Placement Officer
Job Reference: HCC624150
Salary Range: £27,780 - £30,564 per annum
Work Location: Elizabeth II Court, Winchester
Hours per week: 37
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 31 May 2026
Interview Date: 3 & 4 June 2026
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Placement Officer to join the Placements & Quality Team (PQT) within Shared Services at Hampshire County Council. Are you looking for a fast‑paced and rewarding role where you can make a real difference to children and young people? Working as part of a supportive and collaborative team, you will play a key role in identifying and securing high‑quality placements that meet the needs of Hampshire’s looked‑after children.
The Role:
The Placements & Quality Team (PQT) plays a key role in securing safe, stable and high‑quality homes for Looked After Children across Hampshire. We work across a diverse range of provision, including foster care, residential care, special educational needs schools, supported accommodation and short breaks.
As a Placement Officer, you will link Social Work teams with providers, coordinate home‑finding activity and help secure the right setting for each child or young person. You will need to balance urgency with quality, ensuring that the homes identified not only meet immediate needs but also support longer‑term stability and positive outcomes.
This is a varied and fast‑paced role where no two days are the same. You will manage your own caseload of live referrals, working to tight timescales and responding to changing priorities, while building and maintaining effective relationships with both internal colleagues and external providers. You will be expected to think creatively and persist when identifying options, particularly where needs are complex or availability is limited. Your work will play a key part in ensuring that decisions are well‑informed, represent good value, and are aligned with each child’s care plan.
This is a hybrid role, with at least one day per week based in our Winchester office, and there is flexibility to attend in‑person meetings and team activities in line with service needs.
What you’ll do:
* Coordinate home‑finding activity based on referral information, using phone, email and online systems.
* Manage and prioritise a caseload of live referrals, working to tight timescales.
* Negotiate costs and work with providers to secure homes that are safe, suitable, and aligned with each child’s care plan and long‑term outcomes.
* Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date records, including chronologies and tracking tools (e.g. SharePoint/Excel).
* Provide clear and timely updates to Social Workers and Team Managers.
* Ensure a prompt response to enquiries, including coordinating urgent same‑day home‑finding activity.
* Build and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues and external providers.
* Use children’s electronic record systems to ensure accurate recording and compliance.
What we’re looking for:
* Good standard of literacy and numeracy (GCSE or equivalent).
* Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel and Teams.
* Excellent communication skills, with the ability to build positive working relationships.
* Ability to manage competing priorities and work on your own initiative.
* Understanding of data protection and confidentiality requirements.
* Strong attention to detail and accurate record‑keeping.
* Flexible, team‑oriented approach, including ability to work under pressure.
* Experience working in a busy or high‑pressure environment.
* Knowledge of databases and wider MS Office applications.
* Understanding of statutory requirements relating to looked‑after children.
Benefits:
* Opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives of children and young people.
* Supportive team environment with opportunities for collaboration and learning.
* Access to training and development across commissioning, contract management and Children’s Services.
* Flexible hybrid working arrangements.
* Preparation for future senior‑level opportunities.
We offer a flexible, motivating and inclusive workplace, where talent is truly recognised and developed. We have created an environment that you can look forward to being a part of and where you are empowered to be your best and believe in creating a workplace built on teamwork where people can grow and develop in their roles.
This post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children’s Services, references will be requested prior to interview.
Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:
Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.
In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.
We are a Disability Confident Employer – committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.
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