Care Brokerage Officer

Main job purpose

1. Working under the Direction of the Team Leader to provide a central brokerage service to
source value for money, high quality care home places and domiciliary packages for all adult
services client groups.
2. Act as a micro-commissioner eg. carry out negotiations with care home providers in relation to
fee rates for individual packages of care at value for money rates.
3. Provide full management and supervisory support to 3 Brokerage Assistants.
4. To drive efficiencies and contribute to overall savings in the Health Care budget through a
combination of working closely with key stakeholders to ensure more effective use of private,
community and third sector provision; and improved value for money by negotiating care and
support packages and placements within prescribed timeframes, budget and quality.
5. To monitor and report on provider quality and performance including block contracts and make
recommendations for improvements.
6. To support the ongoing development of systems and processes which improve the
performance and business processes of the Brokerage service

Person Specification

Job Ref : SS 464
1. EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
• 5 GCSE’s/O’Levels – Grade C or above, or equivalent including Maths and English
Desirable (Ranked in overall order of importance)
• Educated to an ‘A’ level standard or equivalent
• Health and Social care related qualification (ie NVQ)
• Financial qualification (ie AAT)
• Management qualification
Source of criteria evidence (e.g. applications, references, interview & other)
• Interview
• References
2. KNOWLEDGE
Essential
• Knowledge of a range of IT systems and their use
• Awareness of service requirements and developments regarding Older People, people
with a learning disability, mental Health needs and or physical disability
• Awareness of the principles underpinning the County Council’s constitution, financial
regulations and contract procedure regulations
• Brokerage and negotiation principles
• Knowledge of the local care market
Desirable (ranked in overall order of importance)
• Knowledge of social care legislation including but not limited to the Care Act 2014 and
how it relates to commissioning activities
• Knowledge in relation to the regulatory framework for social care services including
the role of the Commission for Social Care Inspection and the Health Care
Commission
• Knowledge of a range of IT systems and their use
Source of criteria evidence (e.g. applications, references, interview & other)
• Application form
• Interview
• References
3. EXPERIENCE
Essential
• Experience of managing social care placements
• Experience of working with providers
• Experience of working with and manipulating financial data
• Involvement in contract negotiation processes
• Experience of working within a pressured environment with changing priorities and tight
deadlines
• A proven record of managing a variety of administrative roles within an office
Environment
Desirable (ranked in overall order of importance)
• Experience of negotiating packages of care
• Experience of working within a social care setting
• Relevant experience in a contracting or purchasing function
• Experience of working within a customer care environment
Source of criteria evidence (e.g. applications, references, interview & other)
• Application form
• Interview
• References
4. KEY SKILLS
Essential
• Financial analysis skills
• Negotiation skills
• ICT skills including accurate keyboard skills
• Verbal and written communication skills
• Organisational skills
• Time Management Skills
• Ability to build effective, positive working relationships with both internal and external
stakeholders in sometimes challenging circumstances
• Ability to challenge decisions
• Ability to manage workload and prioritisation of team workload
Desirable (ranked in overall order of importance)
• Analytical skills
Source of criteria evidence (e.g. applications, references, interview & other)
• Application form
• Interview
• References
5. OTHER FACTORS
Essential
• Ability to fulfil the travel requirements of the post
Source of criteria evidence (e.g. applications, references, interview & other)
• Interview