Overview:
Sheffield Mind is looking for a motivated Support Plan Coordinator with a background that demonstrates a sound understanding of person-centred approaches and fantastic administration skills.
You will support clients to manage their direct payment budgets, arranging for payments to be made to suppliers, PAs and other associated parties according to their individual support plans. You will liaise with Sheffield City Council commissioning and audit teams to ensure the process is coordinated effectively.
Personal budgets and direct payments - Social care and support guide - NHS This is a hybrid role with a great degree of flexibility, occasionally requiring visits to clients, meetings at Sheffield Mind and other locations as required. Own transport is preferred but not a requirement for the successful candidate.
Working Hours:
22.2-29.6 hours per week (Mon – Fri)
Contract: Maternity Cover
Job Purpose:
The Support Plan Coordinator supports service users to exercise choice and control in planning how they will use their Direct Payments, by providing them with clear advice and information and / or helping them to arrange services so that they manage their direct payments effectively.
You will work closely with Sheffield Mind’s finance team and liaise regularly Sheffield City Council’s direct payments team, to enable effective monitoring of direct payments usage - ensuring compliance with national guidance, Sheffield City Council’s direct payments policy and procedures and the principles of personalisation.
Supported by the Finance Assistant, you will complete regular payments to support providers on behalf of servicer users ensuring that these are made in a timely, efficient and accurate manner and collate all relevant financial documentation to verify payments.
You will manage payroll for personal assistants on behalf of clients, working with the third-party payroll provider to ensure payments are made in a timely and accurate manner and advise on other associated matters.
You will financially monitor and reconcile the accounts and service user returns of direct payment recipients, to ensure funds are used appropriately. You will also be required to flag up any concerns about the way that funds are utilised, by providing Sheffield Mind’s Senior Finance Manager with accurate, relevant and timely information.
Sheffield Mind is committed to investing in and developing our workforce. The successful candidates will receive:
1. Sheffield Mind’s core training for new staff.
2. Access to an Employee Assistance Programme
3. Contribution to a workplace Pension Scheme.
The successful applicant will receive ongoing support and regular supervision from their line manager, the Senior Finance Manager together with day-to-day support provided by the Finance assistant and Sheffield Mind colleagues.
The Support Plan Coordinator links with a variety of key stakeholders including:
· Sheffield City Council Adult and Child Social Care Teams, Commissioners and Audit Teams
· Clients, family members and carers
· Support provider organisations (e.g., respite providers, personal care providers, cleaning companies)
· Voluntary sector providers
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
· To support individuals to access and implement care and support within their ‘personal budget’, to maximise their independence, meet their identified outcomes and promote their wellbeing
· To attend client review meetings and accurately record details of the meetings immediately on the appropriate systems, ensuring that any identified issues or risks are followed up with the appropriate person
· To manage new referrals, set up new accounts, process relevant paperwork and where required, meet with new clients.
· To undertake a review of all cases every 3 months, following up with those service users / Social Care Teams who have not submitted relevant information (e.g., Referral Form, F8, Budget Management Agreement, Support Plans)
· Through ongoing personal development, maintain theoretical knowledge appropriate to the aims of the organisation and to the delivery of the direct payment programme.
· Develop awareness of health and social care issues attending appropriate meetings as required
· To provide information, advice and support to direct payment service users, care coordinators Team Managers, and others.
· To purchase items and services on behalf of clients and liaise with suppliers, as necessary. · To work with the finance team to provide funds for clients through bank transfers, cheques, and cash when necessary.
· To provide phone support to clients and providers about the service and ensure enquiries are deal with in an efficient and timely manner
· To liaise with Sheffield City Council and other third-party organisations involved in client care
· To manage the collection of client social care contributions.
· To manage the renewal of accounts.
· To ensure that client records are maintained in line with Sheffield Mind’s policies.
· To promote the service to potential users and referrers.
· To alert the senior finance manager to any failures in the direct payment process and where required, work with social work managers to assist in bringing about necessary improvements.
· To build relationships with service users to so that they are confident in contacting the direct payments team.
· To be responsible for ensuring that a high-quality service is delivered.
Monitoring
· Develop, implement / maintain satisfactory monitoring systems, for instance customer satisfaction surveys.
· Develop, use / maintain internal database system to prepare regular monitoring reports.
· Participate in service evaluation and development.
Service Development
· Keep systems and processes under constant review, identifying and implementing improvements where possible and developing best practice.
· Assist in the research and implementation of developing this service in new geographical and service areas.
Other Tasks
· Actively participate in supervision with the Senior Finance Manager.
· Demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development
· Work to Sheffield Mind policies and procedures
· Actively promote and ensure good equal opportunities practice and work in an anti-oppressive manner
· Maintain confidentiality in accordance with Sheffield Mind policies
· Support and contribute to the charitable and fundraising work of Sheffield Mind, as appropriate
· Carry out such other tasks as are required to meet the aims and objectives of the organisation and contribute to the smooth running of the service.
Person specification:
1. Experience of coordinating a project or activity - Essential
2. Experience in working with people with mental health difficulties - Desirable
3. Experience in following processes and adhering to administration procedures - Essential
4. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal- Essential
5. Ability to pay attention to detail - Essential
6. Ability to use a wide range of IT packages - Desirable
7. Ability to implement and use monitoring and evaluation, to produce accurate reports - Essential
8. Highly organised and able to work efficiently, effectively, methodically - Essential
9. An understanding of mental health difficulties and challenges - Desirable
10. An understanding of equal opportunities issues - Desirable
11. Awareness of data protection and confidentiality issues - Desirable
Please Note: Recruited staff are required to evidence that they have worked in accordance with the person specification and job description to successfully pass their probationary period and as part of the annual appraisal process.
Responsible to: Senior Finance Manager
Pay: £28,346.00 per year
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Sheffield S11 8AL
