Job overview
Please note: at this stage, the role is open only to colleagues currently employed within Kent and Medway NHS Trusts, the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Medway Community Healthcare. Nursing vacancies are also open to Student Nurses and Newly Qualified Nurses.
The Senior Assessor plays a pivotal role in delivering high-quality, person-centred care within the Home First service.
They provide advanced assessment, complex case management, and operational support, while also guiding and developing colleagues to maintain excellence across the team.
Main duties of the job
1. Advanced Clinical Assessment & Case Management
• Undertake timely, holistic assessments of patients’ functional, medical, and social care needs.
• Lead on complex discharge planning, ensuring safe transitions from acute/community care to home.
2. Supervision, Training & Professional Development
• Provide day-to-day leadership, guidance, and support for Band 4 staff.
• Oversee the training and competency development of Band 5 assessors.
3. Operational Support & Service Delivery
• Assist with rota planning, task allocation, and daily workforce coordination.
• Monitor workloads and escalate service pressures to maintain safe staffing levels.
4. Quality, Safety & Safeguarding
• Ensure accurate and timely documentation in line with CQC standards and organisational policy.
• Recognise and escalate safeguarding concerns, risks, or incidents in line with procedures.
5. Partnership & Communication
• Work collaboratively with patients, families, carers, and professionals across health and social care.
• Act as a point of escalation for colleagues managing complex cases.
6. Service Development & Innovation
• Identify and share opportunities for improving assessment, discharge, and patient flow.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and support the implementation of new models of care.
Working Conditions & Role Demands
• Frequent use of IT systems for documentation, communication, and care planning.
• Exposure to a variety of home environments and unpredictable situations.
Working for our organisation
Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’ve got a passion for delivering high standards of patient care and excellent services to improve the health of our communities. To do this we need outstanding people who share our values compassionate Aspirational Responsive Excellent
We know a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion leads to better patient care and a happier workforce. We pride ourselves in being diverse and welcome applications from people with varied backgrounds, perspectives and experiences
We ask for information about your protected characteristics on our application forms. This isn’t visible to anyone involved with shortlisting or interviewing you, except when you choose to be considered under the guaranteed interview scheme due to disability. Short listers will see two ticks alongside your application to ensure they apply the principles of the scheme to your submission
The data we collect helps us to ensure we are attracting diversity in our applicants, that all our colleagues have equitable access to career opportunities and supports us on our journey to being a Great Place to Work
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want you to be able to work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you. Talk to us about a flexible working arrangement that won’t involve sacrificing time for personal interests or family commitments. We’ll support you to work flexibly in a way that will suits us both
See where you can go with KCHFT
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
As a community Trust, many of our roles require individuals to be able to drive to perform their duties. Where driving is a requirement of the role, you will be asked to confirm that you hold a full UK driving licence or a full driving licence issued by an EU country (not exchanged from a non-EU country) to proceed with your application. We are committed to supporting candidates with disabilities into employment. If you are unable to drive due to a disability, please contact the Recruitment Team quoting the vacancy reference number, so we can support you further.
The job description and person specification gives you all the information you need about this role. Please look carefully at the criteria in the person specification and tell us what you have done that shows you meet this in your application. If you need an application form in an alternative format please let our recruitment team know. All information you supply on your application should, to the best of your knowledge, be true and accurate.
Still have questions? The recruiting manager would love to hear from you, their contact details can be found in the job advert.
We can get a lot of applications for some roles so to be in with the best chance of being shortlisted please make sure you apply as soon as possible. A vacancy may close early if there is a lot of interest in the job.
At KCHFT we strongly encourage colleagues in clinical and non-clinical roles who have direct or social contact with patients to be fully vaccinated. In this way we will be doing all we can to ensure your safety and that of your colleagues and the patients we serve.
Find out more about the community difference Good luck! We can’t wait to meet you and welcome you to #teamKCHFT, #cometocommunity.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Level 3 Diploma in Health & Social Care or equivalent; GCSE English & Maths (Grade C/4 or above); Bachelor’s degree (BA/BSc), NVQ Level 6, or equivalent; Full UK driving licence; Moving & Handling Train the Trainer qualification
Experience
Essential criteria
2. Background in Adult Social Care and or Health Care or previous first line supervisor/line management experience; Experience of supervising staff; Experience of working to contract specifications and delivery to required standards.
Skills & Abilities
Essential criteria
3. Ability to undertake and document formal risk assessments; Ability to accurately assess client needs; Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of staff, People using the service and external contacts as required by the job; Ability to prioritise own workload in line with operational procedures and standards; Ability to monitor effectively others’ work performance
Knowledge
Essential criteria
4. Staff will be expected to work within national legislation and Corporate and Directorate policies and procedures relating to Health & Safety and those applicable to Health; Comprehensive awareness and understanding of the outcomes as set out in the Health & Social Care Act 2008; Awareness of overall policies/procedures of department; Excellent understanding of enablement and how it fits the assessment process; Thorough awareness of legislative framework relating to the provision of enablement and domiciliary services.
Ability to manage
Essential criteria
5. Ability to manage own time effectively; Ability to prioritise care delivery in a professional manner, considering health and social care policies and procedures
Employer certification / accreditation badges