IDH Care Act Assessor

Job Overview
The Discharge Hub at County Hospital, Stafford are currently inviting applications for a permanent Discharge Care Act Assessor post.

We would love to hear from you if you

• Prioritise the safety of patients and colleagues
• Ensure the patient is always at the centre of any care planning
• Provide quality assessments or willing to undertake training
• Listen and take on board concerns and worries from patients and families, undertaking sensitive conversations especially during these unprecedented times.
• Demonstrate empathy and understanding for individuals and their circumstances
• Provide a calm and reassuring presence for patients, families, the acute teams and within the Discharge Team
• Able to liaise with external agencies to support seamless discharge into a variety of settings
• Embrace new models of working and change needed to accommodate this
• Promote patient choice and work co-productively to achieve good outcomes
• Are dependable under extremely pressured conditions, retaining a positive attitude and willingness to make a difference

This is a patient facing role, Discharge Care Act Assessors are required to meet with patients on the wards with occasional travel across the Staffordshire footprint as needed.
Experience with patients/service users particularly the elderly frail in either acute, community or social care would be an advantage.
Aiming to shortlist on the 6th Nov and interview on the 10th Nov 2025

Main duties of the job

The post will involve assessing and evaluating patient progress, providing guidance and advice in regards to optimum discharge pathways that improve patient journeys. You will be responsible for creating initial discharge plans including the Discharge to Assess process in line with the Care Act 2014 principals and DOH guidelines and recommendations. Full training given – this post could be an excellent opportunity for anyone with the right aptitude and willingness to learn with an awareness and experience of working with the older person.

Working for our organisation

Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.

We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.

We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.

We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications
Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.
Job Purpose
Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• The post holder will be part of the Unplanned Care portfolio working in both an acute hospital setting and a Multi-disciplinary Hub setting.
• The post holder will provide Social Care input into the MDT discussion around each and every patient triaged for hospital discharge.
• The post may be required travel to cross cover at all acute sites and at the triage base.
• The post will be providing a 7 day a week service operating flexible working hours.
• This is a dynamic post that requires the post holder to work closely with multi-disciplinary teams/agencies in addressing a range of care/support issues, supporting the prevention of unnecessary hospital admissions, promoting independence and improving the health and wellbeing of the population served.
• This post holder will manage complex referrals from a range of disciplines including Physicians, Social referrals and end of life care providers.
• The post holder works without direct supervision and sometimes within the scope of practice and in accordance with their own competence.
• The post holder will be required to manage complex and often challenging conversations with professionals, individuals and families
• The post holder will be required to carry out a range of comprehensive assessments of need, under the supervision of the Team Leader and within the Trust policy and procedures.
• The post holder will be required to consider a range of solutions to meet the needs of the individual within the principles of self-directed support and safeguarding.
• The post holder will be required to develop and implement outcome focussed care plans, where required
• The post holder will be required to ensure that all Care Packages are costed effectively and in accordance with Trust guidelines and current Charging Policies.

The post holder will be required to liaise with partner agencies to identify alternative funding sources.

• The post holder will be required to participate in regular supervision and consultation with the Team Leader and Social Care Professional Lead and to ensure that the Team Leader is made aware of all issues of major importance or concern.
• The post holder will be required to be aware of current best practice and policy as it relates to social care.
• The post holder will be required to ensure that any suspected abuse of a vulnerable adult is reported in accordance with the Adult Protection Policy and Procedure.
• The post holder will be required to promote awareness of the Adult Protection Policy and the Mental Capacity Act.
• The post holder will be required to ensure that information is shared where necessary and in accordance with legal requirements.
• The post holder will be required to work to clearly defined policies and guidelines with support from the Team Leader.

For further information please contact Marie Corrado on ext 2831 or Please be aware if we receive a high number of applicants we may shorten the vacancy date.

Person specification

Experience
Essential criteria

• Good communication

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working with the older person

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Good understanding of the Care Act Principles

Desirable criteria

• Previous care act assessing experience