Learning Disability and Autism Transforming Care Case Manager, Chelmsford

The Transforming Care Programme is now part of a wider approach to Health Equalities for Autistic Children, Young People and Adults and those with learning disabilities. The team works on behalf of the Essex ICB and 3 Local Authorities across Southend, Essex and Thurrock (SET) to transform health and social care systems to deliver improved health outcomes for people with learning disabilities and/or autism (LD/A).

The Case Manager role is essential to this transformation in its unique ability to sit across strategic and operational elements of programme delivery, centred on the requirements of the NHS Long Term Plan relating to those with the greatest vulnerabilities at risk of institutionalised care. This role works within a hosted team, working on behalf of health and social care to keep people safe in the community and prevent unnecessary admission to mental health beds and to facilitate timely discharge.

The role has specific responsibility for enabling preventative and integrated approaches for autistic individuals and/or those with learning disabilities who display behaviours that challenge including those with a mental health condition. The role will help ensure community services are co-ordinated to enable them to remain living in the community where possible, avoid institutionalised care (such as inpatient admission) and ensure well-coordinated and timely discharges from inpatient services.

Specifically, this role will involve providing specialist advice and professional expertise for health professionals and social workers; demonstrating expert and effective practice in complex situations and working with and supporting colleagues to mitigate high levels of risk; independent decision making; working across services (health, social care, education) to ensure agencies respond/react when required, and troubleshooting to ensure barriers are removed and issues resolved. The Case Manager may also chair Care and Treatment Reviews for this cohort.

About You

• Educated to degree level (i.e. Diploma or Degree in Social Work or Nursing) or equivalent.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and subject matter expertise in a relevant professional area.
• Member of relevant Health or Social Care professional body.
• Significant experience of working with people with learning disabilities and/or autism and their families, with an understanding of the functioning of Health and Social Care systems, and the legal/statutory policies/frameworks which govern their delivery.
• A comprehensive and up to date understanding of all relevant legislation including the Mental Health Act.
• Experience of chairing meetings involving clients, family members and/or carers and other multi-agency professionals and making decisions and recommendations on difficult and contentious issues where there may be a number of courses of action.
• Ability to challenge and negotiate with senior stakeholders on difficult and controversial issues to ensure services and interventions are being delivered in line with national policy for people with learning disabilities and/or autism.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; with the ability to build and maintain relationships with Health and Social Care professionals, individuals with learning disabilities and families, and providers to achieve positive outcomes for people with learning disabilities and/or autism.
• Experience of identifying and implementing national policy with regard to learning disability and autism. Experience of researching best practice and implementing this locally.
• This role involves travelling around Essex and beyond. A driving licence and car - or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means - is essential.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We're committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We're also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you've secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs. At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.