Overview
Head of Service - Learning Disabilities, Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust. The closing date is 17 February 2026
The Head of Service (HOS) for Adult Learning Disabilities and Autism Keyworker Services has a key leadership role and acts as a role model for others. The HOS communicates and maintains excellent working relationships with all those who use, commission, and work within the learning disability service and the wider Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Autism Collaborative. The HOS is operationally responsible for the learning disability service across Kent and will act as an expert within LD to support the service review and future service model with Commissioners. They provide motivational leadership, guidance, and support to professional/clinical leads and service managers to deliver high quality services, change management, and service development. Our values guide behavior, and managers are expected to demonstrate these behaviours.
As part of the selection process, two additional activities will be included along with the competency-based interview. The extended process assesses management style; details will be given if shortlisted. The provisional selection event is 25 February 2026, subject to change.
Main duties of the job
The post holder is expected to be kind, responsive and professional, contributing to the quality of the service provided within the community learning disability teams across the health economy by:
* Developing effective and integrated care pathways in partnership with service users, commissioners and key stakeholders, particularly education and social care colleagues.
* Maintaining a focus on quality and productivity throughout the Learning Disabilities and Autism Keyworker service to provide the highest possible level of care within agreed resources.
* Being responsible for evidencing service quality and productivity through production of reports and data sets, and utilisation of benchmarking data in order to ensure continuous learning and improvement.
* Leading on service improvement and redesign and embedding changes into everyday practice through strong management of professional leads and team managers.
* Providing robust management and leadership to the professional/consultant leads ensuring teams are working in line with professional, organisational and local policies and guidelines.
* Making recommendations and taking actions to drive forward innovative solutions to achieve business objectives, service improvement strategies and financial efficiencies linked to annual business plans.
This will involve working with commissioners to support the collaborative review and transformation of services from April 2026.
About us
Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we are committed to delivering high standards of patient care and excellent services to improve the health of our communities. We value compassionate, aspirational, responsive and excellent care. We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from people with varied backgrounds, perspectives and experiences. We collect information about protected characteristics to ensure diverse, equitable opportunities and a Great Place to Work. Shortlisted applicants will see two ticks in the scheme to apply the principles of the guaranteed interview scheme for disability. Information supplied on applications should be true and accurate.
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we support flexible working arrangements to suit staff and patients. See where you can go with KCHFT career pathways. See where you can go with KCHFT career pathways.
Job responsibilities
Please note: at this stage, the role is open only to colleagues currently employed within Kent and Medway NHS Trusts and the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB). Nursing vacancies are also open to Student Nurses and Newly Qualified Nurses.
As a community Trust, many roles require the ability to drive to perform duties. If driving is required, you will be asked to confirm you hold a full UK driving licence or a full EU driving licence. We support candidates with disabilities; if you are unable to drive due to a disability, contact the Recruitment Team via kentchft.recruitment@nhs.net with the vacancy reference number for further support.
The job description and person specification provide the information about this role. Review the criteria and demonstrate how you meet them in your application. If you need an alternative format for the application form, please contact the recruitment team. Ensure all information supplied is true and accurate.
For questions, contact the recruiting manager (details in the job advert). Applications may close early if there is high interest.
We encourage vaccination to protect staff and patients where applicable. For more about the community difference, see our information here.
Good luck and welcome to #teamKCHFT, #cometocommunity.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Degree level qualification in health/social care or equivalent experience, with evidence of postgraduate training
* Demonstrable evidence of management qualification or equivalent knowledge of the clinical, commissioning and financial environment
* Current membership of relevant professional organisation/regulatory body
Experience
* Direct NHS experience of delivering care for Adults with LD
* Demonstrable management experience in the NHS including managing a unit or function, planning, monitoring and delivering services
* Experience of managing service budgets
Skills & Abilities
* Team management and leadership skills
* Ability to develop and maintain inter-agency and inter-disciplinary links
* Ability to prioritise, work under pressure, motivate and lead staff through change
Knowledge
* Current knowledge of child/adult protection procedures
* Understanding of the role of other professionals and partnership working
* Demonstrate clear vision of patient care and service delivery models
Ability to manage
* Desire to develop management skills in a role requiring a sound clinical background and excellent analytical and reflective skills
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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
£64,455 to £74,896 a year (pro rata)
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