Children's Placements Officer

Opus People Solutions Ltd; West Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is seeking a Children’s Placement Officer in Walsall. The role involves sourcing suitable foster homes and residential placements for children aged 0-17, ensuring compliance with quality standards, and negotiating service fees. Strong communication and negotiation skills are essential, along with a knowledge of children’s social care processes. This full-time role offers a hybrid working structure, allowing flexibility between office and home working, making it ideal for professionals seeking balance in their work environment.

Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge of children's social care processes and placement requirements.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively within a small, dedicated team.
• High attention to detail, particularly in compliance and quality assurance checks.

Responsibilities

• Source and identify appropriate foster homes and residential placements for children.
• Ensure providers meet quality standards and documentation is compliant.
• Negotiate fees with providers for best value care.

Skills

Knowledge of children's social care processes

Strong negotiation skills

Excellent communication skills

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Job description

Job Title: Children's Placement Officer

Location: Walsall

Hours: 37 per week, full-time

Working Structure: Hybrid - 2 days in office / remainder working from home

Pay Rate: £16.89 per hour (PAYE) / £22.16 per hour (Umbrella)

Requirement: Enhanced DBS (desirable)

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Source and identify appropriate foster homes, residential placements, and supported accommodation for children aged 0-17.
• Ensure all providers meet required quality standards, including valid Ofsted/CQC registration, and that all documentation is up to date and compliant.
• Negotiate fees with providers to achieve best value while maintaining high-quality care and services.
• Prepare and complete contracts in line with current frameworks, ensuring accurate recording of all placement searches.
• Collaborate closely with Children's Social Care Teams, including Commissioning (Adults and Children), Emergency Duty Team, Fostering, and external providers.
• Respond promptly in urgent situations, supporting teams who may be awaiting immediate placement solutions.

Skills & Experience

• In-depth knowledge of children's social care processes and placement requirements.
• Strong negotiation skills, balancing cost efficiency with service quality.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to remain calm, professional, and solution-focused under pressure.
• High attention to detail, particularly in compliance and quality assurance checks.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively within a small, dedicated team.