Placements Officer

We are working closely with Birmingham Children's Trust to assist with the appointment of a Placements Officer, on a 1.5-months contract, highly likely to be extended at clients discretion. Please apply with your CV for immediate consideration., The Placements Officer supports the effective delivery of placement-finding services for children and young people by coordinating, identifying, negotiating, and arranging suitable placements and support services that best meet assessed needs and promote positive outcomes. Working collaboratively with social workers, carers, providers, and partner agencies, the role contributes to the matching of placements within a best value framework while ensuring safeguarding, child-centred practice, and compliance with relevant childcare legislation and organisational policies. Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and support the identification, negotiation, matching, and arrangement of placements and support services for children and young people in accordance with assessed needs and safeguarding requirements.
• Plan and coordinate responses to presenting needs and circumstances to identify appropriate fostering, residential, emergency, short-term, or specialist placement arrangements, including secure accommodation where appropriate.
• Ensure placement matching considers health, education, emotional wellbeing, disability, gender, ethnicity, religion, language, cultural background, and individual support requirements.
• Work in compliance with safeguarding procedures, child care legislation, professional standards, confidentiality requirements, data protection legislation, and organisational policies.
  
  GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics.
• OCF/NVQ Level 3 qualification (e.g., Caring for Children & Young People) or recognised equivalent qualification.
Essentials:
• Willingness to undertake ongoing professional development and relevant training.
• Experience working within children's social care, fostering, residential care, placements, family support, or related social care settings involving children and families.
• Experience maintaining accurate records, reports, and case information to a high standard.
• Knowledge and understanding of child development, safeguarding, care options, and relevant child care legislation.