6-month fixed-term contract or 6-month secondment opportunity for internal staff
We have an exciting opportunity for a Placements Officer - Children's on full-time, temporary basis.
At Bracknell Forest, we pride ourselves on being a council which is stable and well-managed where our employees can thrive in a supportive environment. We understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance and offer a variety of flexible working practices, including options for remote working and arrangements that allow you to work from home, dependent on the needs of the service.
About you...
Working as part of a team you will be required to manage, and respond to, referrals for care support from frontline teams and to respond with options within agreed deadlines.
We are looking for someone with excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. The ideal candidate should be able to solve problems effectively and propose practical solutions. They must also be able to work well under pressure and meet challenging deadlines.
You willl be comfortable working on your own initiative and confident in making informed decisions. A strong understanding of safeguarding practices is essential, along with a commitment to promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
About the team...
We are a small team who work closely together to make sure we are providing the best support to Bracknell Forest children and young people, helping to create positive futures and safe environments. Sometimes the work is challenging however there is also time for finding creative solutions and every day is different.
Key responsibilities...
* Assist with the delivery of a high-quality care sourcing function. QA all referrals to ensure they are person-centred and compliant to relevant regulations.
* Securting value for money through the use of cost-effective options, sound market overview and provider engagement. Actively supporting, developing and maintaining good relationships with providers and colleagues.
* Confirm that care and support options meet the council’s quality standards and assist with the collation of key information from providers to support quality assurance and Care Governance decisions.
* Assist with the collection and recording of data for purposes of decision making, audit and quality assurance.
* Responsible for the completion of all services and paperwork to ensure providers know what services they need to offer and are paid in a timely manner.
* To complete check in calls with providers to ensure the placement is going well.
Our benefits
* 25 days* annual leave increasing to 28 days* after 3 years’ continuous service, with the opportunity to buy up to 10 and sell up to 5 days*.
* Hybrid working opportunities to support your wellbeing and work-life balance.
* Paid employee volunteering scheme.
* Local government pension scheme, with life insurance cover.
* Recognition of continuous service attained within the NHS and UKHSA when calculating some benefits. (Terms and Conditions apply)
* Career development through internal and external training opportunities.
* Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and fostering leave.
* Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support your health and wellbeing
* Inclusive and social working environment with a variety of staff networks and a sports and social club.
*(pro rata for part time)
Find out more about all our benefits or see the candidate pack.
Our values
At Bracknell Forest Council our values define who we are and what is important to us. Our core values are inclusive, ambitious, and always learning. These values influence the way we work with each other and the way we serve our residents and engage with our communities. We make our values real by demonstrating them in how we behave every day. If you are excited about joining a diverse team that celebrates learning and strives for excellence, we would love to hear from you.
Reasonable adjustments
We are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process for all applicants. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or interview, please let us know by contacting recruitment@bracknell-forest.gov.uk. We will work with you to support you throughout the process. Find out more about reasonable adjustments.
Interview date
Interviews will be held on 25th September 2025.
Interviews will be conducted in person, providing candidates with the chance to personally meet the team and experience our work environment.
We will be reviewing applications regularly and reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified. To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible.
Please note AI is prohibited during the interview, any candidate using AI will be withdrawn from consideration.