Learning Disability Specialist

Overview

South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 04 February 2026

The Learning Disability Specialist is responsible for the Corporate and Operational Learning Disability strategies, policies and procedures within the Trust and for advising Directorate leads on issues relating to learning disability, including legislative requirements. They provide specialist clinical support and advice for the delivery of the learning disability strategic plan and are responsible for producing high level reports in line with strategy, as required.

They will present to the executive management team, board and strategic system partners on learning disability service transformation. They will ensure that SCAS continues to lead nationally around research and evaluation of evidence-based responses to learning disability patient safety and experience. This includes, but is not limited to, working with learning disability and mental health services within SCAS and our key stakeholder partnerships.

They will lead on the design, delivery and review of learning disability education programmes across the Trust workforce and develop relevant clinical audit and evidence-based practice improvements for the delivery of good patient care. They will also act as the SCAS representative at LeDeR meetings and reviews where necessary and appropriate and, work with the R&D lead to contribute to research and development opportunities related to learning disability transformation.

• To be the named professional in the implementation and review of the Learning Disability Strategy.
• Provide specialist consultation, advice and guidance to other professionals at all levels within the Trust and partner agencies.
• Advise and assist in dealing with complaints/enquiries and adverse incidents as appropriate.
• To advise the Trust on sensitive areas related to learning disabilities within serious case reviews and employment investigations.
• To work alongside the Clinical Lead - MH & LD to improve patient experience for those with learning disabilities that have contact with SCAS.
• To advise the Operational, Clinical and Executive Team to ensure that the Trust Board members and senior managers are kept fully informed of all learning disability issues.
• Be responsible for determining the key strategic priorities from the wider learning disability agenda within the Trust (legislation, strategies and guidance) and assist Directors of the Trust to meet them.
• Exercise a high degree of autonomy with high level negotiation skills to make critical decisions and judgements associated with the management of complex learning disability issues.
• To contribute to highly sensitive learning from deaths in learning disability reviews.
• Be responsible for the development of local implementation/action plans to address the outputs from the relevant national learning disability agenda (e.g. DoH, NICE guidance, CQC).

Benefits we offer:

• Full training and a range of courses which you can book locally.
• Holiday entitlement of 27 days, rising to 29 days after 5 years' service and 33 days after 10 years' service, plus an additional 8 days bank holiday (pro rata for part time).
• Automatic enrolment into the NHS Pension Scheme.
• Access to continual professional development within SCAS and the wider NHS.
• Occupational Health support and direct access to our Employee Assistance Programme as well as our own Health and Wellbeing Team.
• NHS Discounts in over 200+ stores saving money on holidays, days out, car insurance, restaurants, clothing and much more.
• Ability to join our staff networking groups (as a member, ally or just for interest).

Corporate Induction

It s really important for us to ensure you have the best onboarding experience which allows you to feel a sense of belonging from the start. To help with this, we will book your Corporate Induction as soon as we possibly can (depending on availability).

All new starters need to attend our Corporate Induction in person, this is held over one and a half days from our educational centres based in:
Newbury (Berkshire), Bicester (Oxfordshire) or Whiteley (Hampshire). More specific details will be…