Referral and Assessment Manager (Complex Care) in Rochdale

Referral and Assessment Manager (Complex Care) in Rochdale

Rochdale Full-Time 30000 - 35000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Stepping Stones Services

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead complex referrals and support community transitions in health and social care.
  • Company: Optimo Care Group, dedicated to high-quality, person-centred support.
  • Benefits: Hybrid working, career progression, employee assistance programme, and discounts.
  • Other info: Join a supportive team focused on innovation and positive outcomes.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of individuals with complex care needs.
  • Qualifications: Minimum three years' experience in health and social care roles.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 35000 £ per year.

Location

North of England (Lancashire/Yorkshire)(Hybrid – Minimum 3 days office based)

Hours

37.5 hours per week, Monday–Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm

Optimo Care Group provides specialist, person-centred support across the UK for individuals with Learning Disabilities, Autism, Mental Health needs and Complex Care requirements.

We are committed to delivering high-quality care, investing in our people and creating positive outcomes.

The Role

Reporting to the Head of Transforming Care, this newly created strategic role will lead the assessment, progression and mobilisation of complex referrals across Learning Disability, Autism, Mental Health and Complex Care services.

Working closely with operational teams, commissioners, Local Authorities, NHS partners and multidisciplinary professionals, you will support hospital discharge, admission avoidance, placement stability and the development of sustainable community-based support.

This opportunity is ideal for an experienced practitioner, assessment lead, referrals/admissions manager, nurse, social worker, PBS practitioner, operational manager or commissioning professional seeking to influence service development and improve outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

  • Assess complex referrals, determining suitability, viability and sustainability.
  • Support hospital discharge, admission avoidance and community transitions.
  • Build relationships with commissioners, Local Authorities, ICBs, NHS Trusts and care managers.
  • Coordinate multidisciplinary assessments and specialist input.
  • Develop bespoke, community-based support packages.
  • Complete robust risk assessments and oversee safeguarding.
  • Support occupancy growth through effective referral management.
  • Contribute to service mobilisation, transition planning and workforce readiness.
  • Produce high-quality assessments, reports and recommendations.
  • Promote person-centred, least restrictive, outcome-focused practice.
  • Support pathway development, innovation and continuous improvement.

About You

  • Minimum three years' experience in a senior practitioner, assessment, referrals, admissions, commissioning, operational leadership or clinical role within Health & Social Care.
  • Experience supporting people 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 managing safeguarding concerns, restrictive practices and placement breakdowns.
  • Experience working with multidisciplinary teams, commissioners, Local Authorities, NHS Trusts and ICBs.
  • Experience presenting recommendations to funding panels, governance forums and senior stakeholders.
  • Excellent communication, organisational and relationship-building skills.
  • Competent in Microsoft Office.

Qualifications & Knowledge

  • Relevant professional qualification or equivalent experience in 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.

Knowledge of

  • Learning Disabilities, Autism and Mental Health.
  • Mental Capacity Act, Do LS/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.
  • Experience with Transforming Care, CTR/CETR and Dynamic Support Register (DSR).
  • Experience within ABI, Forensic or specialist services.
  • Experience in service mobilisation, pathway development, occupancy growth and commissioner engagement.

Why Join Us?

  • Hybrid working (minimum three office days per week).
  • Career progression opportunities.
  • Employee Assistance Programme (Health Assured).
  • Reward Gateway discounts and recognition.
  • Supportive, 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.
  • #INDSN
  • Complex Assessments Manager
  • OL11 4JG
  • £30,000 to £35,000 per year OTE up to 55,000.00
  • #J-18808-Ljbffr
Stepping Stones Services

Contact Details:

Stepping Stones Services Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Referral and Assessment Manager (Complex Care) 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 Stepping Stones Services.

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 Stepping Stones Services!

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 Stepping Stones Services, 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 Stepping Stones Services 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 Manager (Complex Care) in Rochdale

Assessment Skills
Referral Management
Complex Care Knowledge
Risk Management
Report Writing
Communication Skills
Relationship Building

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 Stepping Stones Services:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Stepping Stones Services! 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 Stepping Stones Services

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.