Community Assessment Officer - Project R
Team: COA – Project R Review Team
Job Family: Supporting – CBG7
Salary: £29,542 - £32,046 per annum pro rata
Hours: 37 hours per week
Location: You will be expected to attend a CBC office location as often as needed to carry out your role, which will be no less than once per month
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract / Secondment - funded for 2 years
Closing Date: 13th November 2026
Interview Date: W/C 23rd and 24th November 2026
About the role
Project R was established to provide a dedicated resource responsible for delivering planned Care Act reviews, ensuring that care and support arrangements continue to meet people's needs, remain proportionate to eligible need and respond appropriately to any changes in circumstances. In addition, the team provides flexible capacity to support provider failure responses, safeguarding-related review activity and targeted review programmes.
The project supports Community Assessment Services to move from a largely reactive approach to a more proactive, planned and sustainable review model, ultimately improving outcomes for the people we support while strengthening our statutory responsibilities.
We are looking for a motivated, enthusiastic and committed Community Assessment Officer to join Project R and play an important role in delivering high-quality, person-centred Care Act reviews across Adult Social Care.
As a Community Assessment Officer, you will be responsible for managing an allocated workload and undertaking timely, strengths-based reviews of care and support arrangements, ensuring that people's eligible needs continue to be met and that support remains appropriate, proportionate and responsive to changes in their circumstances.
You will work directly with individuals, their families, carers, advocates and care providers to understand their experiences, wishes and outcomes, identifying what is working well, where needs may have changed and whether existing care arrangements continue to promote independence, choice and control.
A key focus of the role will be ensuring that care and support arrangements are proportionate to assessed needs and demonstrate best value. You will be expected to use professional curiosity, gather and evaluate information, and appropriately challenge existing arrangements where there may be opportunities to promote independence or meet needs differently. This may include exploring community resources, reablement, equipment, Technology Enabled Care and other approaches that could support individuals to achieve their outcomes and reduce reliance on formal care where appropriate.
You will be responsible for completing accurate and timely case recording, review documentation, updated care and support plans and associated financial processes, in accordance with relevant legislation, local procedures and your level of responsibility.
You will be expected to recognise and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns, potential mental capacity issues, changes in risk and complex situations, seeking advice and escalating matters to a qualified Social Worker or Senior Practitioner where specialist assessment, professional judgement or further intervention is required.
Working within a busy, performance-focused team, you will need to organise and prioritise your workload effectively, progress allocated reviews within agreed timescales and maintain clear communication with the Senior Practitioner and Team Manager regarding progress, emerging risks and any barriers to completion.
You will also contribute to targeted review programmes and service improvement initiatives, working collaboratively with colleagues across Adult Social Care, Occupational Therapy, Reablement, Technology Enabled Care, Commissioning and other partner organisations to identify opportunities to improve outcomes and support the sustainable delivery of services.
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a developing project, contribute to improving statutory review performance and make a meaningful difference to people's lives through high-quality, strengths-based practice.
About You
You will have experience of working within Adult Social Care, health, social care or a related setting, with a good understanding of person-centred practice and the principles underpinning the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005, safeguarding and associated statutory responsibilities.
You will have experience of working with adults who have care and support needs, and ideally experience of undertaking assessments, reviews or care and support planning within a statutory or community-based setting.
You will demonstrate a strong commitment to strengths-based practice, promoting independence and ensuring that individuals are actively involved in decisions about their care and support.
You will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with individuals, families, carers, advocates, care providers and other professionals, including in situations where views or expectations may differ.
You will be able to gather and analyse information, identify changes in needs and risks, and make appropriate recommendations within your level of responsibility, recognising when matters require further professional assessment or escalation.
You will have a good understanding of safeguarding responsibilities, mental capacity principles and the importance of protecting people's rights, wishes and wellbeing.
Strong organisational and time-management skills are essential, together with the ability to manage an allocated workload, meet agreed timescales and maintain accurate, high-quality records within a busy working environment.
You will be confident using electronic case management systems, or willing to develop these skills, and understand the importance of accurate recording, information sharing and maintaining confidentiality.
You will be proactive, reflective and solution-focused, with the confidence to ask questions, appropriately challenge information and seek guidance when required.
You will be committed to working collaboratively with colleagues and partner organisations, contributing to a positive team culture and supporting the wider objectives of Project R.
Above all, you will be passionate about supporting people to maintain their independence, exercise choice and control, and achieve positive outcomes through care and support arrangements that are appropriate, proportionate and sustainable.
Working for us, you can expect to be part of a supportive and developing team, with regular supervision, opportunities for professional development and the chance to contribute to innovative approaches to statutory reviews and wider service improvement.
Our Offer
We have a number of rewards and benefits available to our staff, to view these please visit our Rewards and Benefits page
Our aspiration is to be a truly flexible employer. We welcome discussion on location, hours and working pattern as part of the application process.
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You will be expected to demonstrate how you meet the key accountabilities and competencies detailed within this Recruitment Pack
Our Competency Framework and Qualification Guidance are to be read in conjunction with our Recruitment Pack.
For an informal discussion about this position, please contact the Team Manager: melanie.wooding@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk or call 03003004368
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Safeguarding (For DBS posts only):
Central Bedfordshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees, volunteers and contractors to share this commitment. This post is subject to the disclosure of criminal records.
To maintain a fair and consistent approach for applicants, it is Central Bedfordshire Council's policy to only consider applications made via our online application system and we therefore thank you for not submitting your application offline.
Your application to us is a reflection of who you are professionally and should give us an accurate and authentic picture of your skills, experiences and if applicable qualifications. Before you submit your application, we will ask you to confirm if you have used AI.
All new starters will join us on a four‑month probationary period. During this time, if you are offered a Hybrid role you will be required to attend a Central Bedfordshire Council office location more frequently to support thorough and well‑supported onboarding into your role. Please keep this in mind if you anticipate extensive travel to Central Bedfordshire.
Bedfordshire Employment and Skills Academy (BESA) provides free employability support and training courses.
Please note we are unable to offer sponsorship for our roles. Successful applicants that may require a visa will need to consider the options for obtaining and/or maintaining the legal right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the contract offered.