Placement Manager – Children & Young Adult Residential Care
Location: Maidstone, Kent
Contract: Full-time | Permanent | Hybrid
Purpose of the Role
We are seeking a skilled and values-driven Placement Manager to support our Children's and Young Adult Residential Home in Maidstone. The role is central to ensuring that all admissions are carefully matched, safe, and in the best interests of the child or young person, in line with their needs, care plans, and outcomes.
The Placement Manager will work closely with local authorities, social workers, and the home's leadership team to ensure placements are appropriate, planned, and compliant with Ofsted requirements.
Key Responsibilities
* Manage and coordinate all placement enquiries, referrals, and admissions
* Ensure thorough review of referral information to support effective matching of children and young people
* Liaise professionally with local authorities, commissioning teams, and social workers
* Work closely with the Registered Manager to ensure placements align with the home's Statement of Purpose
* Support smooth and well-planned admissions that prioritise the child or young person's safety, welfare, and emotional needs
* Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant placement records
* Monitor occupancy in a way that supports stability, safeguarding, and positive outcomes
* Contribute to service development and quality assurance processes
Safeguarding and Quality
* Ensure all placement decisions prioritise safeguarding and risk management
* Promote a child-centred, trauma-informed approach throughout the placement process
* Ensure placements comply with Ofsted regulations, safeguarding policies, and safer recruitment principles
* Support the home's commitment to continuous improvement and reflective practice
About You
* Experience in children's residential care, placements, referrals, or commissioning
* Strong understanding of Children's Homes Regulations, safeguarding, and child protection
* Knowledge of effective matching and placement stability principles
* Confident communicator with the ability to build professional relationships
* Highly organised, analytical, and able to manage sensitive information appropriately
* Values-led, with a clear commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people
What We Offer
* Competitive salary (dependent on experience)
* Supportive leadership and collaborative working culture
* Ongoing professional development and training
* Opportunity to contribute meaningfully to positive outcomes for children and young people
* A role that supports regulatory compliance and service quality
Safer Recruitment
This role is subject to enhanced DBS checks, references, and safer recruitment checks in line with safeguarding requirements and Ofsted expectations.
How to Apply
If you are passionate about ensuring high-quality, well-matched placements for children and young people, we would welcome your application.
Please submit your CV and a supporting statement detailing your experience relevant to children's residential placements.
Pension, Healthcare + Bonus