Job description
ABOUT UNICAREUnicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd is a nurse-led, CQC-registered provider of supported living and complex care. We support adults with autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, mental health needs and complex behaviours across nine supported living services in Surrey, Sussex, Berkshire and South London. Our community outreach service delivers care to adults and children in their own homes, and our complex care division provides nurse-led and nurse-delegated clinical care under our registration for the treatment of disease, disorder or injury. We employ over 170 people.
We take referrals that other providers decline. That is only a safe commitment if we are rigorous at the front door and disciplined about how a new package is built and embedded.
THE ROLEMost providers separate assessment from mobilisation, and placements fail in the gap between the two. This role closes that gap. You will assess the referral, build the package alongside the Registered Manager, and stay with it until the person has settled and you are satisfied it works and only then sign it off.
You will report to the Clinical Director and work across three phases on every referral.
01 Assessment
Receive and triagenew referrals from local authorities, integrated care boards, hospital discharge teams and other providers, triaging for urgency and suitability against our registration and capability.
Carry outface-to-face assessments wherever the person is in hospital, a current placement, the family home, or a secure or inpatient setting drawing on records, MDT input, behaviour support plans and family perspectives.
Assessthe mental health, autism and ADHD presentation, including behaviours of concern, communication and sensory needs, capacity and consent, and any restrictive practice currently in place. Where the referral carries clinical or nursing needs, assess these too or work with our clinical team to do so.
Produceclear, evidence-based assessment reports setting out the proposed staffing model, skill mix, environmental requirements, clinical input and identified risks.
Givehonest advice on whether Unicare should accept the referral, and recommend that we decline where we cannot meet needs safely.
02 Setting up the package
Work jointlywith the designated Registered Manager to turn your assessment into a working package staffing rota, skill mix, recruitment or redeployment needs, training requirements and the physical environment.
Ensurethe support plan, positive behaviour support plan and risk assessments are in place, personalised and understood by the staff team before the person moves in.
Brief and preparethe staff team on the person who they are, what matters to them, what their behaviour is communicating, and what to do when things go wrong. Commission or deliver bespoke training where the package needs it.
Coordinateany clinical elements with our nursing team, including nurse-delegated tasks, competency sign-off for support staff and the clinical oversight arrangements.
Coordinatethe transition itself, working with the commissioner, family, discharging team and current provider so the move is planned rather than rushed.
03 Settling in and sign-off
Stay involvedactively through the first weeks, visiting in person, observing practice and checking that what was assessed is what is being delivered.
Review and adjustthe package where reality differs from the assessment escalating promptly where staffing, funding or the environment needs to change.
Gather feedback fromthe person, their family and the staff team, and act on what they tell you.
Formally sign off and hand overthe placement to the Registered Manager only when the person has settled, the plan is embedded, risks are being managed and the team is competent and confident.
Feedwhat you learn back into how we assess, price, design and train so each placement makes the next one better.
ABOUT YOUEssential
A registered professional qualification with current registration RMN, RNLD, RGN, Social Worker (Social Work England), Occupational Therapist or Psychologist.
Substantial post-qualifying experience assessing adults with autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, mental health needs or complex behaviours.
Demonstrable skill in structured assessment of need and risk, and in writing assessments that others can act on.
Experience of setting up, mobilising or embedding a care or support package not assessment alone.
Sound working knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, the Care Act 2014, Deprivation of Liberty safeguards and the legal framework around restrictive practice.
Understanding of positive behaviour support and trauma-informed practice, and of what good looks like in supported living.
The credibility to work alongside Registered Managers and staff teams, and the confidence to hold your position with commissioners including when your recommendation is that we decline or that a package is not yet safe to sign off.
Excellent written English your reports are read by commissioners and inform funding decisions.
A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle, with willingness to travel across our operating areas.
Enhanced DBS check (we will arrange this) and the right to work in the UK.
Desirable and a distinct advantage
We would particularly welcome applicants who can also assess complex care packages. If you have experience of assessing for nurse-led or nurse-delegated care in peoples own homes, please say so clearly in your application.
Assessment experience across complex clinical needs such as tracheostomy care, ventilation, enteral or PEG feeding, seizure and rescue medication management, or epilepsy protocols.
Understanding of clinical task delegation, competency assessment and sign-off for healthcare assistants and support workers.
Experience assessing packages for children as well as adults.
Familiarity with local authority and ICB commissioning, brokerage and funding processes, including Continuing Healthcare, All-Age Continuing Care and Section 117 aftercare.
Training in a recognised autism, ADHD or behavioural assessment tool.
Experience of hospital discharge, transforming care or complex transition work.
AMHP, Best Interests Assessor or Approved Clinician status.
WHAT WE OFFEREnd-to-end ownership. You assess it, you build it, you sign it off rather than handing your assessment to someone else and hoping.
Direct access to clinical leadership, without layers of sign-off between you and a decision.
Variety across mental health, autism, ADHD, learning disability and complex clinical care, in four counties and a wide range of settings.
Investment in your professional development, including funded training and support with revalidation and CPD.
Car allowance and mileage at HMRC rates.
[Annual leave entitlement, pension and any additional benefits to be confirmedExtra information
- Status
- Open
- Education Level
- Secondary School
- Location
- South East London
- Type of Contract
- Full-time jobs
- Salary indication
- £50,000 Per Month
- Published at
- 03-09-2026
- Profession type
- Health / Medical
- Full UK/EU driving license preferred
- No
- Car Preferred
- No
- Must be eligible to work in the EU
- No
- Cover Letter Required
- No
- Languages
- English
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