At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead assessments and referrals for individuals with complex care needs in a supportive environment.
- Company: Optimo Care Group, a specialist provider of high-quality care across the UK.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, career progression, employee assistance programme, and discounts.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team focused on positive outcomes and service innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your career in health and social care.
- Qualifications: Minimum three years' experience in health and social care with strong assessment skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 35000 £ per year.
Location: Rochdale (Hybrid – Minimum 3 Days Office Based)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday–Friday (9am–5pm)
Optimo Care Group is a specialist provider of high‑quality care and support services across the UK, supporting individuals with Learning Disabilities, Autism, Mental Health needs and Complex Care requirements. We are committed to delivering person‑centred care, investing in our people, and creating positive outcomes through safe, high‑quality services.
The Opportunity
This newly created strategic role within our Transforming Care function will support the assessment, progression and mobilisation of complex referrals across Learning Disability, Autism, Mental Health and Complex Care pathways. Reporting to the Head of Transforming Care, you will work closely with operational teams, commissioners, NHS partners and multidisciplinary professionals to support hospital discharge, admission avoidance, placement stability and the development of sustainable community‑based support arrangements. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced practitioner, assessment lead, referrals/admissions manager, nurse, social worker, PBS practitioner, operational manager or commissioning professional looking to influence service development and support positive outcomes for people with complex needs.
Key Responsibilities
- Review and assess complex referrals, determining service suitability, viability and sustainability.
- Support hospital discharge, community transitions and admission avoidance in line with Transforming Care principles.
- Build effective relationships with commissioners, Local Authorities, ICBs, NHS Trusts and care managers.
- Coordinate multidisciplinary assessments and specialist input.
- Develop bespoke support packages and community‑based solutions.
- Ensure robust risk assessment, safeguarding oversight and positive risk management.
- Support occupancy growth through effective referral management and conversion.
- Contribute to service mobilisation, transition planning and workforce readiness.
- Produce high‑quality assessments, reports and recommendations.
- Promote person‑centred, least restrictive and outcome‑focused practice.
- Support pathway development, service innovation and continuous improvement.
Initial Priorities
- Increase assessment capacity and responsiveness.
- Improve referral‑to‑decision timescales.
- Strengthen commissioner relationships and referral conversion.
- Support sustainable admissions and service growth.
- Enhance assessment governance, quality and consistency.
About You
- Minimum three years' experience in a senior practitioner, assessment, referrals, admissions, commissioning, operational leadership or clinical role within Health and Social Care.
- Significant experience supporting individuals with Learning Disabilities, Autism, Mental Health needs, Complex Care needs and Behaviours that Challenge.
- Proven experience managing complex referrals, assessments, admissions, transitions and placement planning.
- Strong assessment, analytical, risk management and report‑writing skills.
- Experience working with complex presentations, safeguarding concerns, restrictive practices and placement breakdowns.
- Experience working alongside multidisciplinary teams and engaging with commissioners, Local Authorities, NHS Trusts and ICBs.
- Experience presenting recommendations to funding panels, governance forums and senior stakeholders.
- Excellent communication, relationship‑building and organisational skills.
- Competent in Microsoft Office applications.
Qualifications & Knowledge
- Relevant professional qualification or equivalent experience within Learning Disability, Autism, Mental Health, Nursing, Social Work, Psychology, Occupational Therapy, PBS or a related field.
- Evidence of ongoing CPD.
- Full UK Driving Licence and access to a vehicle.
Strong knowledge of:
- Learning Disabilities, Autism and Mental Health.
- Mental Capacity Act, DoLS/LPS and Care Act.
- Safeguarding legislation and best practice.
- Building the Right Support and Right Support, Right Care, Right Culture.
- Community transition and hospital discharge pathways.
- RNLD, RMN, Social Work, Occupational Therapy or Psychology qualification.
- PBS, Project Management or Leadership qualification.
- CTR/CETR, Dynamic Support Register (DSR) and Transforming Care experience.
- Experience within ABI, Forensic or specialist services.
- Service mobilisation, pathway development, occupancy growth and commissioner engagement experience.
Why Join Us?
- Hybrid working (minimum 3 days office‑based).
- Access to the Optimo Learning Academy.
- Career progression opportunities within a growing organisation.
- Employee Assistance Programme (Health Assured).
- Reward Gateway discounts and recognition benefits.
- Supportive and collaborative working environment.
Additional Information
- Enhanced DBS required.
- Initially supporting services across the North Region, with opportunities to contribute to wider organisational and national growth initiatives.
Referral and Assessment Lead in Rochdale employer: Optimo Care Group
Optimo Care Group is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment that prioritises employee growth and development. With hybrid working options and access to the Optimo Learning Academy, employees can enhance their skills while contributing to meaningful outcomes for individuals with complex needs. The company is dedicated to person-centred care, ensuring that staff are valued and recognised for their contributions, making it an ideal place for professionals seeking a rewarding career in health and social care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Referral and Assessment Lead in Rochdale
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Optimo Care Group.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Optimo Care Group!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Optimo Care Group, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Optimo Care Group or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Referral and Assessment Lead in Rochdale
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Optimo Care Group:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Optimo Care Group! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Optimo Care Group
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
