Job summary
This secondment role will be working with DPT adult directorate health and social care staff and specialist services to expedite safer discharges. It will also be working collaboratively with Housing partners, county and district council colleagues, private providers of care and VCSE.
The main area of focus will be to lead and manage the development, delivery and promotion of the Hospital Discharge Service across DPT Urgent and Inpatient Care (UIC). This will cover Adult, Older Persons and Rehabilitation pathways and incorporate the, Discharge Facilitators, MHLDA Peer Support Workers and Ward based Social Workers.
Secondment period ends 31st October 2026
Main duties of the job
- To ensure that all staff adopt and maintain a person centred approach to the development and delivery of high quality care and uphold the principle that each individual is at the centre of our services and the care they require
- To actively promote partnerships with local statutory, voluntary and independent sector organisations
- To plan, support, facilitate and monitor development of the objectives and priorities adopted by the Council, NHS Devon and the Trust and provide leadership to ensure staff understand the need to adopt and adhere to the outcomes agreed
- To have responsibility to work with managers to ensure the health and social care workforce staff are appropriately line managed, supervised and supported in accordance with the relevant policies of the employing agencies and best practice
- To report on performance for the service; issues around this could be highly complex, sensitive and contentious where there are capacity issues or key performance indicators have not been met
- Analysis and interpretation skills will be required to ensure that highly complex facts or situations regarding the implementation of initiatives and projects, use of resources and lack of care capacity are considered and appropriate action is taken
- Maintain expert knowledge in adult social care and contribute to the Trust Wide awareness of how best to achieve successful outcomes for people that use services across DPT
About us
About Devon Partnership Trust
We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.
We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.
Details
- Date posted: 24 July 2026
- Pay scheme: Agenda for change
- Band: Band 8a
- Salary: £57,528 to £64,750 a year pro rata (33.75 hours per week)
- Contract: Secondment
- Duration: 3 months
- Working pattern: Flexible working
- Reference number: C9369-26-0510
- Job locations: Wonford House, Dryden Road, Exeter, Devon, EX2 5AF, United Kingdom
Job responsibilities
- Responsibility for overseeing consistent practice and processes of Discharge facilitators, MHLDA Peer Support Workers, Ward social workers on all adult, OPMH and Rehabilitation
- Working with DPT adult directorate health and social care staff and specialist services to expedite safer discharges.
- Working collaboratively with Housing partners, county and district council colleagues, private providers of care and VCSE.
- To lead and manage the development, delivery and promotion of the Hospital Discharge Service across DPT Urgent and Inpatient Care (UIC). This will cover Adult, Older Persons and Rehabilitation pathways and incorporate the, Discharge Facilitators, MHLDA Peer Support Workers and Ward based Social Workers.
- This will enhance patient flow across UIC and Community services and ensure patient centred, quality, safe and timely transfers of care and discharges across the whole system. To reduce Delayed Transfers of Care and facilitate live monitoring of complex patients with a long length of stay in inpatient settings.
- To actively pursue opportunities for integrated working, and service development, by building and maintaining effective working relationships across UIC and community services including but not limited to:
- Housing partners
- Voluntary services
- General Practitioners
- Core Teams
- Social Care Teams (across Councils)
- Community Hospitals and Modern Matrons
- Arranging Support Teams
- Care Direct Plus
- Locality Managers across DPT
- Independent Sector Providers
- Emergency Duty team
- Human Resources
- To ensure that all staff adopt and maintain a person centred approach to the development and delivery of high quality care and uphold the principle that each individual is at the centre of our services and the care they require.
- To actively promote partnerships with local statutory, voluntary and independent sector organisations.
- To plan, support, facilitate and monitor development of the objectives and priorities adopted by the Council, NHS Devon and the Trust and provide leadership to ensure staff understand the need to adopt and adhere to the outcomes agreed.
- To have responsibility to work with managers to ensure the health and social care workforce staff are appropriately line managed, supervised and supported in accordance with the relevant policies of the employing agencies and best practice.
- To work collaboratively with regards to commissioning projects and initiatives and to consult and engage staff and stakeholders.
- To report on performance for the service; issues around this could be highly complex, sensitive and contentious where there are capacity issues or key performance indicators have not been met.
- Ability to identify risks, anticipate issues and create solutions.
- Analysis and interpretation skills will be required to ensure that highly complex facts or situations regarding the implementation of initiatives and projects, use of resources and lack of care capacity are considered and appropriate action is taken.
- The post holder will interpret national guidance to establish the impact on existing services and support in local implementation.
- Maintain expert knowledge in adult social care and contribute to the Trust Wide awareness of how best to achieve successful outcomes for people that use services across DPT.
- To act as an agent of change in respect of service and practice development.
Person specification
Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience of complex hospital discharge.
- Proven track record of managing hospital and community services at a band 7 (or equivalent) or above level, and being accountable for direct delivery of a care services with the ability to deliver highly specialised care management advice to a multi-disciplinary team across both community and hospital settings.
- Evidence of working across hospital / primary/community and social care to improve service outcomes and develop services. With experience of developing and integrating care policies across the community and hospital settings.
- Experience and evidence of managing both hospital and community teams with the experience of managing staff, including recruitment, career development and performance/work evaluation.
- Evidence of ability to appropriately utilise and flex team members across the hospital and community settings and perform cross boundary working.
Desirable
- Evidence of leading change and projects with successful outcomes in both the hospital and community settings.
- Budget management experience and skills in achievement of financial targets as a budget holder with the experience of authorising varying expenses.
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to Degree level or equivalent academic ability and hold an appropriate professional qualification in Nursing, Therapy or Social Work.
- Professional Registration from HCPC/Social Work England, NMC or other healthcare professions
- Professional clinical knowledge underpinned by theory and experience.
- Evidence of continuing professional and personal development to Masters equivalent level.
Desirable
- Management qualification
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Trust Discharge Lead with Devon Partnership NHS Trust in Exeter, South West, England. It is listed as a Band 8 Manager and corporate role. The advertised salary is £57,528 to £64,750 a year. The contract type is Secondment. The application deadline is 30 Jul 2026.
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