Brokerage Officer Gr G

Brokerage Officer
Permanent role, based in Kingston
Grade G
Role purpose
The Council is focused on delivering the best possible outcomes for its communities. To do this the Council needs employees who thrive in an agile and networked organisation and who can support continuous improvement within a constructive organisational culture.
The role reports directly to the Senior Broker.
The role is responsible for securing and setting up packages of care and support from within the local marketplace for adults with assessed care needs. This team are also responsible for any contracting activities required as a result of the commissioning process, generating the appropriate contract, Service Level Agreement and requisition, and overseeing payments for services and authorising expenditure. In addition, this role provides advice, guidance and source services for self funders as a paid service. Payments for services are the responsibility of the service user or their carer.
Key activities
Performance
? Works with manager and colleagues to define outcomes, set targets and monitor performance, within a culture of continual improvement
? Supports operational plans to ensure that the resources within the teams are used to best effect and impact
Customers and Partners
? Builds strong internal and external working partnerships to enable the service to be delivered in an outcome-focused and efficient way
? Supports Kingston’s commitment to community cohesion and valuing diversity and social inclusion
Digital/New Ways of Working
? Uses new technologies, particularly Google, to adopt modern, agile working practices, improve customer service and eliminate paper-based processes wherever possible.
Delivery
? Technical brokerage specialist, aligned to a designated portfolio of services (LD, MH & Day Care Services, PD & PD). Act as the primary interface between providers and the Council for sourcing services based on the aspirations and needs of the service user
? Ensure packages of care and support are set up that can meet the aspirations and needs for the Service User, through call-off processes from established framework agreements, commissioned services, spot purchasing, and direct negotiation (as appropriate).
? Provide advice, guidance and sourcing services for self funders as a paid service
? Lead negotiations with providers in accordance with guidance given by the Partnership, Strategy and Transformation team, Commercial team and Brokerage Lead and agree any variations to fees and payment arrangements. Ensure placement and package costs are within agreed rates, alongside securing value for money and a high standard service for service users and the Council
? Work with ASC Operational teams, and relevant professionals, to prioritise and monitor cases that have been approved and broker services in a timely and effective fashion, accurately reflecting the requirements of the Care Plan. Ensure all relevant processionals are kept informed of progress for sourcing services.
? Where appropriate, liaise with service users and their families to discuss and prioritise requirements to inform sourcing approach, to keep them informed of progress and to finalise arrangements for care arrangements to commence, change or terminate
? Resolve supplier queries and where required, support onwards referral and handover to the appropriate team
? Ensure contracts and Service Level Agreements are signed, returned and implemented appropriately
? Maintain detailed records and systems for monitoring vacancies, allocations and placements across ASC to ensure utilisation and costs effectiveness is achieved
? Develop and maintain good working relationships with service providers
? Support, monitor and enforce sector wide service performance improvement and transparency
? Support any necessary action required to manage suspensions or provider failure that will impact service delivery
? Maintain up-to-date knowledge of services, service providers, market demands and any relevant regulations or good practise
Equality and Diversity
? Embeds equity, equality, fairness and diversity into all aspects of team working and service delivery
The person
In order to successfully deliver the responsibilities of the role, you will need to:
? Question and challenge ways of working, with an understanding of the bigger picture in terms of the corporate context and external environment
? Demonstrate agility and adaptability in mindset and ways of working
? Work successfully with key stakeholders within and outside of the Council
? Demonstrate commitment to own personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the role
? Demonstrate innovation and creativity
? Actively engage in positive cross organisational communications and team working
? Communicate clearly, confidently and appropriately with colleagues using the best methods of communication for the task
? Knowledge of client groups and care markets
? Negotiation and influencing skills
? Experien