Job summary
Are you passionate about ensuring fair, evidence-based access to healthcare? Birmingham, Black Country and Solihull ICB Cluster is seeking an experienced IFR Senior Specialist to support the delivery of Individual Funding Request (IFR) and Prior Approval services.
You will ensure consistent, legally robust funding decisions aligned with commissioning policies, NHS principles and governance requirements. Manage complex requests, reviews, appeals and complaints; advise clinicians and stakeholders; oversee quality assurance, audit and reporting; and support performance and improvement.
Working with clinicians, providers, commissioners and senior leaders, you will support policy implementation, governance, service development, transformation and IFR/Prior Approval systems, maintaining relationships and fair, transparent, timely decisions.
What we're looking for: Experience in NHS commissioning, IFRs, Prior Approvals, governance or complex case management; analytical and decision-making skills; ability to interpret clinical information, policy and legislation; communication and stakeholder management skills; knowledge of audit, complaints, FOI and assurance; and staff support or supervision experience.
Why join us? Influence patient care, work with senior clinicians and system partners, improve services and policies, and build specialist expertise in a supportive team.
Main duties of the job
The IFR Senior Specialist leads the day-to-day delivery of the Individual Funding Request (IFR) and Prior Approval Service across the ICB Cluster, ensuring funding applications are managed in accordance with commissioning policies, governance requirements and agreed timescales. The role provides specialist advice on complex funding requests, clinical policies and eligibility criteria, supporting fair, consistent and evidence-based decision-making.
Key responsibilities include supervising and supporting team members, co-ordinating IFR Panels, reviews, appeals and complaints, and acting as a key point of contact for clinicians, providers and stakeholders. The postholder will monitor service performance, manage risks, lead governance, audit and reporting activities, oversee Freedom of Information and assurance processes, and ensure the effective management of IFR and Prior Approval systems and data.
The role also contributes to the development and implementation of commissioning policies, pathways and operational processes, supports service improvement and transformation programmes, maintains effective provider relationships, and deputises for the Lead Nurse, IFR & Clinical Policy as required. This is a pivotal role in ensuring the ICB meets its statutory and contractual responsibilities while delivering equitable, robust and timely funding decisions for patients across Birmingham, Black Country and Solihull.
About us
Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull Integrated Care Board (ICB) brings together the NHS, local councils and voluntary sector partners to support 2.7 million people. Our vision is to make the area the healthiest place to live and work by improving life chances and reducing inequalities.
As an employee, you will demonstrate our system values, champion inclusion and help address health inequalities so everyone can thrive. In return, the ICB offers a supportive, ambitious and inclusive workplace, with opportunities to develop and work with partners to deliver meaningful change.
The ICB is committed to a workforce that reflects the population of Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull. We promote equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from everyone who meets the role criteria, regardless of age, gender, disability, race, religion or sexual orientation.
The ICB is a registered Disability Confident Employer. We welcome applications from disabled people and will shortlist suitable applicants who meet the essential criteria.
This vacancy is open only to employees of BBCS ICB. Successful internal applicants will remain employed by their current ICB and their work base will remain unchanged
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the full job description and person specification attached
Job Purpose
You will be responsible for providing support to Birmingham & Solihull and Black Country Cluster in:
- Working collaboratively across all domains, including primary, community, secondary care services and voluntary third sector providers to support day-to-day operational management of associated programmesSupporting, facilitating and monitoring progress associated for services associated with area of specialist long term condition.
- Supporting, facilitating and monitoring progress associated for services associated with area of specialist long term condition.
- Responsibility for performance improvement, planning, commissioning and service delivery for services associated with area of specialist long term condition.
In carrying out your role, at least one of the agreed strategic anchors should be at the core of everything you do:
- Commissioning for Value and Outcomes
- Accelerating Neighbourhood Health at Pace
- Making the Best Use of Digital Solutions in our Pathways
- Financial Discipline / 2% Productivity
- Advancing Health Equity
- Integrated Partnership
You will be accountable for:
The Senior Specialist: Individual Funding Request (IFR) has responsibility for the management and co-ordination of the IFR and prior approvals caseload. The role will also manage the IFR Managers and the supporting IFR team members to ensure a robust and effective IFR service is delivered in a timely manner in line with the IFR Policy and the Standard Operating Procedures.
In addition to this the Senior IFR Manager will be responsible for managing the screening and administration against clinical policies. The Senior Specialist will support IFR Managers and IFR team members and hold responsibility for day-to-day management of a team of staff who undertake and implement the IFR service to ensure effective provision.
This role requires dealing with complex and sensitive information, liaising with patients and clinicians and will ensure that from receipt of treatment request, the IFR process is followed in line with policy to conclusion. The accurate tracking and monitoring of each treatment request is required and must be adhered to in a timely manner, as outlined in IFR Policy or ICB contractual agreements, thus avoiding legal challenge.
Person Specification
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential
- A demonstrable understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion with evidence of personal impact in these areas
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Must be able to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive or contentious information, negotiate with ICS partners and Providers on difficult and controversial issues, and present complex and sensitive information to large and influential groups
- Highlight difficult and controversial issues including performance and change to senior managers
- Putting the long-term health, social care and well-being needs
- of the population first (system first)
- Working collaboratively with other leaders to achieve excellence in everything we do
- Holding yourself and others to account for delivering better outcomes
- Being inclusive, supportive and empowering at all times
- Engaging and enabling those working towards the aims we have as a collective
Autonomy
Essential
- Able to work on own initiative and within scope of competence
Personal Qualities
Essential
- You conduct yourself in a caring and considerate manner at all times.
- You are respectful to others and listen to others
- You operate with openness and honesty and ensure you are approachable in conducting your role
- Professionalism and understanding difference are key
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level or equivalent level of experience of supporting project/ programme delivery.
- Knowledge of specialist areas including health and service redesign
- Must have an understanding of the background to and aims of current healthcare policy
- Have an appreciation of the relationship between the Department of Health, the ICB/ICS and individual provider and commissioning organisations
Experience
Essential
- Knowledge of specialist areas including health and service redesign acquired through degree or equivalent experience or training, plus project management knowledge to post graduate diploma level equivalent
Mobility
Essential
- Ability to travel to sites across the cluster as required
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.
Employer details
Employer name
Black Country Integrated Care Board
Address
Black Country Integrated Care Board
Wolverhampton Civic Centre
St Peter's Square
Wolverhampton
WV1 1SH
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://blackcountry.icb.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Senior Specialist: Individual Funding Requests (IFR) in Wolverhampton employer: Black Country Integrated Care Board
The Black Country Integrated Care Board is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that prioritises the well-being of its employees. Located in Birmingham, this role offers unique opportunities for professional growth and development while making a meaningful impact on health outcomes in local communities. With a strong emphasis on teamwork and innovation, employees are empowered to lead initiatives that address health inequalities, ensuring a rewarding and fulfilling career path.
Contact Details:
Black Country Integrated Care Board Recruitment Team
