At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the referral process and conduct holistic assessments for individuals with complex needs.
- Company: Join Lifeways, a top UK provider of specialist support services.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, career progression, and a collaborative environment.
- Other info: Be part of a high-performing team with ambitious growth plans.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your professional skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in health or social care, strong assessment and analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
About the Role
As a Referral & Assessment Practitioner, you will play a critical role in Lifeways’ growth by owning the full referral-to-placement journey — from initial enquiry and triage through to assessment, proposal development, funding agreement and mobilisation. You will deliver high-quality, holistic assessments for individuals with complex needs, ensuring safe, person-centred and commercially viable support solutions aligned to Lifeways’ supported living pathways. Working at pace and to clearly defined service expectations, you will analyse multi-source information, identify risks and develop evidence-based recommendations that underpin effective support plans and successful placements. You will act as a key point of contact for commissioners, families and internal stakeholders, ensuring every individual experiences a professional, compassionate and efficient assessment journey.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the full referral process, from enquiry and triage through to proposal, funding agreement and mobilisation readiness
- Conduct holistic, evidence-based assessments (face-to-face and virtual) for individuals with complex needs
- Align assessments to Lifeways’ supported living pathways (including crisis, transitions and complex behavioural support)
- Analyse multi-source and sometimes conflicting information to identify risks, needs and appropriate support models
- Produce high-quality, clear and professional assessment reports that form the foundation of support planning
- Develop costed proposals, ensuring packages are commercially viable and aligned to internal pricing frameworks
- Work to defined turnaround expectations and manage multiple referrals across a wide geographical area
- Collaborate closely with Business Development, Operations, Quality and external partners to ensure cohesive service delivery
- Present proposals to commissioners and support the negotiation of funding agreements
- Coordinate safe and well-planned transitions into Lifeways services
About You
We are looking for a highly capable, commercially aware professional who combines strong assessment expertise with excellent stakeholder and analytical skills.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Assessment Expertise
- Proven ability to assess complex needs across learning disabilities, autism, mental health or related areas
- Strong experience analysing referral information and identifying gaps to inform decision-making
- Sector Experience
- Background in health, social care or housing
- Experience working with individuals with complex or behavioural needs
- Commercial & Financial Awareness
- Experience developing costed support packages
- Ability to balance person-centred care with financial viability
- Analytical & Decision-Making Skills
- Ability to interpret complex information and make sound, defensible recommendations
- Strong risk assessment and safeguarding awareness
- Organisation & Pace
- Experience managing a high-volume, complex caseload
- Ability to work to tight turnaround times and competing priorities
- Communication & Reporting
- Excellent written skills with experience producing high-quality assessment reports
- Confident presenting to commissioners and external stakeholders
- Relationship Building
- Ability to build credibility with commissioners, NHS partners and internal teams
- IT & Systems
- Strong Microsoft Office skills and confidence using digital systems/CRM platforms
Why Choose Lifeways?
- Join one of the UK’s leading providers of specialist support services
- Be part of a high-performing growth and assessment function with ambitious expansion plans
- Play a direct role in enabling safe placements and service growth
- Hybrid working with autonomy over your diary and travel planning
- Work in a collaborative, forward-thinking and values-led environment
- Access to ongoing development and clear career progression opportunities
How to Apply
If you’re passionate about supporting people with complex needs and want to play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality, sustainable support solutions, we’d love to hear from you.
Referrals and Assessment Practitioner - Scotland employer: Lifeway s Group
Lifeways is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and supportive work environment for Referrals and Assessment Practitioners in Scotland. With a strong focus on professional development and career progression, employees benefit from hybrid working arrangements that promote autonomy and work-life balance. Join a values-driven team dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals with complex needs, while enjoying the collaborative culture and ambitious growth plans of one of the UK's leading specialist support service providers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Referrals and Assessment Practitioner - Scotland
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the health and social care sector. Attend local events or webinars where you can meet potential employers and learn more about the industry. Remember, sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to assessment and referral processes. Think about your past experiences and how they align with the role at Lifeways. We want to hear your stories, so make them compelling and relevant!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your analytical skills! Bring examples of how you've assessed complex needs or developed support packages in previous roles. This will demonstrate your expertise and help you stand out as a candidate who can deliver high-quality assessments.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our mission at Lifeways. Let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Referrals and Assessment Practitioner - Scotland
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of a Referral & Assessment Practitioner. We want to see how you can own the referral-to-placement journey and deliver those high-quality assessments!
Showcase Your Expertise:Don’t hold back on showcasing your assessment expertise! Share specific examples of how you've worked with individuals with complex needs and how you've developed evidence-based recommendations. This is your chance to shine!
Be Clear and Professional:When writing your application, keep it clear and professional. We love well-structured documents that are easy to read. Remember, your written communication skills are key for this role, so make every word count!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Let’s get started on this journey together!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lifeway s Group
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Referral & Assessment Practitioner. Familiarise yourself with Lifeways’ supported living pathways and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that assess your analytical and decision-making skills. Think of examples from your past where you've successfully managed complex cases or made sound recommendations based on conflicting information.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since you'll be presenting proposals to commissioners and stakeholders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Prepare to discuss how you build relationships and ensure effective communication throughout the assessment journey.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Awareness
Be ready to talk about how you balance person-centred care with financial viability. Have examples of how you've developed costed support packages in the past, and show that you understand the importance of aligning proposals with internal pricing frameworks.
