Discharge Coordinator

Job overview

An exciting 6 month secondment opportunity has arisen for a Discharge Coordinator in the Community Rehabilitation Team to support the Rehabilitation and High Support (RHS) Care Hub in managing overall service capacity and optimising flow, with a focus on the effective coordination of discharges.

This role encompasses all inpatient rehabilitation and low secure services across the Trust, including:

• Low Secure Services: Prospect Place and Tatton Unit
• Level 1 Rehabilitation Services: Heathfield House, Stansfield Place, Rhodes Place
• Level 2 Rehabilitation Services: Beckett Place, Hurst Place

You will be required to attend a range of meetings across the Care Hub to support the management of capacity and flow for this patient cohort. Responsibilities will include assisting key workers in identifying appropriate future placements, coordinating subsequent assessments, supporting funding applications, and liaising with agencies linked to the Mental Health Act, Ministry of Justice, and risk management processes.

You will work closely with the multidisciplinary team to ensure effective communication between service users, their families and carers, and commissioners, particularly in relation to discharge planning. You will also support in managing bed capacity and forecasting bed availability based on projected discharge dates.

Main duties of the job

• Maintain a visible presence across RHS units to lead and co‑ordinate a robust discharge planning framework.
• Provide constructive challenge and clinical insight to ensure appropriate, safe, and timely discharge planning.
• Coordinate discharge activity across all RHS services, ensuring consistency and effective communication.
• Support in managing bed capacity, patient flow, and associated operational processes.
• Actively participate in clinically ready for discharge processes, working with the MDT to remove barriers and facilitate timely transitions of care.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Support clinical teams and service managers in resolving interface issues that impact discharge pathways or patient flow.
• Contribute to problem solving, decision making, and long-term service development.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Essential Criteria:

• RMHN, OT or Social Worker with NMC/HCPC/SW registration
• Evidence of ongoing continuing professional development (CPD)
• Extensive experience supporting individuals presenting with serious mental illness across a range of settings.
• Proven experience working effectively within multi-disciplinary teams and across professional boundaries.
• Experience supervising and mentoring junior staff and students
• Strong understanding of admission, transfer, and discharge processes
• Knowledge of comprehensive risk assessment and risk management frameworks.
• Up to date knowledge of mental health legislation (including the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, DoLs), safeguarding legislation
• Clear understanding of confidentiality, information governance, and data protection requirements
• Understanding of capacity management, bed management procedures, and Clinically Ready for Discharge process.
• Knowledge of Section 117 aftercare responsibilities and funding pathways for placements.
• Experience in audit, data collection, and ability to use research or evidence to inform practice
• Advanced mental health assessment and risk assessment skills.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to convey complex information clearly.
• Effective analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities
• Demonstratable understanding of the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act in clinical practice.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience working at Band 6 level, with demonstrable clinical responsibilities.
• Service development experience
• Experience of working in low secure or rehabilitation services
• Experience of working in CMHT
• Trained and/or experience in Quality Improvement (QI) methodology

Please refer to the job description and person specification to give you the best chance of being shortlisted.