Placement Support Officer

This role will support the Children's Strategic Commissioning Service's placement team to provide high quality commissioning support in sourcing appropriate placements for children and young people from independent and non-maintained providers. Placements can be made both within Lincolnshire and throughout the United Kingdom. This role plays a key part in helping the Council meet statutory obligations in particular for Children in Care and for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. The Placement Support Officer will also undertake activities across the full breadth of the commissioning cycle including contract assurance processes, supporting market engagement activities, performance and data analysis and responsibility for the development of contractual documentation. This role is based at Lincoln County Offices and requires working from the office five days a week Monday-Friday 9am-5pm (4.45pm on Friday).

We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Placement Support Officer to join our Strategic Commissioning Team, playing a key role in shaping high-quality services and placements for children and young people., You will have a sound knowledge of commissioning and procurement processes and your role will include the commissioning of high quality residential and education placements for children and young people from independent and non-maintained providers. You must be able to build effective relationships with a diverse stakeholder community, both internally and externally and a knowledge and understanding of the Children in Care (CiC), Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Children with Disabilities (CWD) teams would be advantageous. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate good negotiation and analytical skills, be an excellent communicator and will have exceptional attention to detail, whilst being able to work across a range of different work streams, displaying the necessary professionalism and confidence to work alongside and advise Senior Managers and Members., In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

Along with a competitive salary we are offering:

• A Contributory pension
• Comprehensive benefits package including excellent discount schemes and cycle to work
• Career progression opportunities
• A generous annual leave entitlement plus the option to buy more
Further details can be found in our rewards and benefits brochure