Advocate on nhs funded complaints jobs

We have an exciting opportunity for experienced and skilled caseworkers to join the staff of a unique social enterprise. The core function of this role is to provide comprehensive casework, advice and advocacy which assists and supports clients throughout the NHS continuing healthcare assessment, appeal and care planning process. With a long history in delivering skilled casework and training in NHS continuing healthcare, we want you to be part of a strong team committed to delivering excellence and achieving success in line with our commercial and social objectives.

You will be an excellent communicator and skilled caseworker with a minimum of 2 years’ experience working within the field of NHS continuing healthcare or a similar role with a transferrable skills. A health, social care, advocacy or legal qualification is desirable but not essential. Proven experience of the ability to understand, digest and disseminate complex information, and to prepare well-reasoned reports is essential.

The successful candidate will have excellent oral and written communication skills with an ability to engage effectively with a range of stakeholders in challenging circumstances. You will be able to establish a good rapport with clients in a professional and caring manner, upholding brand values.

In return, you can look forward to working with a highly-skilled and dynamic team and having influence over the future strategic direction of the company. We also offer a competitive salary with performance-related bonus and an excellent benefits package.

This role is primarily home-based with opportunities nationally. Ability to periodially travel long distances to attend client meetings across England from time to time is essential.

MAIN DUTIES:

1. To provide an independent and comprehensive casework, advisory and advocacy service to private and NHS-referred clients (typically health and social care service users or their representatives) in England and Wales throughout the entire NHS Continuing Healthcare assessment, appeal and care planning process from initial assessment stage through to complaints to the Ombudsman.
2. To provide specialist information and advice to our clients tailored to their specific situation and needs regarding the interpretation of a primary health need from a thorough understanding of relevant criteria, assessment frameworks and legal tests which are based upon case-law. 
3. Provide advocacy and active case support remotely and in person to clients in England and Wales, and their representatives throughout the appeal and complaint processes, and occassionally assessments. This will include periodic travel to assessments and appeal meetings across England and Wales (including overnight stays where necessary), as well as attending virtual meetings via videoconference.Please note: most meetings are now completed virtually via videoconference, however a small number of in-person meetings are still taking place. Applicants will need to be comfortable working from home for long periods as well as with periodic long-distance travel.
4. To keep informed of issues, policies, guidance and legislation affecting clients ensuring that the information provided is relevant, current, complete and accurate.
5. To analytically examine all relevant health and social care records and assessments, and to prepare detailed advisory letters and appeal statements based upon a sound understanding of the facts, and referencing evidence compiled from such records.
6. To assist clients in the preparation of submissions which will be presented on their behalf to relevant Integrated Care Boards and NHS England review and/or appeal panels.
7. To respond to new referrals by making prompt initial contact with the client within the timescales specified by company policies. To keep clients informed of progress at regular intervals.
8. Work closely and efficiently with health professionals from relevant Continuing Healthcare (CHC) teams with the aim of resolving client issues at the earliest possible opportunity so as to provide an efficient and cost-effective service, and to minimise stress for the client.
9. To develop and maintain working relationships with health and social care colleagues within the field of Continuing Healthcare in order to influence best practice.
10. To work with partner organisations and stakeholders to share knowledge, make appropriate referrals, maintain consistency and draw upon each other’s expertise, always striving to improve the quality of both services and provide a better customer experience.
11. To keep relevant and sufficiently detailed case records at each stage and as the case progresses; ensuring that all client information is kept up to date in line with Beacon’s systems and procedures, including data protection (GDPR) policies.  This applies to case files, database entries, authority forms, client correspondence, use of the project management system, filing and archiving.
12. To minimise business costs and maximise income for the company by meeting chargeable time targets, working efficiently, charging clients appropriately and in a timely manner.
13. To uphold the principles of paralegal casework as specified by the Institute of Paralegals, providing a good standard of client care by working with skill and competence thereby ensuring clients are able to place their trust in you.
14. To uphold organisational values, promoting Beacon’s social goals through each area of your work.
15. To manage your own caseload and work independently within the boundaries of Beacon policies and procedures.
16. To undergo a minimum of 12 hours of professional development each year.  To foster an atmosphere of continuous learning and development.
17. Attend line management, supervision and team meetings as appropriate, and to play a full part in the development and success of Beacon.

The above is not an exhaustive list of duties and you will be expected to perform different tasks as necessitated by your developing role and the overall objectives of the companies.

This post may be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Baring Service check or equivalent.

STAFF BENEFITS: Pension Scheme, Generous Annual Leave Entitlement, Death in Service Benefit 4x salary, Flexible Working, Health & Dental Care Plan, Professional Development Plan, Employee Rewards Scheme (Perkbox) and Performance-Related Bonus.

What is NHS Continuing Healthcare?

NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is the name given to a package of care that some people need to receive due to disability, accident or illness. People who are eligible for CHC have the full cost of their care and residential accommodation funded by the NHS. This relieves families of sometimes astronomical care bills.

The criteria for determining who is eligible for CHC are highly complex and can be very difficult for the public to understand, and for professionals to apply consistently. The assessment process is lengthy and detailed. Likewise, the appeal process can be very daunting and perplexing.

About our organisation

Beacon was established in May 2014 for the purpose of providing independent and high-quality support to individuals and their families in England who need help navigating the NHS Continuing Healthcare process.

Beacon is a registered social enterprise and a proud member of Social Enterprise UK. We operate with a core set of ethical social objectives and values through which all of our work is delivered.

Social enterprises are businesses. Like any other business, they seek to make a profit and succeed commercially. But how they operate, who they employ, how they use their profits and where they work transforms lives and communities across the UK. At Beacon, we donate any surpluses to supporting charitable objectives that are in line with our aims.

Through expert advocacy, advice and training, Beacon enables people to be heard and to enact real and positive change in their lives. We help people to understand their rights and the realistic options available to them, equipping some of those most vulnerable in society with the knowledge and practical support to make meaningful and transformative decisions.

Our Values

At Beacon, we employ people who want to do things differently to other organisations working in this field. Five values sum up our culture and how we treat our clients and our staff:

1. Ethical

Commitment to our clients

We operate with honesty and integrity. We are transparent about our funding set-up and our fees, which we keep as low as we sensibly can. We never ‘hard sell’ our services, we keep you informed at every step, and we always give our honest opinion of your chances of success. As a social enterprise, we donate any profits to charity.

Commitment to our team

We operate with honesty and integrity, and always work hard to get the best results for our clients and the business. We work to high standards, and trust our people to respectfully speak out if we fall short.

1. Expert

Commitment to our clients

We pride ourselves on being recognised as leading independent experts in NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC). We apply our knowledge and experience to help every case and caller. We also strive to improve CHC for everyone, by training health and social care professionals.

Commitment to our team

We are the leading experts in our field. We encourage and value innovation and evolution in what we do, and how we do it. We are united in developing the business and its services.

1. Personal

Commitment to our clients

By listening carefully to you and the people who really know about your care needs, we can provide excellent advice and powerful advocacy tailored to your unique situation.

Commitment to our team

We get results by getting to know our clients. We do the same with our people, offering flexible working options to suit your circumstances, and taking time out to have fun as a team.

1. Compassionate

Commitment to our clients

We are mindful of the immense stress that our callers and clients can be under, at what is often a really tough time. We do our best to lift some of that burden by providing a quality service that you can trust, and by being compassionate and courteous at all times.

Commitment to our team

The nature of the work can be stressful and emotionally draining. We take care and time to look out for each other, and encourage healthy work habits.

1. Rewarding

Commitment to our team

We take the time to celebrate success and are inspired by one another’s achievements. We provide a generous and varied suite of benefits that can be enjoyed by our people and their families. 

Job description

Job Purpose

To manage and develop the home from hospital settle service in the hospitals that you are responsible for, to support timely and successful patient discharges from hospital and prevent re-admissions.  You will work in collaboration with hospital teams and community teams to lead and manage your team to support the smooth transition from hospital to home for service users.  The service works with people for time limited support (usually up to 6 weeks) to adjust and settle back in their homes, and to prevent readmission into hospital. 

Key Tasks

• Work in partnership with the hospitals and other health and social care professionals to coordinate safe and timely discharges for referred clients.  This involves attending meetings with hospital personnel including Discharge Co-ordinators and Ward Managers to discuss discharges and plan who and how individuals will be supported as appropriate. 
• Manage a team working across two hospitals and ensuring the service is available between the contracted hours.
• Work collaboratively with other agencies providing support services.
• Conduct initial assessments of people referred to the services as necessary.
• Plan and develop person centred interventions to provide short term support for people after hospital discharge.
• Work with GPs as appropriate in identifying and supporting patients to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions.
• Work with people with a range of needs, dealing with issues ranging from social isolation and keeping people engaged in their community, to preventing unnecessary admission to hospital.
• Support the hospitals with delayed transfer of care (DTOC).
• Coordinate and monitor the caseload of referrals allocated to team members to ensure a fair and manageable distribution of work.
• Rota planning to ensure staff flexibility and availability, enabling planned rosters that best suit both hospital and patient needs.
• Develop your team which includes; supervision, appraisal, planning of continued professional development opportunities and training needs.
• Conduct regular management audits to ensure a consistent way of working and identify development and training needs in the team or individual.
• Develop and deliver a flexible service that can respond to peaks and troughs in demand.
• Ensure the service is meeting key performance indicators, and identify any concerns e.g. demand for the service exceeding the levels in the contract and taking proactive action to address this.
• Monitor performance of the services against KPIs and produce reports to demonstrate performance.
• Deliver front-line services when needed, e.g. sickness or staff shortages.  This is by exception rather than you regularly doing support work.
• Manage the budget, sign-off expenses, and ensure the project is delivered to budget, liaising with the Finance Department as necessary.
• Support the directorate with generating funding e.g. being actively involved in consultation of possible projects, providing activity data, opportunity spotting, and/or supporting the production of tenders.
• Occasionally provide weekend on call cover for the services you manage, and other hospital settle services provided by AUKEL.

Administration

• Lead on contract reporting, this includes quarterly annual and ad hoc reports
• Carry out annual customer service surveys.
• Maintain electronic records of referrals and interventions to assess service impact, support local improvements, and report on KPIs
• Meet and produce reports as required by the Head of Service.
• Ensure patient records are regularly updated through AUKEL database, and support staff to complete their administration via training etc.
• Work with the Communications team and the Head of Service, market and promote the service.
• Build and circulate a resource pack for the wider AUKEL team to generate referrals between services delivered by the charity.

 Quality

• Be familiar with and implement AUKEL policies and procedures.
• Ensure the service is delivered in accordance with Care Quality Commission principles.
• Ensure a cycle of continuous improvement by taking a “lessons learnt” review approach.
• Ensure that the requirements of the contract specification for the services are met.
• Ensure integration with other AUKEL projects, and service users are referred/sign-posted to appropriate support services available to them.
• Respond to safeguarding or other concerns and take appropriate reporting and management action.
• Lead on recruitment of staff for your team, and support others at AUKEL.

 Liaison

• Represent AUKEL and participate in appropriate external meetings and events and remain aware of local, regional and national issues affecting AUKEL clients.
• Develop external relationships with stakeholders, and build positive connections with health and social care partners
• Attend contract management meetings with commissioners alongside the Head of Hospital and Home Services.

General

• Meet regularly with line manager for support, supervision and appraisal.
• Attend team and staff meetings, (and other meetings) as required.
• Complete any training required to fulfil the post.
• Carry out the duties of the post in accordance with AUKEL’s policies and procedures including Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety, Confidentiality, Complaints, GDPR, Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults, Safeguarding, and Care Quality Commission (CQC) guidelines.
• Other duties which are consistent and commensurate with the responsibilities of the post and the needs and development of the Hospital Home and Settle Service.

 Functional Links

• The Home and Settle Manager is line managed by the Head of Hospital and Home Services
• The Home and Settle Manager line manages:
  • Project Officers
  • Discharge and Settle Workers
  • Volunteers
• Close working is required with Age UK East London Finance Team
• Close working with Information, Advice, Advocacy & Befriending Services
• Handyperson services
• Close working with Age UK East London Community Services
• Close working with other take home and settle services across east London

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience of people management including line management and team leadership.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience of delivering services within a health or care setting at a level reflecting the responsibilities of the post.
• Of project recording and reporting to funders.
• Of leading service development and improvement and managing the change process.

Desirable

• Experience of working with older people
• Experience of working within a hospital discharge setting.
• NVQ Level 2 Health & Social Care or Care Certificate

Knowledge & Understanding

Essential

• Understanding of the impact of discrimination and disadvantage on the lives of people and ability to work in a trauma-informed manner. 
• Understanding of NHS hospital discharge procedures.
• Understanding and commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and their carers. 
• Understand of and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and dignity

Desirable

• Knowledge and understanding of NHS England legislation regarding Avoiding Unplanned Admission Care Plans.
• Knowledge of project financial budgeting
• Knowledge of CQC fundamental standards
• Understanding of impact on the Mental Capacity Act 2005 & Liberty Protection Safeguards 2020 within the hospital setting

Skills/Attributes

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Good planning and organisational skills
• Ability to work calmly under pressure.
• Intermediate IT skills
• Data analysis skills

Desirable

• Ability to speak one or more community languages

Additional Requirements

• This post is subject to the relevant check through the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS)
• Flexibility in working hours to meet organisational needs
• The post holder will work with standard Office365 server-based computer system
• Occasional weekend and evening working may be required