Communication and Working Relationship Skills To work under the direction of the IPP Specialist Placement and Review Manager and will support Devon ICB Learning Disabilities & Autism Partnership (LDAP) Team, to provide expertise, knowledge, and leadership in discharge planning with inpatient teams for those patients that are currently in hospital under the Learning Disability and Autism Programme (LDAP). The post holder is required to work autonomously without direct supervision, be able to use their own initiative to resolve, manage and escalate difficult and unexpected situations as they occur To be able to effectively communicate and negotiate around a wide range of sensitive and complex issues, with a wide range of stakeholders To represent Devon ICB/DPT in facilitation meetings to ensure two-way communication between in and out of area providers to resolve any barriers to transfer Can expect that the post holder will come across organisations with differing priorities who may not have the same opinion as post holder To act in a consultative capacity to all services across Devon and other agencies regarding all aspects of discharge planning. Provide leadership and resolution where there is conflict regarding care and support of service users Contribute to the teams engagement with a wide range of stakeholders including staff, service users, their carers and other statutory and voluntary sector agencies Impart complex and sensitive information to Patients and families/carers re assessment, care planning, treatment and review, multi-disciplinary teams to ensure the provision of consistent well-coordinated care, Primary care teams regarding client care, External agencies also involved in the provision of care e.g. voluntary and private sector, police, social services, housing, employment etc Nurture key relationships and maintain networks internally and externally but always be ready to challenge poor practice to ensure patients receive high quality evidence-based care and treatment Contribute to the safe and effective day to day operations of the service including the handling of clinical enquires Present information some of which may be contentious to patients and their families/carers Deputise for the team manager if required. To be part of the IPP duty rota Analytical and Judgemental Skills To have senior oversight and influence in ensuring that people who have needs related to learning disabilities and autistic spectrum disorder and who require a discharge plan with a funded element, receive the right package of care, at the right time in their own home or an appropriate setting, that is not overly restricted, takes into account the person or their representatives choice and wishes, is of a good quality and is cost effect To participate in Care (Education) & Treatment Reviews (CTRs) and conduct eight-week safe & wellbeing checks / commissioner oversight visits Be influential in and manage a process which ensures that flow in, mental health in-patient settings is not prevented by delayed transfers of care. Where there are delayed transfers of care that every effort is coordinated to ensure a timely discharge to the right setting with the right care and that all blocks to discharge are removed Will provide expertise, knowledge, and leadership in support of care coordinators, lead professionals and MDTs, ensuring that complex individuals receive the most appropriate and least restrictive funded care and support to minimize the risk of re-admission to hospital To undertake only those tasks which you are instructed and trained to do and are competent to fulfil To interpret and work and within the legal framework of the Mental Health Act 1983 and the Care Act 2014 and understand the responsibilities therein and be cognizant with the potential for conflict between primary NHS legislation, for example all age continuing care team Responsibility for navigating funding streams and supporting case managers / Care Coordinators in appropriate applications within the scheme of delegation To maintain confidentiality in respect of the service users at all times To be aware of Health and Safety at Work Act and the implications for the work environment and conditions Planning and Organisational Skills The post holder will be expected to travel across Devon and potentially to Out of Area (OOA) hospitals these may be long distances, requiring overnight stays Develop and maintain relationships with local, independent providers across Devon and nationally who are key partners in this process To offer senior involvement in and regularly chair, multi-disciplinary reviews, where there is a complex discharge plan and /or the potential for delay To have a clear knowledge of funding systems as a whole and oversight of the potential blocks to the flow and throughput of the mental health and learning disability inpatient units. Active involvement in ensuring that blocks to flow are resolved including OOA repatriation To undertake and provide expert guidance on complex assessment of needs, advice on delivery of care, and promote person cantered planning. Provide leadership in challenging practice which is risk averse and encourages dependence and problem solve To offer senior involvement and when required instigate and chair meetings i.e. Risk management and case conference Can expect that the tasks, roles, and responsibilities can be mentally demanding on a daily basis due to the requirement to work to deadlines To be willing to participate actively in appropriate, in-service training programmes which the manager believes to be of benefit to the individual. To assume co-responsibility for maintaining skills and knowledge levels Attend management and professional meetings as directed by their line manager and professional lead Responsible for planning and co-ordinating own day to day work load in collaboration with the needs of the service users and the wider needs of the service Plan and organise case conferences liaising with other agencies as required to meet the needs of their clients Ensure that interventions are planned in an integrated and co-ordinated manner particularly where dependent on other external agencies Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy If during the course of their work, raise any concerns including safeguarding to the relevant authority, ensure stakeholders are aware and care and support teams To provide information and advice to service users and their carers to ensure they are able to live as independently as possible and ensure that reasonable adjustments are made to enhance their understanding To play an active role in repatriation of people where clinically appropriate back into area. Liaising with out of area provider and in area provider to ensure smooth transfer of care To establish appropriate links to local authority housing leads to maximise opportunity for in area housing solutions Can expect to work with service users and carers who are vulnerable to risk and experience difficulties Can expect to experience conflicting demands related to the changing needs of service users Can expect to work with people who use services who present with challenging and risky behaviours, due to their individual circumstances i.e., severe and enduring mental health issues, learning disabilities and/or physical health needs, may place emotional demands Develop effective relationships based on a non-judgmental approach which, allows for support and advice on a wide range of lifestyle choices and support needs To keep accurate records, input accurate data and e.g. that a review is due or overdue Ensure all public and service user and family contact is of the highest professional standard Uphold organisational polices and principles on the promotion of equality The post holder will need a comprehensive understanding of safe guarding process and raise concerns where appropriate Report incidents through the Trusts RMS system and to Devon ICB Responsibility for Policy and Service Development Implementation Participate in programmes of audit and research within the team and implement the findings, where required Contribute to professional clinical governance arrangements in order to ensure the quality of the service provided Participate in the development of Mental Health Services Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources Responsible for care of own equipment Where appropriate handles or processes cash or patients valuables Responsibility for Human Resources, e.g. Supervision, Training, HR Advice and Management Periodically co-ordinate the activity of the team and facilitate handover meetings Mentor students allocated to the team Take a clinical lead in the absence of the team leader. Responsibility for Information Resources and Administrative Duties Maintain up to date client records in a timely and accurate manner Responsibility for Research and Development To provide systematic information about the needs of people with complex needs including those requiring secure accommodation, identifying gaps in service provision in order to enable planning for future local resources Freedom to Act Responsible for managing own workload and act as named care coordinator To represent the Trust and work independently with visiting OOA hospitals To co-ordinate the handover of patients between services in a timely and safe manner Any Other Specific Tasks Required Ensure that statutory training associated with the post is undertaken in a timely way. To take responsibility for own development to ensure the highest clinical practice Participate in own clinical supervision and PDR. Professional Duties - as per full Job Description