Referrals Lead - 35 Hours pw - Driver Required

Job Purpose 

This role will play a critical function in ensuring that a systematic and robust approach is taken for the management of the Referrals and Admissions process for our operational services. 

The role holder will coordinate, generate, market, and manage referrals on behalf of AFG, whilst promoting existing voids in services to support AFG’s growth agenda. 

The Referrals Leads will assist the Regional Managers and Heads of Operations to deliver this ambition by ensuring that we manage the flow of people into, and out of community services in a safe and timely manner. Thus, maximising our financial performance and operational effectiveness by positively impacting more lives. 

Dimensions 

• This post has no direct reports, however, will coordinate, monitor and guide the activities of other stakeholders or colleagues as part of the referrals or admissions process. 

• Liaison with Local Authorities, Commissioners, and community practitioners. 

• Responsibility for coordinating and where required, completing, the referral, assessment process,  

• Responsibility to guide, mentor, and support Operational managers with the end-to-end process of managing voids and maximizing occupancy and income. 

• Liaison with AFG colleagues in our Independent Hospitals to support current inpatients discharge into AFG community provision where appropriate. 

Principal Accountabilities 

• Manage and oversee key aspects of the referral process in line with AFG policy and procedure. 

• To support the Head of Operations – Community Services and Adult Care Homes, in implementing, managing and improving the systems, policies and processes relating to referral lead i.e. referral and assessment. 

• Review and improve where necessary AFG documentation around the referral lead process. 

• Identify and proactively market potential vacancies and voids through communication with local authorities or commissioners to support business and growth plans. Act as a link between external stakeholders (commissioners, clinicians, and brokerage teams) and AFG managers to manage timescales, expectations and minimise negative outcomes.  

• Work collaboratively with Area Managers and Heads of Operations to support the implementation and management of any placements or referrals made to AFG.  This will include the provision of advice or the coordination of activities related to that process. 

• Provide guidance to operational colleagues at all levels on the Referrals and Admissions processes – This will include the development and maintenance of appropriate support and guidance documents to ensure the effective and compliant delivery of this process. 

• Establish and develop a network of business contracts and meaningful relationships (customers / commissioners / partners – e.g. housing providers) aligned to the strategic business plans and the commercial development priorities of AFG 

• Provide good governance and maintenance of relevant data through the effective recording and analysis of admissions and referrals data for all services, identifying and reporting on trends, strategic opportunities and discharge risk of placements. 

• Work with the Business Development Team to regularly collate all information required to monitor referrals and placements from each service; ensuring the referrals process is followed, promoting and nurturing positive relationships with and between internal and external stakeholders at all times. 

• Support the Head of Central Operations with the preparation of written proposals or summary papers / reports related to the referrals process. 

• Develop and manage a monthly tracker for voids, new admissions and monitoring discharge risks of people we support leaving services. 

• Hold responsibility for weekly occupancy forecast and reporting on the progress of referrals, occupancy and placements. 

• Review and improve where necessary AFG documentation around the referrals and assessment process. 

• Ensure fair and equitable access to AFG Community services for all individuals based on support need not just diagnosis. 

Experience

• At least 2 years experience within the Health and Social care sector, ideally having worked with people with learning disabilities and / or mental health needs. 

• Experience in assessing the needs of people with disabilities and be able to work with Area Managers and Heads of Operations to make recommendations on support needs, identify risk and how to manage this and be able to identify compatibility with the services in our portfolio. 

• Experience of working within a creative and innovative environment and using a range of reporting tools and evidence to inform and improve practice and performance. 

• Experience of CQC regulatory compliance framework and maintaining high standards of quality and safety. 

Skills & Knowledge

• You will be an excellent communicator and team player, building strong working relationships with colleagues and external local authority contacts.  

• Demonstrable project management skills are essential as well as an ability to maintain a calm approach whilst managing multiple tasks in order to effectively prioritise your workload.   

• Strong presentation and report writing skills are also critical for this role. 

• Excellent problem solver. 

• Highly resilient and able to work at a pace and manage competing priorities. 

• Agile thinker able to take decisions. 

• Highly numerate and excellent analytical skills. 

• High degree of IT literacy. 

• Ability to influence senior stakeholders. 

• An understanding of all relevant health and social care legislation and regulatory frameworks 

• Fluent on the policy context of the health and care sector 

Values & Attitude

• Commitment to Public Service values (the Nolan Principals) and principles and the values of Alternative Futures Group 

• Commitment to developing self and others 

• Passion for making a positive difference in the lives of others 

Qualifications & Training

• Proficient in the use of Office365 applications (Particularly, Word, PowerPoint and Excel) 

• Educated to NVQ Level 4 or equivalent 

Other

• Car driver with full license. 

• Ability to travel across the Northwest and wider as required. 

• Expectation to be in  AFG locations when required.  

This role is Band II as per our structure

We’re Alternative Futures Group, a health and social care charity providing specialist support for people with a learning disability or mental health condition.

We’re proud to have been positively changing lives and enabling people to achieve amazing outcomes for over 30 years.

We have a vision to create a world where amazing people do amazing things every day. Our skilled and experienced teams work with every person we support to create a personalised, outcome-focused plans to achieve their aspirations.

As a ‘values based’ employer, the people that work for us genuinely care about the people they support, and we are seeking likeminded people to join our team.  If you are passionate about working in Health and Social Care and have a real desire to make a positive difference to the lives of the people we support then we would love to hear from you.

At AFG we also recognise the contribution and value that our staff make.  We would not be able to provide the life changing support that we do without people like you!

In return for your contribution we will support you throughout your career and we provide a wide range of employee benefits, career development and lifestyle support services to ensure that you too feel supported, fulfilled and valued from day one of your employment with us.