Job Description
2 months contract with a local authority
Summary
* The Children’s Placements Officer is tasked with sourcing, matching, negotiating, and arranging suitable placements and services for children and young people. This role is crucial in ensuring that every placement meets the child’s individual needs, supports positive outcomes, and complies with legislation, policies, and best practices. The officer collaborates with internal teams, external agencies, and service providers while upholding high standards of safeguarding, confidentiality, and record-keeping.
Responsibilities
* Identify, negotiate, and arrange the most appropriate placements for children and young people, including fostering, residential, emergency, short-term, and secure accommodation.
* Ensure placements consider the child’s health, education, cultural, linguistic, religious, and social needs.
* Match available placement options to assessed needs within a Best Value framework.
* Provide professional advice to social workers and referrers to support informed placement decisions.
* Work in partnership with internal teams, external agencies, carers, parents, and providers to coordinate services.
* Represent the Placements Service in meetings, reviews, and planning discussions.
Essential Experience Required
* Experience working within social work, fostering, residential care, or children’s social care settings.
* Experience handling duty work and working to deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
* Experience in customer service and engaging with diverse service users.
Essential Qualifications Required
* GCSE English and Mathematics (Grades 1–3) or equivalent.
* OCF/NVQ Level 3 in Caring for Children & Young People or an equivalent recognised qualification.
Additional Information
* Working hours: 36.50 hours per week
* 1 day in the office per week.
* Enhanced DBS required.
* We work on a bi-weekly payment schedule.
The role closes on 27th March 2026, apply ASAP.
Requirements
The Children’s Placements Officer is responsible for sourcing, matching, negotiating, and arranging suitable placements and services for children and young people