Specialist Advisor Continuing Healthcare Lead

The Specialist Advisor – Continuing Healthcare Lead is responsible for providing strategic leadership, professional expertise and system oversight for NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC), joint funding arrangements and Section 117 responsibilities across Adult Social Care. The role ensures the Council meets statutory duties, interprets the National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare, and implements evidence‑led practice across operational teams.

The Specialist Advisor – Continuing Healthcare Lead provides strategic guidance, supports expert decision‑making, and leads policy development for CHC, joint funding and Section 117. The incumbent shapes practice, strengthens NHS partnerships, ensures financial sustainability, and drives continuous improvement in training, data quality and systems. They also build workforce capability by supporting staff confidence in the framework and fostering innovative professional development.

Qualifications

• Social work qualification or equivalent professional experience, with substantial practice knowledge across adult social care.
• Demonstrable experience of applying the National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC), NHS‑funded Nursing Care, joint funding arrangements and Section 117 aftercare.
• Excellent understanding of the legal, regulatory and policy frameworks that govern CHC, the Care Act, Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and wider social care reform requirements, including 2025 Social Care Reform.
• Strong understanding of CHC and joint funding financial mechanisms, cost‑recovery processes and the interface between local authority and NHS funding responsibilities.
• Experience developing and sustaining effective partnerships with NHS trusts, Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), commissioning bodies, independent providers and other local authorities.
• Proven ability to lead complex dispute resolution, negotiate effectively with NHS partners, and provide professional challenge in contentious multi‑agency environments.
• Ability to lead the organisation and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, with experience using data to identify trends, inform decision‑making etc.
• Experience in leading the design, development and implementation of continuous improvement activity, the introduction of new systems or processes; ability to drive innovation in professional practice such as introducing a CHC community of practice.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce high‑quality reports, formal challenge documents / appeals, and evidence submissions.
• Significant experience of working with and meeting the needs of diverse communities; a good understanding of what drives inequality within communities at a local level.
• Strong understanding of multi‑agency governance and corporate assurance requirements.
• Knowledge of safeguarding responsibilities, quality assurance principles and risk management processes within adult social care.
• Satisfactory employment references and CIFAS identity checks.
• Satisfactory declaration of interest.
• Command of spoken English, with confidence and accuracy sufficient for effective performance of the role.

Equality and Diversity

The Council is committed to equality and diversity and will not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, disability, age, faith or sexual orientation. Applicants should meet the statutory legal requirements for the role, which include a demonstrated commitment to equality and the best practice of inclusive services. The Council has a four‑point equality strategy: promote equality of opportunity, oppose discrimination, reflect the diversity of Waltham Forest in the workforce, and provide fair, accessible services.