Robert Allerton

ICT Consultant

Recruited by Gateshead to replace the Social Care Programme Manager and complete the implementation of Mosaic Case Management and Finance for Adult Social Care. Children’s Social Care had been live for a year but there were clearly issues; after taking stock of the Children’s system, I raised several immediate concerns and recommended a full review of the Mosaic system for Children's Services and Children’s Social Care Finance. I commissioned an independent consultant with expert product knowledge to review and produce a report. The report endorsed my concerns and led to a programme of rework through a series of Learning Labs designed to revise each process and ensure ownership and engagement of the Mosaic implementation. Guided stakeholder management, budget management, and communications, and re-introduced Project Boards for Adults, Children’s and Executive. Developed and implemented a programme of work covering both Adults and Children’s Social Care and Finance, system design, data migration, system configuration, user acceptance testing, training, cutover, implementation and support. Identified and recruited external consultants to lead the programme work as appropriate, creating a Programme team incorporating both internal and external resources. Ensured compliance with the Care Act and all legislation to facilitate the distribution of accurate annual returns before turnover to BAU. Managed the Programme Budget reporting into the Exec Board. Introduced connectivity to the Great North Care Record using APIs to connect with the Cerner portal.

Project leadership and delivery, tasked with reviewing the Case Management System for Adults Social Care, along with improving operational processes, and providing efficient working practices for the local authority. Parachuted into Project Manager role primarily to prepare for transition from DoLS to Liberty Protection Safeguards to meet changes in Government legislation, impacting the Community Wellbeing Directorate. Reported into a Programme Office / PMO structure, and worked with a Service Director for Adult Services. Designed and agreed the new Operational and Technical Models (Case Management System), including interactions with health and 3rd party suppliers of services, such as care home settings, nursing homes, and field-based homecare providers. Established the project structure, outlined the project plan, and facilitated systems transition to LPS. Prepared a Council Members Briefing, estimating future budget requirements & advising on change. Designed, secured buy-in, and oversaw deployment of training plans in preparation for the transition. Created a detailed project brief for the review of the existing Case Management System (Mosaic). Identified areas where changes can be made to improve efficiencies, with quantifiable cost savings.

Reviewed and redefiened the business case for replacing the existing Children's Case Management system with and alternative solution. Produced costed business case document on which the decision can be made.

Project leadership and delivery, working on a mission-critical initiative to review and plan a way forward for the replacement of a legacy and no longer ‘fit for purpose’ Case Management System. Extensive stakeholder management across AFC and RBWM at up to Director level, along with working with legal, social work managers, field-based teams, and suppliers. Accurately reviewed the existing system and produced a detailed resource plan, cost analysis, and proposed replacement system, including optional software modules to streamline processes & realise major benefits. Created a costed business case & comprehensive delivery plan to replace the legacy Paris system. Provided key recommendations to guide decision making and strengthen overall Children's Services. Secured a reduced price option from the preferred supplier, and designed a full implementation plan. Articulated a proposed solution as a replacement, with projected cost savings estimated at over £1m.

Programme leadership, taking ownership for the end-to-end specification, procurement and implementation process to replace the Social Care Programme for Adults, Children's Services, and Social Care Finance. Reported directly to the Chief Operating Officer, with regular engagement with the Chief Executive Officer. Full project and programme lifecycle management, including programme planning, scope, design, development, testing, training implementation, budgeting & risk/issue management. Effectively co-ordinated the procurement process in accordance with the Crown Commercial Framework agreement, including developing a functional specification, issuing the ITT, and mapping ‘As Is’ processes. Ensured compliance with the Care Act, along with all associated legislation to facilitate the distribution of accurate annual returns before turnover to BAU. Drove innovation by introducing digital connectivity to the London Care Record, using APIs to connect with the Cerner Portal, the first Borough / Local Authority to achieve this milestone. Championed full process redesign, data migration, system configuration testing, and team training. Remotely managed the project following the COVID-19 lockdown, achieving successful completion.

Programme Management of new Case Management Solution for Social Care ( Adults Children's and Finance) From Specification through procurement and full implementation of the chosen solution, Liquidlogic. Including configuration, testing, training, data migration stakeholder management etc

Review and Pre Procurement Project

Full remit as Programme Manager for spearheading the replacement Social Care Programme, impacting both Adults, Children’s Services and Social Care Finance. Engaged collaboratively with key stakeholders. Key role in delivering all elements of the programme, encompassing specification, procurement, roll-out, process redesign, system configuration, data migration, testing, training, and handover to BAU. Initially established a Programme Board with TOR’s and a clear communications plan. Leveraged input from across key directorates, including Director of Finance and senior ICT management. Took the lead in planning the programme, agreeing the resource profile, and articulating estimated costs of procuring and implementing the new Case Management System, securing board / budgetary approval. Established, onboarded and led a team of Consultants to deliver the programme, recruiting up to 25 staff. Conducted a ‘soft market test’ exercise with prospective vendors prior to the redesign, development, and documentation of operational processes, including Finance and Health. Instrumental in cloud migration and support of around 700 end users and up to 500 providers of services to the Social Care Departments. Worked closely with the ICT function to ensure alignment with ITIL frameworks and best practice. Conducted in-depth business analysis of both ‘as is’ and ‘to be’ processes, signed off by the Board. Completed the full tendering and procurement process under the Framework agreement RM 1059. Awarded supplier contract & edited the implementation plan based on vendor resourcing constraints. Managed the relationship with the suppliers agreed and monitored SLA performance during delivery. Led design & deployment of interfaces to CPIS, Corporate Finance (AR & AP interfaces) and Health.

Implementation of Liquidlogic Case Management system

Programme leadership and delivery as part of the implementation of LAS and ContrOCC, supporting the project team through to completion and handover into BAU. Led delivery of all elements, including the implementation of robust governance, stakeholder relationships, and service delivery for Bath & North East Somerset Council, Sirona, AWP and CHC. Renegotiated with Liquidlogic and OCC, conducting a ‘dry run’, including data migration from Care First, and delivering a successful ‘Go Live’ with the new LCS system. Effectively planned and configured LCS and LAS for ‘Phase 2’ implementation, encompassing a Professional Portal for MASH and e-Pep in Children's Services, and MASH for Adults. Successfully launched an innovative & informative new provider portal and Citizen Portal for Adults. Delivered LAS and ContrOCC on schedule, meeting stakeholder expectations and agreed timelines.

Implementation of Liquidlogic Social Care Case Management system