Job Description
2 - 3 Month Contract With A Local Authority
Job Purpose
The Reviewing Officer plays a vital role within Adult Social Care hospital teams, ensuring timely, safe, and person-centred transitions for individuals from hospital to their home or alternative care settings. The role focuses on assessment, review, care planning, and coordination to reduce delayed discharges, promote independence, and ensure individuals receive appropriate support based on their needs, preferences, and legal entitlements.
Key Responsibilities
* Undertake comprehensive assessments and reviews of individuals’ social care needs during hospital admission and at key points throughout their stay.
* Assess physical health, mental health, cognitive functioning, daily living skills, social circumstances, and informal support networks.
* Apply professional judgement to determine eligibility for services in line with the Care Act 2014.
* Develop and review personalised, outcome-focused care and support plans in partnership with individuals, families, carers, and professionals.
* Identify and coordinate appropriate care options, including home care, reablement, residential or nursing care, and rehabilitation services.
* Ensure care plans promote independence, choice, dignity, and wellbeing.
* Lead or contribute to multi-disciplinary discharge planning meetings to support safe and timely hospital discharge.
* Coordinate arrangements for care packages, community services, equipment, and home adaptations.
* Work proactively to prevent delayed transfers of care and avoid unnecessary hospital stays.
* Identify safeguarding concerns and take appropriate action in line with local safeguarding procedures and statutory guidance.
* Work closely with adult safeguarding teams, health professionals, and partner agencies to protect individuals at risk of abuse or neglect.
* Act as an advocate for individuals, ensuring their views, wishes, and preferred outcomes are central to decision-making.
* Support individuals and families to understand assessment processes, care options, and their rights within the social care system.
* Build and maintain effective working relationships with hospital staff, community health services, local authority teams, and third-sector organisations.
* Promote integrated working to ensure seamless transitions between hospital and community-based care.
* Identify, assess, and manage risks associated with discharge, including falls, re-admission, carer breakdown, or inadequate support.
* Implement risk management strategies while balancing safety with positive risk-taking and individual choice.
* Maintain accurate, timely, and legally compliant records in line with organisational policies and data protection requirements.
* Ensure all work complies with relevant legislation, policy, and best practice guidance.
Essential Requirements
* Relevant qualification in Health, Social Care, Social Work, or a related discipline, or demonstrable equivalent experience within adult social care.
* Proven experience working within Adult Social Care, hospital discharge, or an integrated health and social care setting.
* Experience of undertaking assessments, reviews, and care planning for adults with complex needs.
* Sound working knowledge of relevant legislation, including:
o Care Act 2014
o Mental Capacity Act and Best Interest decision-making
o Adult safeguarding principles and procedures
* Understanding of hospital discharge pathways, reablement, and community-based support services.
* Strong assessment and analytical skills, with the ability to make proportionate, evidence-based decisions.
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain complex information clearly to individuals and families.
* Ability to work effectively within multi-disciplinary teams and across organisational boundaries.
* Effective risk assessment and risk management skills, balancing safety with individual choice and independence.
* Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritise and manage a varied caseload in a fast-paced environment.
* Ability to respond calmly and professionally to crisis situations and changing priorities.
* Demonstrates empathy, compassion, and a commitment to person-centred, strengths-based practice.
* Resilient, adaptable, and able to work under pressure.
* Professional, ethical, and accountable in practice.
* Competent in the use of IT systems for case recording, reporting, and communication.
* Ability to maintain accurate, timely, and legally compliant records.