems of stock control.
* Ensuring effective use of resources.
Effective Communication
Ability to impart knowledge plans and proposals clearly and effectively. This will be achieved by:
* Having an awareness of current national developments within their area of responsibility, developing these in line with local policies and procedures in discussion with the service manager.
* Establishing and maintaining clear lines of communication with others to enhance good working relationships.
* Ensuring effective channels of communication are in place across the Trust and other agencies, as appropriate.
* Tailoring communication to meet the needs of individuals and groups.
* Organising and conducting meetings, which have clear purposes and outcomes.
* Having the skills required to undertake good communication and using them to express ideas and information clearly.
* Ensuring a culture of open and honest communication.
* Using available resources, and encouraging others to meet the differing communication needs of the population, e.g. ethnic minorities and the hearing impaired.
* Establishing good communication with carers/users.
For full details of the role please see the supporting documents attached.
We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. We strongly discourage this and will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.
Person Specification
Training
* To be willing to undertake post graduate training to further skills, knowledge and expertise.
* Evidence of Continuing Professional Development.
* Moving and Handling training.
* Positive Behaviour Management Training.
* Specialist training in areas relevant to the client group, e.g. mental health, epilepsy, dementia care.
Personal Attributes
* Good timekeeper.
* Maintain a high degree of professionalism at all times.
* Show creativity in working to meet the needs of people with a learning disability.
* A current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability).
Experience
* Experience at deputy sister/charge nurse level and ability to demonstrate development of advanced management skills.
* Experience of working with individuals with complex health needs and behaviours that challenge.
* Experience of managing and assessing risk whilst working independently.
* Work with individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds.
* Experience of providing nursing services to clients living in community settings.
* Leadership and supervisory experience.
* Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary environment.
Qualifications
* RNLD.
* Relevant Teaching Qualification.
* Postgraduate study to Masters Level or equivalent in a field related to Nursing and Learning Disabilities.
Physical Attributes
* Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post.
* A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).
Special Knowledge/Skills
* Evidence of a wide range of clinical skills, abilities and experience.
* Understanding of the specific health needs of people with a learning disability.
* Awareness of current philosophies and legislation in Learning Disability Practice
* Awareness of Mental Health Act and other relevant legislation.
* Awareness of up to date nursing practices.
* Ability to lead and motivate a team of staff.
* Ability to work within budget frameworks.
* Ability to self-motivate and work independently.
* Ability to organise team and delegate appropriately.
* Ability to manage caseloads on short and longer term basis.
* Analytical and problem solving skills.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
* Able to direct junior staff and students as appropriate.
* Ability to represent the service in the absence of senior managers.
* Effective time management.
* Good communication skills and can adapt working practices to meet the cross-section of society.
* Flexibility.
* Good team worker.
* Reliable and caring.
* Able to work unsupervised.
* Knowledge and understanding of cultural and diversity issues.
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.
South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust
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