Head of Referrals and Service Development

Reports to: Head of Service
Location: Remote working
Hours of work: 40 hours per week (Monday – Friday)



Primary Objective of Position

My Life Semi-Independent Project provide accommodation and support to Looked after Children including unaccompanied asylum seekers aged 16 – 25 years old.

We recognize the obstacles and challenges that face Young People, as they prepare to leave Local Authority care and make the transition into independence and adulthood.
We believe that by providing Young People with positive role models and empathetic, dedicated experienced Key Workers and Managers we can equip them with the independent living skills required to thrive in the wider community.

As the Head of Referrals and Service Development you are expected to have an understanding of working with Children and Adolescents. In addition to having great leadership and management skills to support and work with a small thriving staff team as well as managers and supervisors to deliver a dynamic, professional and excellent service to our Young People and Local Authorities.


Key Responsibilities:

• Responsibility for overseeing referrals, matching and admissions from relevant Local Authorities.
• To ensure Line Management are kept informed and up to date with occupancy levels.
• To facilitate recruitment of staff to meet the needs of the service.
• Ensure staff are up to date with the company’s training requirements.
• To enhance Young People’s experiences within the Company and promote opportunities for development.
• To develop the service and maintain high quality in all areas.
• To support the Management team in all areas.
• To ensure that the service runs in line with Ofsted supported accommodation regulations.

Referrals
• To liaise with Local Authority Social Workers and Commissioning Officers in an efficient and professional manner with the aim of facilitating the intake of new referrals.
• Responsibility for overseeing referrals and admissions from relevant Local Authorities.
• To determine the most appropriate Young Person to staff match and discuss with the relevant Local Authority to ensure the best outcome for each young person.
• To facilitate pre-placement meetings where possible to ensure potential Young People are aware of the expectations of the service and are a suitable match for the accommodation.
• To ensure Line Management are kept informed and up to date with occupancy levels.
• To develop the Vacancy list and be responsible for sending out up to date information to Local Authorities and Placement teams.
• To record all authorized placement costs and complete Admission forms for Internal use.
• To add new admissions into Lief and ensure matching and admissions paperwork is completed promptly.
• To maintain records of all referrals, vacancies, admissions and discharges.
• To record and evaluate all unsuccessful referrals in order to identify potential areas for growth for the Company.
• To oversee internal moves for Young People within the service.

Regulatory

• To manage and support effective relationships with internal and external suppliers and clients.
• To ensure that the service runs in line with Ofsted supported accommodation regulations.
• To ensure all Company policies and procedures are implemented.
• To ensure Key Workers are trained to a level appropriate to enable them to deliver a high quality service to the young people.
• Maintain and assist with the companies ISO 9001 (quality), 14001 (environmental) and 45001 (health & safety) management systems.
• Maintain and assist the companies CHAS requirements (Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme).

Service Development and Quality

• To identify opportunities and methods for developing the Service to ensure positive outcomes.
• To carry out 6 monthly feedback questionnaires with all Young People and deliver feedback to management team.
• To implement regular competitions and social events for Young People in the service.
• To implement Training and opportunities for Young People in the service.
• To oversee Quarterly Monitoring Reports for Local Authorities as required.
Staff Recruitment and Training

• To lead the recruitment and selection of Staff as required.
• To advertise, shortlist and complete first initial telephone interviews with potential candidates.
• To assist the management team with face to face/ virtual interviews where possible.
• To ensure that information is passed to the Office Manager and support with staff compliance.
• To induct new staff members into their role.
• To maintain and update Power point presentations used for induction purposes.
• To train and develop staff in conjunction with the Service and Project Managers.
• Identify staff training needs and arrange training with external providers, if necessary and arrange training venues.
• To develop and maintain the staff training matrix.
• To plan and implement in house training events for staff members in line with the needs of the company.
• To oversee QCF Level 3/4/5 sign ups with Trainplus, and be escalation point for any issues either from staff, managers or assessors.



General

• To deputize for the Service and Project Managers as and when necessary.
• To participate in Staff meetings.
• To ensure that the Service Manager and the Service Director are made aware of any issue that could adversely impact on the organization.
• Implementing and updating the company policies and procedures as and when required.
• Implement and review staff paperwork / processes/ policies.
• Communicate with external agencies.
• To support Service and Project Managers with processing timesheets for Pay Roll.
• To support with the setting up of new staff with emails/phones/Egress accounts.
This list is not exhaustive and will be subject to change as and when required.


Person Specification
ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE

Work Experience

• At least 3 years of experience of working with children and Adolescents.
• Previous experience of working with looked after children and/or Leaving Care.

Qualifications

• To have a NVQ / QCF Level 3 or above award in Health & Social Care (Working with Children and Young people.

Personal attributes

• Ability to assess risks.
• Problem solving skills.
• Can work within a team.
• Self-motivated and a positive nature.
• Ability to engage with young people in a positive and proactive approach.
• Self-organization.
• Sensitive and reflective.
• Honesty and reliability.
• Ability to listen and empathize.

Job related knowledge and skills

Knowledge of:
• Ofsted Supported Accommodation standards.
• Children and Young Peoples Act 2008.
• The Children Act 1989 and 2004.
• Working together to safeguard children 2013.
• Leaving Care Act 2000.
• European convention of Human Rights.
• Human Rights Act 1998.
• Equality Act 2010.
• Excellent Knowledge of health and safety legislation.

• Can implement new systems and strategies around the needs of young people.
• Effective communication skills: recording and report writing and verbal communication.
• Awareness of non-verbal communication i.e. eye contact and personal space etc
• A professional and caring value base i.e. consistency and empathy.

Training

• Training offered.

Work Conditions

• To join out of hours system and carry out any on call duties.
• Willing to work additional hours to cover sickness and holidays and to work in other homes within your area.
• Have good medical health.
• Flexibility.
• Confidentiality, the ability to understand and respect this aspect of our work is essential in this post.
Work Experience

• Experience of working in commissioning placements for Children and/or Young People.
• Experience in recruitment.

Qualifications

• NVQ / QCF Level 5 in Leadership & Management in Social Care.
• Social Work degree or equivalent.

Personal attributes

• Influence others and persuasiveness.
• Positive leadership skills.
• Develop innovative solutions.
• Dynamic.
• Creative
• Interested in continuous professional development.

Job related knowledge and skills

• Driving licence.
• IT literate.

If you are interested in applying, please create a 2-minute video introduction about yourself (your background, experience, and why you are a good fit), upload it to a shareable platform and include the link, attach your updated CV, state your desired rate, and include your favorite color at the end of your message to confirm that you have read and followed the instructions.