Operational and Improvement Manager - Community Equipment Service

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE

To lead the planning, delivery, and continuous improvement of the Community Equipment Service (CES) and related integrated health and social care services, including the Independent Living Centre and Expert Moving and handling services.

This role supports high-quality, safe, and efficient service delivery in line with strategic priorities for adult social care and NHS, aligned with our Community Equipment Service Specification and Better Care Fund priorities including promotion of strengths based approach that promotes independence and wellbeing and specifically targeting hospital discharge, admission prevention and preventing, reducing and delaying the need for care and support for individuals in their home, through equipment and Technology Enabled Care provision; advice and support.

The postholder will be responsible for overseeing day to day operational oversight of our Community Equipment Service(CES) contract; including proactive problem solving/decision making; multiple improvement projects, resource and risk management and complex stakeholder relationships including equipment prescribers, independent retailers; and equipment service lead contractor to enhance service delivery within financial and regulatory frameworks.

CONTEXT

• The aims from these Devon strategies that the Service should directly help to deliver include:
• People in Devon will be enabled to stay well, safe and independent at home for longer.
• Provide the right care in the right place at the right time, including supporting the safe and timely discharge from hospital to a persons usual place of residence.
• Everyone in Devon who needs end of life care will receive it and be supported to die in their preferred place.
• Creation/continuation of a greener and more environmentally sustainable health and care system in Devon, that tackles climate change and supports healthier living.
• Diverse populations will have equity in outcomes, access and experience.
• People (including unpaid Carers) in Devon will have the support, skills, knowledge and information they need to be confidently involved as equal partners in all aspects of their health and care.

In 2025, we see the start of a new contract term so exciting opportunity to support the smooth transition from one contract to another and to ensure the contract delivers on quality and key performed indictors, as per the new service specification, to meet the needs of our Devon population, in the communities their live their lives, across adults and childrens services, within the financial envelope.

In line with Devon County Councils values and quality vision, the role demands integrity, inclusivity, and a commitment to fostering positive cultural and operational change. The postholder is expected to promote diversity, uphold safetystandards, and be a proactive ambassador for quality and accountability in public service.

RESOURCES

Finance:

Delegated responsibility for the 8 million pound community equipment contract which is a joint funded NHS and Social Care budget via the Better Care Fund. The role will have responsibility to design, develop and deliver on financial monitoring and efficiencies against the contract budget. Delegated responsibility to authorise non-standard stock equip to meet individual needs over 5k up to 12k.

Staff:

Line management of:

• Service manager for Independent living Centre who manages the wider Independent Living Centre and Expert Moving and Handling Adviser (EMHA) Team. (Line management in terms of service delivery/improvement/ achievement and monitoring of KPIs of the service related to service level agreement) This role is hosted by Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Trust (RDUH) in terms of HR line management. Wider ILC/EMHA staff 8.2 WTE including Band 7,6,5 Therapists.
• DILIS Advanced Practitioner OT (H grade) providing operational and professional supervision and direct line management

Other:

Responsible for contract management and SLA compliance within CES, impacting overall quality of service.

Please refer to the full Job Description & Person Specification on the right hand when completing your application.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to degree level and/or appropriate equivalent professional qualification.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Working knowledge of Adult Protection and Safeguarding responsibilities.
• Knowledge of Health & Safety legislation, relevant to community equipment service provision.
• Knowledge of Social Care /NHS processes/procedures.

Desirable

• Certification in Project Management (Prince2, MSP, or equivalent).
• Evidence of management qualifications such as MBA, DMS, or MSc.
• Understanding of supply and logistics (desirable).

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience in public sector program management, with expertise in service improvement within local government or NHS settings.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage large-scale change initiatives, particularly across health and social care settings.
• Experience of prescribing equipment to support independence and wellbeing and/or working within the community equipment service industry.
• Experience of line managing individuals/teams.
• Experience of leading/influencing people/teams with no direct line management.
• Experience of leading projects which have delivered on positive quality and financial outcomes.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Devon County Council

Address

Exeter Community Equipment Service Units 5-8, Jacks Way,

Hill Barton Business Park,

Clyst St Mary (Exeter)

Devon

EX5 1FG

Employer's website

https://www.devon.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)