Group Referrals & Assessment Manager

Nova Stars Group is a growing specialist health and social care organisation supporting people from age 17 through adulthood, including individuals with mental health needs, learning disabilities, autism and complex support needs. We are looking for an experienced, energetic and commercially aware Group Referrals & Assessment Manager who understands the UK adult social care market and knows how to build strong referral pipelines and convert appropriate enquiries into successful, sustainable placements.

The Role

As our Group Referrals & Assessment Manager, you will take ownership of referrals, assessments, placement conversion and professional relationship development across Nova Stars Group. You will work closely with commissioners, social workers, NHS teams, brokerage teams, case managers, families, Registered Managers and senior leaders to ensure the right people are matched with the right services at the right time. A key measure of success will be driving applicable established services towards and sustainably above 90% occupancy, while always maintaining safe, person-centred and appropriate placement decisions. Role Details

• 3 days per week at our Head Office in Solihull
• 2 days on the road
• Working directly with our Group Director of Business & Partnerships

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the referral journey from first enquiry through assessment, offer, transition, admission and post-placement follow-up.
• Review and triage referrals, assessing needs, risks, funding, compatibility and service suitability.
• Undertake high-quality, person-centred pre-admission assessments across hospitals, mental health units, community settings, family homes and existing placements.
• Build and develop your own referral pipeline and generate new placement opportunities.
• Develop strong relationships with commissioners, brokerage teams, adult social care teams, NHS professionals, hospital discharge teams, ICB contacts, CHC professionals, transition teams and case managers.
• Maintain accurate oversight of vacancies, capacity, referral activity, conversions and expected admissions.
• Work closely with Registered Managers and operational leaders to ensure placements are safe, suitable and sustainable.
• Support the growth and mobilisation of specialist services including forensic, TDDI and physical disability services. What We're Looking For The successful Group Referrals & Assessment Manager will have a minimum of 5 years' experience working in UK health and social care, with substantial experience relevant to adult social care. You will bring experience in referrals, assessments, placements, commissioning, brokerage, care-provider business development or a closely related function, alongside demonstrable experience of converting appropriate referrals into placements. You will also have:
• Experience working with mental health needs, learning disabilities, autism and/or complex support needs.
• A strong understanding of residential care and/or supported living, safeguarding, person-centred care and placement matching.
• Excellent communication, organisation and relationship-building skills.
• Commercial awareness and an understanding of sustainable occupancy.
• Confidence managing multiple priorities and working towards measurable KPIs.
• A full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle.
• Willingness and ability to travel nationwide when required. The Person We are looking for a proactive, credible and results-driven Group Referrals & Assessment Manager who understands that a vacancy is not something to wait on – it is something to work strategically. You will be people-focused and committed to finding the right placement, not simply filling a vacancy. You will be responsive, persistent, confident in professional follow-up and comfortable being accountable for referral, conversion, occupancy and placement outcomes. Working Arrangements & Travel For the first 8 weeks of employment, you will be required to work from Nova Stars Group Head Office to build a detailed understanding of our services, teams, culture and referral pathways. The role is subject to a three-month probationary period. Following successful completion of probation, the normal working arrangement will be a minimum of three days per week at Head Office and up to two days per week working remotely, subject to business requirements. This is a Group-wide role and is not fully remote. Nationwide travel may be required for assessments, service visits and professional meetings. Business mileage is paid in accordance with company policy. Why Join Nova Stars Group?
• Take a visible and influential role in the growth of an ambitious specialist care group.
• Work across residential, supported living and developing specialist services.
• Help shape referral strategy, occupancy performance and future service development.
• Build meaningful professional relationships across health and social care.
• Benefit from hybrid working following successful probation.
• Receive paid business mileage for eligible work-related travel.
• Earn £500 for each qualifying self-generated placement that meets the scheme requirements.
• Make a measurable difference by helping people access services that are right for them. Join Nova Stars Group as our Group Referrals & Assessment Manager and play a key role in connecting the right people with the right support, while helping drive the sustainable growth of our specialist services