Total 4 job vacancies by Alternative Futures Group

Alternative Futures Group is the North West’s largest Mental Health and Learning Disability charity.

With a strong track record over 30 years, we work locally in the community and through our Treatment and Recovery Centres to provide a wide range of innovative and bespoke care services.

We have a vision to create a world where people control their lives. Here at AFG, we pride ourselves on helping the people we support to design, develop and ‘own’ the support they receive by planning this with them; we support people to make informed choices and increase their own independence; and we support people to maintain their own health, wellbeing and living environment. These principles are really important to us.

As a ‘values based’ employer, the people that work for us genuinely care about the people they support, and we are seeking likeminded people to join our AFG family. If you are passionate about working in Health and Social Care and have a real desire to make a positive difference to the lives of the people we support then we would love to hear from you.

At AFG we also recognise the contribution and value that our staff make. We would not be able to provide the life changing support that we do without people like you!

In return for your contribution we will support you throughout your career and we provide a wide range of employee benefits, career development and lifestyle support services to ensure that you too feel supported, fulfilled and valued from day one of your employment with us.

Job Purpose

As the Housing Relationship Manager at Alternative Futures Group, you will be responsible for holding the key account relationships with external housing providers that we work in partnership with.

You will need to be a proactive and tenacious person with experience in the housing and social care sector and have a passion to make a difference in the lives of adults with Learning Disabilities and/or Mental Health needs.

Within the role you will ensure that any issues relating to property standards, repairs and cyclical works are escalated appropriately and a resolution is reached.

You will ensure that Service Level Agreements (SLA’s) are adhered to, and any concerns are escalated. You will also manage and monitor systems to ensure compliance of any actions in relation to properties. Understanding of issues arising

The role holder will be a visible presence in the properties as and when required, thus ensuring full understanding of issues arising.

Principal Accountabilities

1. Design and Oversight:
   • Accountable for the design and oversight of high-quality, evidence-based housing standard monitoring systems.
2. Data Collection and Reporting:
   • Develop data collection approaches and systems to gather, analyse, and interpret housing data.
   • Report statistics and trends to the leadership teams for informed decision-making.
3. Service Improvement:
   • Through positive relationships and housing standard knowledge drive improvements in the standard and quality of properties within AFG.
4. Staff Development:
   • Coach staff teams on minimal housing standards expected, and how to appropriately challenge when the standard falls below this.
5. Promotion of High Standard Culture:
   • Work alongside operational team to promote a culture of expecting high standards of housing provision for the people we support in their homes.
6. Relationships and Referral Processes:
   • Develop and maintain strong effective relationships with Housing Associations and where required Social Services, Commissioners, and external professionals and organisations to ensure efficient service delivery.
7. Risk Management and Quality Assurance:
   • Ensure effective risk assessments and risk management plans are implemented, collaborating with operational teams to minimise potential risks.
   • Raise serious risk management issues and participate in developing action plans.
8. Quality of Experience and Citizenship:
   • Improve the overall quality of experience for supported individuals, emphasising personalisation, citizenship, and maximum control over their lives.
9. Engagement and Involvement:
   • Foster a culture of meaningful engagement and involvement of supported individuals, families, and significant others.
10. Regulatory Compliance and Feedback:
    • Ensure compliance with external regulatory standards, gather feedback for service improvement, and determine priorities in line with expertise.
11. Performance Reporting and Prioritization:
    • Report on performance issues against key performance indicators, prioritising workload according to local demand.
12. Management Information Systems:
    • Maintain efficient management information systems, ensuring timely and accurate provision of information.

Person Specification - Essential Requirements:

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years' experience in a leadership role in the housing and/or health and social care sector.
• Experience and familiarity with housing laws, regulations, and Service Level Agreements
• Experience in monitoring, auditing, and reporting on housing related matters.
• Proven track record of resolving housing and property related queries.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Excellent IT skills and use of Microsoft applications
• Proven ability to enhance performance and generate solutions for improvement.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of delivering varied communications to diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to interact with people supported, landlords, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to mediate disputes and find solutions that benefit all parties.
• Understanding and empathy towards tenants’ needs and challenges.
• Managing housing related matters, complaints, and administrative tasks efficiently.
• Negotiating rent levels and resolving conflicts

Qualifications & Training:

• A degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant housing or health or social care discipline.

Other:

• Clean current driving license and access to own vehicle for occasional travel as part of the role.

This role is Band III as per our structure.

Alternative Futures Group is the North West’s largest Mental Health and Learning Disability charity.

With a strong track record over 30 years, we work locally in the community and through our Treatment and Recovery Centres to provide a wide range of innovative and bespoke care services.

We have a vision to create a world where people control their lives. Here at AFG, we pride ourselves on helping the people we support to design, develop and ‘own’ the support they receive by planning this with them; we support people to make informed choices and increase their own independence; and we support people to maintain their own health, wellbeing and living environment. These principles are really important to us.

As a ‘values based’ employer, the people that work for us genuinely care about the people they support, and we are seeking likeminded people to join our AFG family. If you are passionate about working in Health and Social Care and have a real desire to make a positive difference to the lives of the people we support then we would love to hear from you.

At AFG we also recognise the contribution and value that our staff make. We would not be able to provide the life changing support that we do without people like you!

In return for your contribution we will support you throughout your career and we provide a wide range of employee benefits, career development and lifestyle support services to ensure that you too feel supported, fulfilled and valued from day one of your employment with us.

Job Purpose

The role holder will report directly to the Head of Estates whilst working closely with the Facilities Manager and the wider team, as well as operational colleagues.

The role holder will be responsible for the delivery of specific ad hoc estates projects, whilst also providing support to the wider Estates team in the delivery of business-as-usual activity to ensure the development of an estate that delivers outstanding outcomes for the people we support, ensuring the portfolio is managed safely, cost effectively and in accordance with statutory and regulatory requirements.

This role requires an individual with strong project management capability within an estate’s environment, with a demonstrable track record of delivery of projects on time, to Budget and to the requisite level of quality.

Reporting directly to the Head of Estates, the role holder will:

• Lead the estates input in the expansion of the existing property footprint.
• Onboard new additions to the estate’s property portfolio efficiently and effectively.
• Work collaboratively with operational colleagues ensuring “best outcomes” are delivered for the people we support in the development and maintenance of the estate.
• Support the wider estates team in the delivery of business-as-usual activities.
• Be visible and on site to ensure the smooth running of projects and the timely resolution of issues.

Dimensions

Whilst the role currently has no direct reports assigned, the level of project activity and the consequential resource requirements will determine any additional staffing needs. The nature of individual projects will determine this although it is anticipated that project spend will be circa £0.5m+ per annum.

Principal Accountabilities

Estates and Facilities Management

• Responsibility: Act as the senior estates and facilities professional on project work assigned.

• Project Plans: Ensure there is a clear and documented estates plan for each project assigned and lead the implementation of these plans to ensure best possible outcomes for the people we support. In the planning and delivery of projects, the role holder must ensure that due consideration is given to operational requirements.

• Project Performance: Ensure a robust contract performance management framework is in place for each project.

• Regulatory: Ensure all project work is undertaken in accordance with applicable regulatory and statutory requirements.

• Resource Management: Manage and co-ordinate both AFG staff and external contractors in the delivery of projects. Where required mitigating actions/plans may need to be taken to ensure that projects are delivered to requirements.

• Onboarding: With support from the Head of Estates, lead the estates input re. property acquisition (both support with the identification of appropriate property and subsequent due diligence).

• Expansion: With support from the Head of Estates, lead the estates input re. the expansion of existing estates footprint.

• Business Cases: Prepare business cases, feasibility studies for consideration by the Head of Estates and onwards by the Executive/Director team.

• Business as Usual Estates Activity: The role holder will be required to work alongside the Estates Manager and the wider estates team in the delivery of business-as-usual estates activity (including site visits, contract monitoring meetings, supervision of reactive repairs etc.), where project requirements mean the role holder has capacity to undertake this work.

Financial Management

• Financial Performance: Manage project related budgets, ensuring projects are delivered to Budget, to the requisite quality and to time.

• Procurement: Work closely with the Procurement team to source potential suppliers for services and ensure those services are sourced on a “Value for money” (VFM) basis, and in accordance with the terms of the Scheme of Reservation and Delegation.

• Tenders: Working closely with the Procurement function of the Charity, take the estates lead in tender activity where assigned, ensuring that activity is undertaken in accordance with the Scheme of Reservation and Delegation.

• Cost Reduction/Service Improvement: Lead in ensuring we are continually striving to reduce cost/improve service provision.

• Commercial Acumen: Commercially savvy to drive continuous improvement opportunities (both financial and operational).

Sustainability, Efficiency, and Innovation

• Estates Development: Ensure development activity within the estate takes account of environmental considerations/technological advances in the go-forward design.

Person Specification - Essential Requirements:

Skills and Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of current and forthcoming regulatory and statutory requirements.
• Skilled and experienced negotiator to ensure “best value” is derived from commercial contracts.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent presentation skills.
• Able to build strong relationships with key stakeholders and to work collaboratively with others.
• Strong people management skills.
• Ability to work under pressure, dealing with multiple competing priorities across a changing landscape.
• Excellent working knowledge of Office 365 products.
• Takes the initiative, able to work at pace without supervision.
• Ability to analyse, interpret and resolve estate management problems, and to develop and implement practical solutions.
• Strong attention to detail and a critical eye.
• Able to develop a robust control framework re. project delivery.
• Commercially astute enabling cost reduction/service optimisation.

Values and Attitudes

• Solution focused with a “can do” attitude.
• “Change agent”, comfortable challenging the status quo.
• Comfortable and skilled operating at both the macro and micro level.
• Comfortable working independently but also as part of a team.
• Accurate and methodical in approach to work.
• “Value for money” mentality.

Experience

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in an estate’s management/estates project management role.
• Experience of working in an environment delivering both planned and reactive maintenance and delivery of capital projects.
• Proven track record of capex project delivery (cost, time, scope).
• Experience of managing complex estates projects (resource, finances, scope).
• Experienced in managing contractors and sub-contractors including conflict resolution.
• Experience in both the development of and management of financial Budgets and Reforecasts.
• Experience in undertaking property related “due diligence”.
• Experienced in the preparation and presentation of business cases for consideration by the Head of Estates.
• Experience of working with a Computer Aided Facility Management (CAFM) system.
• Able to develop frameworks to understand a problem, identify practical options to solve the problem, and identify the most optimal solution.

Qualifications & Training

• Level 3 Facilities Management qualification.
• GCSE Maths and English

Other

• Full driving license.
• On occasion emergency contact for the properties and therefore may need to attend out of hours.

This role is Band II as per our structure

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Alternative Futures Group is the North West’s largest Mental Health and Learning Disability charity.

With a strong track record over 30 years, we work locally in the community and through our Treatment and Recovery Centres to provide a wide range of innovative and bespoke care services.

We have a vision to create a world where people control their lives. Here at AFG, we pride ourselves on helping the people we support to design, develop and ‘own’ the support they receive by planning this with them; we support people to make informed choices and increase their own independence; and we support people to maintain their own health, wellbeing and living environment. These principles are really important to us.

As a ‘values based’ employer, the people that work for us genuinely care about the people they support, and we are seeking likeminded people to join our AFG family. If you are passionate about working in Health and Social Care and have a real desire to make a positive difference to the lives of the people we support then we would love to hear from you.

At AFG we also recognise the contribution and value that our staff make. We would not be able to provide the life changing support that we do without people like you!

In return for your contribution we will support you throughout your career and we provide a wide range of employee benefits, career development and lifestyle support services to ensure that you too feel supported, fulfilled and valued from day one of your employment with us.

Job Title: Service Development Manager - Mental Health

Reports to: Director of Operations - Independent Hospitals

Job Purpose

The purpose of the role is to lead the development and rollout of services across the organisation.

Developing new, high-quality services as well as promoting the continuous improvement of existing services. The role will develop a strategic approach to how we engage with healthcare professionals and organisations to improve and increase the services we offer. This will include the continued development of existing services and analysis of the need for further services in local areas.

Principal Accountabilities

• Develop business cases for service development and improvements where identified, responding to unmet needs.
• Deliver effective implementation and rollout of new services, producing operating guidelines and project management tools to assist in the delivery.
• Ensure that the people we support, their families, representatives and all key stakeholders are involved in service development and design where possible.
• Work with the Business Development Team where applicable, to further develop opportunities, providing narrative and support.
• Contribute to the development of plans, including the mapping of opportunities, stakeholders, unmet needs and priorities, including a plan for managing the transition into new areas.
• Ensure any new services development is based on reliable evidence.
• Work with the Heads of Ops to stay abreast of developments in commissioning, key health forums and policy changes which may have an impact on the delivery of services.
• Work with the Communications team to ensure that marketing of services is considered during the development stage.
• Ensure that services are operating and adhering to good information and clinical governance.
• Working with the Director of Quality, ensure that monitoring systems are in place to carry out effective evaluation of services.
• Explore and implement creative and innovative approaches to evaluating services, including an evaluation of impact.
• Ensure key learning from projects and service development is shared across the organisation, presenting findings when appropriate.
• Provide effective support to the Managers, evaluating their role during the development stages of new services.
• Support Area Managers in the delivery of local services and support.
• Support Area Managers with their engagement with healthcare professionals, building good working relationships to understand priorities and work in partnership when delivering local services.
• Identify partnership opportunities with local, regional and national organisations which may contribute to our services, investigating new ways of delivery with potential partners.
• Working with the Director of Quality ensure that our services comply with information governance, data protection, safeguarding and regulatory requirements and that quality assurance mechanisms are in place.
• Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with CQC, Social Services Departments, Commissioners and any other external regulatory body/stakeholders

Person Specification - Essential Requirements:

• 5 years’ experience of developing new services, service redesign or process improvement, and experience of implementation, preferably in multiple locations.
• 3-year experience of delivering training / professional development ideally in a health or related service.
• Introducing innovative ideas that impact on the Organisation’s strategic plan.
• Ability to assess Risk to business and create strategies to minimise and drive business forward.
• Working collaboratively with sector managers as well as support function managers to align and develop business ideas.
• Good understanding of contract lifecycles.
• Strong understanding of commissioning structures.
• 3 years’ experience of working with senior managers to assist in the development of their local business plan – challenging them not to accept the status quo.
• Experience of working with senior managers to develop their business plan implementation strategy, setting stages, KPIs, target dates and identifying resources.
• Using data attained from Market and Competitor Analyst to drive business planning and direction of organisation
• Working knowledge of the commissioning process within Social Care sector.
• Working closely with the tender team to ensure that any activity is aligned to the overall business plan and to local business plans.
• Writing complex reports.
• Strong understanding of the financial as well as operational objectives of each business, and impact on AFG as a whole to deliver.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Knowledge of business development and service improvement processes ideally within the NHS and / or social care sector. The ability to develop services and lead on service design, considering quality standards and best practice within the sector.
• Expertise in designing, costing, delivering and evaluating training / professional development programmes and an understanding / awareness of healthcare professional development requirements.
• Ability to carry out a strategic review of services and introduce new processes to improve the management and delivery of our services, to meet appropriate quality standards.
• Knowledge of impact evaluation and monitoring methods in relation to services supporting people affected by a health condition.
• Able to develop productive and collaborative relationships with healthcare professionals, health and social care organisations and work in partnership.
• Ability to think creatively to develop opportunities to suit local need and develop new ways of working, including innovative solutions.
• Managing multiple tasks and prioritised workload of self and others to match objectives.
• practical problem solving and solving complex problems.
• Ability to cope with pressure and to work to strict deadlines.
• Ability to form and maintain good working relationships with a wide variety of people at all levels including external organisations.

Values and Attitudes:

• Embraces change, viewing it as an opportunity to learn and develop.
• Confident to lead the way - is able to inspire others with their passion and enthusiasm.
• Is solution focused and has a “can do attitude”.
• Is people focused, has strong interpersonal skills and encourages others to speak up.
• Takes personal responsibility and holds others to account.
• Ability to move between details and the bigger picture.
• Ability to work independently and autonomously.
• To be accurate and methodical in approach to work

Qualifications & Training:

• Educated to degree level in a business qualification or equivalent.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Excellent IT skills including Microsoft Office365

This role is home based and involves travel within the north west of England - a driver with the use of a vehicle is therefore required.

This role is Band III as per our structure.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Alternative Futures Group is the North West’s largest Mental Health and Learning Disability charity.

With a strong track record over 30 years, we work locally in the community and through our Treatment and Recovery Centres to provide a wide range of innovative and bespoke care services.

We have a vision to create a world where people control their lives. Here at AFG, we pride ourselves on helping the people we support to design, develop and ‘own’ the support they receive by planning this with them; we support people to make informed choices and increase their own independence; and we support people to maintain their own health, wellbeing and living environment. These principles are really important to us.

As a ‘values based’ employer, the people that work for us genuinely care about the people they support, and we are seeking likeminded people to join our AFG family. If you are passionate about working in Health and Social Care and have a real desire to make a positive difference to the lives of the people we support then we would love to hear from you.

At AFG we also recognise the contribution and value that our staff make. We would not be able to provide the life changing support that we do without people like you!

In return for your contribution we will support you throughout your career and we provide a wide range of employee benefits, career development and lifestyle support services to ensure that you too feel supported, fulfilled and valued from day one of your employment with us.

Job Title: Service Development Manager LD

Reports to: Director of Operations

Job Purpose

The purpose of the role is to lead the development and rollout of services across the organisation.

Developing new, high-quality services as well as promoting the continuous improvement of existing services. The role will develop a strategic approach to how we engage with healthcare professionals and organisations to improve and increase the services we offer. This will include the continued development of existing services and analysis of the need for further services in local areas.

Principal Accountabilities

• Develop business cases for service development and improvements where identified, responding to unmet needs.
• Deliver effective implementation and rollout of new services, producing operating guidelines and project management tools to assist in the delivery.
• Ensure that the people we support, their families, representatives and all key stakeholders are involved in service development and design where possible.
• Work with the Business Development Team where applicable, to further develop opportunities, providing narrative and support.
• Contribute to the development of plans, including the mapping of opportunities, stakeholders, unmet needs and priorities, including a plan for managing the transition into new areas.
• Ensure any new services development is based on reliable evidence.
• Work with the Heads of Operations to stay abreast of developments in commissioning, key health forums and policy changes which may have an impact on the delivery of services.
• Work with the Communications team to ensure that marketing of services is considered during the development stage.
• Ensure that services are operating and adhering to good information and clinical governance.
• Working with the Director of Quality, ensure that monitoring systems are in place to carry out effective evaluation of services.
• Explore and implement creative and innovative approaches to evaluating services, including an evaluation of impact.
• Ensure key learning from projects and service development is shared across the organisation, presenting findings when appropriate.
• Provide effective support to the Managers, evaluating their role during the development stages of new services.
• Support Area Managers in the delivery of local services and support.
• Support Area Managers with their engagement with healthcare professionals, building good working relationships to understand priorities and work in partnership when delivering local services.
• Identify partnership opportunities with local, regional and national organisations which may contribute to our services, investigating new ways of delivery with potential partners.
• Working with the Director of Quality ensure that our services comply with information governance, data protection, safeguarding and regulatory requirements and that quality assurance mechanisms are in place.
• Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with CQC, Social Services Departments, Commissioners, and any other external regulatory body/stakeholders.

Person Specification - Essential Requirements:

Experience:

• 5 years’ experience of developing new services, service redesign or process improvement, and experience of implementation, preferably in multiple locations.
• 3-year experience of delivering training / professional development ideally in a health or related service.
• Introducing innovative ideas that impact on the Organisation’s strategic plan.
• Ability to assess Risk to business and create strategies to minimise and drive business forward.
• Working collaboratively with sector managers as well as support function managers to align and develop business ideas.
• Good understanding of contract lifecycles.
• Strong understanding of commissioning structures.
• 3 years’ experience of working with senior managers to assist in the development of their local business plan – challenging them not to accept the status quo.
• Experience of working with senior managers to develop their business plan implementation strategy, setting stages, KPIs, target dates and identifying resources.
• Using data attained from Market and Competitor Analyst to drive business planning and direction of the organisation
• Working knowledge of the commissioning process within Social Care sector
• Working closely with the tender team to ensure that any activity is aligned to the overall business plan and to local business plans.
• Writing complex reports.
• Strong understanding of the financial as well as operational objectives of each business, and impact on AFG as a whole to deliver.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Working knowledge of the commissioning process within Social Care sector
• Working closely with the tender team to ensure that any activity is aligned to the overall business plan and to local business plans.
• Writing complex reports.
• Strong understanding of the financial as well as operational objectives of each business, and impact on AFG as a whole to deliver.

Values and Attitudes:

• Embraces change, viewing it as an opportunity to learn and develop.
• Confident to lead the way - is able to inspire others with their passion and enthusiasm.
• Is solution focused and has a “can do attitude”.
• Is people focused, has strong interpersonal skills and encourages others to speak up.
• Takes personal responsibility and holds others to account.
• Ability to move between details and the bigger picture.
• Ability to work independently and autonomously.
• To be accurate and methodical in approach to work.

Qualifications & Training:

• Educated to degree level in a business qualification or equivalent.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Excellent IT skills including Microsoft Office365

This role is home based within the north west of England.

This role is Band III as per our structure.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme