Group Referrals & Assessments Manager in Birmingham

At Nova Stars Group, our ambition is simple: to create safe, specialist and genuinely homely environments where people with learning disabilities, autism and complex needs can build stability, independence and meaningful lives.

We are growing and looking for an exceptional Group Referrals & Assessments Manager to take ownership of referrals, assessments, placements and occupancy across the Group.

About Nova Stars Group

Nova Stars Group is the umbrella and holding company for two specialist social care providers. We currently have 11 residential care homes, with six registered and a further five progressing through registration. We have also recently registered our Supported Living provision.

Our services support people with learning disabilities, autism, mental health conditions and complex support needs. We provide transitional services for young people aged 17–25, alongside adult residential services for people aged 18–65.

Our focus is not simply on growth. We want to create more homes where people can thrive and, wherever possible, prevent unnecessary hospital admissions, placement breakdowns and inappropriate institutional care.

The Role

This is a senior, commercially focused role for someone with strong experience in referrals, assessments, placements, commissioning or social care business development.

You will:

• Take ownership of referrals, assessments, placements and occupancy across the Group.
• Develop and manage relationships with local authorities, commissioners, social workers, brokerage teams, NHS/ICB professionals, transitions teams and case managers.
• Build new referral networks locally and nationally, including out-of-borough opportunities.
• Identify appropriate referrals and coordinate the journey from enquiry through assessment, compatibility, funding, transition and admission.
• Work with Registered Managers, ISST, Quality & Compliance, Finance and Senior Leadership to ensure placements are safe, appropriate and sustainable.
• Contribute to funding proposals, package costing and fee negotiations.Identify and pursue frameworks, tenders, Dynamic Purchasing Systems and approved provider opportunities.
• Maintain a strong referral pipeline and plan ahead for new services coming through registration.
• Help develop and improve our approach to referrals, commissioning and business development.

We want someone who can create opportunities, not simply process referrals.

Person-Centred & Commercial

Occupancy is an important measure of success, but quality comes first.

You will need to understand the individual's needs, risks, behaviours, communication, health requirements, staffing needs, environment and desired outcomes before recommending a placement.

Our Integrated Specialist Support Team (ISST) includes Therapists, Psychotherapists, a Learning Disabilities Nurse, an SEMH Educational Lead and a Wellbeing Practitioner. They provide specialist input into complex assessments, transitions and ongoing placement stability.

You will also work closely with Quality & Compliance and Registered Managers to ensure every admission is properly assessed and planned.

We believe that the right placement is one that works for the individual, the service and the organisation.

What We're Looking For

You will ideally have:

• Significant senior-level experience in social care referrals, placements, commissioning, assessments or business development.
• Strong knowledge of learning disabilities and/or autism and complex support needs.
• An established network of professional relationships within commissioning and social care.
• Experience generating referrals and contributing to occupancy growth.
• Experience with tenders, frameworks, procurement portals and commissioning processes.
• Strong commercial awareness and experience with funding proposals and fee negotiations.
• Excellent communication, organisation and relationship-building skills.
• The confidence and initiative to identify new opportunities and challenge existing ways of working.
• A genuine commitment to safeguarding, compatibility, quality and person-centred decision-making.

Most importantly, we're looking for someone with energy, ideas and the determination to make things happen.

What You'll Get

You'll join a growing organisation with an accessible senior leadership team and the autonomy to shape and develop your area.

• Hybrid working: 3 days on‑site at our central head office and 2 days hybrid.
• Travel between services, assessments, commissioner meetings and networking events.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle essential.
• Business mileage paid in accordance with our mileage arrangements.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• BrightHR employee benefits and discounts.
• Birthday off with pay.
• Free parking.
• The opportunity to influence and shape a growing organisation.

Referral Success Bonus

In addition to your salary and benefits, you will be eligible for a £500 referral success bonus for each new placement generated directly through your own referral pipeline, payable once the individual has remained successfully placed with Nova Stars Group for more than 90 days.

The bonus is additional to your contractual salary and is designed to recognise the work involved in developing relationships, creating opportunities and securing appropriate, sustainable placements.

More Than Occupancy

Yes, we want to grow.

But behind every referral and occupancy figure is a person who needs the right home.

If you have the social care knowledge, professional network, commercial drive and ambition to help us create more successful placements and meaningful lives in the community, we'd love to hear from you.