At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and enhance referral and placement processes for disabled individuals with complex needs.
- Company: Join Sense, a leading disability charity dedicated to breaking down barriers.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team that values diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of disabled people while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in referrals, placements, or business development in social care or healthcare.
The predicted salary is between 56745 - 56745 £ per year.
We are looking for an experienced Referrals and Placements Manager to lead and strengthen our approach to referrals and placements across Senses commissioned services. This is a permanent role working on a hybrid basis from our office in Selly Oak, Birmingham.
Working closely with operational, quality and finance colleagues, you will help ensure that each potential placement is person-centred, safe and financially sustainable. You will use insight from our referral pipeline to improve conversion, while building strong relationships with commissioners and identifying opportunities for sustainable growth. You will also play an important role externally, developing relationships with commissioners and referrers and ensuring they understand Senses specialist services and the difference we can make for disabled people with complex needs.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and continuously improve Senses referral and placement pathway from initial enquiry through to service start.
- Take ownership of our central referrals pipeline and capacity data, using insight to improve conversion, occupancy and utilisation.
- Coordinate person-centred assessments, compatibility and capacity checks and multidisciplinary input.
- Work closely with operational, quality and finance colleagues to ensure potential placements are safe, appropriate and financially viable.
- Build strong relationships with commissioners, local authorities, NHS partners, SEND teams and other funders and referrers.
- Represent Sense externally and use commissioner and market insight to identify opportunities for growth.
- Lead funding proposals, fee negotiations and commercial recommendations within delegated authority.
- Support the management of contracts and SLAs, including renewals, variations, pricing reviews and commercial risks.
- Provide clear forecasts and performance reporting to support decision-making and accountability.
- Identify and resolve barriers across the referral pathway, bringing together colleagues from across Sense to keep opportunities moving.
- Lead, support and develop referral colleagues, creating a collaborative and high-performing approach.
About you:
You will have:
- Significant senior-level experience within referrals, placements, commissioning, business development or commercial management in social care, specialist education, healthcare or complex support.
- A strong track record of improving referral pipelines, placement conversion, occupancy or income across multiple services.
- Experience building credible senior relationships with commissioners, local authorities, NHS or integrated care system partners, SEND teams or other funders.
- Practical experience of contracts, SLAs, placement agreements, pricing and fee negotiations.
- Strong commercial judgement and an understanding of service viability and commercial risk.
- A sound understanding of person-centred support, safeguarding, quality and relevant regulatory requirements.
- Excellent influencing and negotiation skills, with the confidence to bring together senior operational, quality, clinical and finance stakeholders.
- Experience using CRM systems, performance data and forecasting to drive action and improve outcomes.
- Experience of line management, tendering, mobilisation or cross-functional service development would be an advantage.
About Sense:
Sense is a leading disability charity, here to break down barriers alongside disabled people with complex needs. We use our knowledge and expertise to deliver personalised, creative and flexible support at every stage of life. Together, we drive change, building a future where everyone has the power, choice and control to live the lives we choose.
We are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader and a charity where people can grow their skills and careers in a supportive, flexible environment.
Our values:
- We're creating change
- We're always learning
- We're better together
To apply:
Please use the link below to complete your application. Managers will use your application to shortlist candidates for interview, in relation to the Personal Specification. Therefore, it is very important you complete this section thoroughly. We would recommend that you read the job description and person specification before applying.
Please note to avoid disappointment, we advise you to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close posts at any time. No agency submissions please: any submissions without prior authorisation from the Sense Recruitment Team will be treated as our own and as such no fee will be payable.
If you require any further assistance, please contact the Recruitment Team.
Sense is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. Therefore, all offers of employment, where appropriate, are subject to a DBS check; level dependent on the nature of the role.
Sense is here to break down barriers alongside disabled people with complex needs. That's why we're committed to increasing the number of disabled people working across our organisation and creating an environment where everyone can thrive.
We actively encourage disabled people to apply for our vacancies and believe that a diverse range of perspectives, experiences and talents makes us stronger. We know there's always more we can do to become a truly inclusive employer, and we're working together to achieve that. Join us and help create the change thousands of disabled people with complex needs and families told us they want to see: a world without limits.
If you need us to adjust our recruitment process to help you access our vacancies, then please get in touch with a member of the talent acquisition team. We are a Disability Confident Leader and commit to interviewing disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for a role.
Referrals and placements manager - Permanent - Full Time in Birmingham employer: Sense
At Sense, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that values compassion and enthusiasm. Our team members enjoy flexible working hours, opportunities for professional development, and the chance to make a real difference in the lives of those we support in Margate. Join us to be part of a dedicated community where your contributions are recognised and rewarded.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Referrals and placements manager - Permanent - Full Time in Birmingham
✨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 Sense.
✨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 Sense!
✨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 Sense, 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 Sense 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 Referrals and placements manager - Permanent - Full Time in Birmingham
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 Sense:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Sense! 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 Sense
✨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.
