Home Finding and Quality Assurance Manager

Wokingham Jobs; Wokingham; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Wokingham is looking for a Home Finding and Quality Assurance Manager to oversee the sourcing and brokerage of placements for children and care leavers. This is a full-time, permanent position, requiring experience in children's services commissioning and contract management. The role offers a generous benefits package, including 31 days of annual leave and a local government pension scheme.

Benefits

31 days annual leave

Local government pension scheme

Free onsite gym

Salary sacrifice car & cycle schemes

Employee assistance programme

Qualifications

• Experience in commissioning or support tasks related to children's services.
• Experience in developing and delivering service improvement opportunities.
• Experience in contract management and placement sourcing.

Responsibilities

• Lead the sourcing and matching of placements for children and care leavers.
• Oversee the identification of independent special schools for children with SEND.
• Build and maintain relationships with local and regional providers.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Problem-solving skills

Ability to persuade and influence

Education

Degree-level qualification in a relevant subject

Job description

Overview

This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.

We have a brand-new fantastic opportunity available for a Home Finding and Quality Assurance Manager to join our Children's Services team here at Wokingham Borough Council, on a full time, permanent basis.

As the Home Finding and Quality Assurance Manager, you will lead the strategic sourcing and brokerage of placements for children we care for, care leavers and children with SEND, ensuring high-quality, value-for-money provision that meets individual needs. This includes a range of placement types such as residential care, independent fostering agency (IFA) placements, parent and child placements, supported accommodation, and specialist education settings for children with SEND.

Wokingham Borough Council has launched a dedicated Home Finding and Placements team focused solely on supporting children and young people. This new, specialist service brings sharper focus, enhanced expertise, and personalised support to every child\'s journey. Previously part of a combined adults and children\'s service, the creation of this standalone team marks an exciting step forward, enabling us to design a truly child-centred approach from the ground up.

As part of this transformation, you\'ll have the opportunity to collaborate across Children\'s Services, deepen your knowledge of children\'s social care and education, and play a key role in shaping a service that makes a real difference in young lives. It\'s a fantastic opportunity to be part of something meaningful!

Benefits

• A generous annual leave entitlement of 31 days (rising to 36 days after 5 years continued local government service), plus Bank Holidays
• An excellent local government pension scheme
• Use of a free onsite gym (located at Shute End office)
• Salary sacrifice car & cycle to work schemes
• A range of local & lifestyle discounts
• An employee assistance programme including 24/7 wellbeing helpline
• And much more

Key responsibilities

• Lead the sourcing and matching of placements for children we care for and care leavers, including emergency, short-term, and long-term options.
• Oversee the identification and commissioning of independent and non-maintained special schools for children with SEND and Alternative Provision.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local and regional providers to maximise local placement options
• Implement and maintain a robust quality assurance framework to monitor placement quality, outcomes, and compliance.
• Lead the development and maintenance of a comprehensive contracts register for all placements and service contracts.
• Conduct comprehensive due diligence and quality assurance checks on all providers before making placement decisions.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of the annual Sufficiency Strategy.

Candidate requirements

• Degree-level qualification in a relevant subject.
• Experience of working in commissioning or support tasks (e.g. monitoring quality, performance or evaluating costs)
• Experience of identifying, developing, and delivering opportunities for improving a service
• Experience in commissioning, placement sourcing, and contract management within children's services.
• Ability to negotiate, persuade and influence at all levels, including senior managers and partners
• Good problem-solving skills and ability to identify and implement appropriate solutions

Our Area

Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside.

We're home to a range of high performing schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. We have a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.

How to apply

Please apply online via the link provided. Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.

Alternatively, to find out more or to arrange an informal discussion, please contact Carey Tulloch. The email is [e-mail].

Closing Date: Sunday 23rd November 2025, 11pm

Interview Date: TBC

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually.

If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI)
We cannot stop anyone using AI to help write application content. Used right it can be a great tool. If you choose to use AI, then use it as a helper rather than relying on it wholly to write your application.

Applications that rely too heavily on AI may be rejected during shortlisting.

We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.

How to apply

Please apply online via the link provided.

Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.