Placements Officer

Nurture Fostering; Greater London; In loco; GBP 23.000 - 28.000; Tempo pieno

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Nurture Fostering in Lewisham, South East London, is seeking a Placements Officer to coordinate care placements for children and young people in our care. You will work with social workers, local authorities and foster carers to identify suitable placements that meet each child’s needs.

The role requires strong organisational skills, excellent written and verbal communication, safeguarding awareness and a compassionate, proactive approach to ensure safe, stable placements and positive outcomes

Competenze

• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple referrals and deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Attention to detail and data handling.
• Confidentiality and safeguarding understanding.
• Solution-focused with good decision-making.

Mansioni

• Coordinate placement referrals and identify suitable foster care placements.
• Match children's needs with foster carers' skills and capacity.
• Liaise with local authorities, social workers, carers and colleagues to facilitate placements.
• Review referral information for placement suitability in line with safeguarding requirements and the needs of the child.
• Maintain accurate placement records and ensure information is communicated clearly to relevant professionals.
• Support the placement process from initial referral through to placement confirmation.
• Contribute to placement stability by identifying potential challenges and ensuring relevant information is shared.
• Manage competing priorities and respond effectively to urgent placement requests.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to promote the welfare, safety and best interests of every child.

Conoscenze

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Time management

Safeguarding knowledge

Decision making

Empathy

Teamwork

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About Nurture Fostering

Nurture Fostering is an independent fostering agency based in Lewisham, South East London. We are committed to providing children and young people who are unable to live with their birth families with safe, stable and nurturing foster homes where they can feel valued, supported and thrive.

We are currently looking for a dedicated, organised and compassionate Placements Officer to join our placements team.

About the Role

Our placements team plays a vital role in ensuring that children and young people who are entering or are already in care are matched with the most suitable approved foster carers within our agency.

The successful candidate will help identify appropriate placements by carefully considering each child's individual needs, background, circumstances and care plan, alongside the experience, skills and availability of our approved foster carers.

This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who understands the importance of safe, stable and well-planned placements and is passionate about achieving positive outcomes for children and young people.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate placement referrals and identify suitable foster care placements for children and young people.
• Match children's individual needs with the skills, experience and capacity of approved foster carers.
• Liaise effectively with local authorities, social workers, foster carers and internal colleagues to facilitate appropriate placements.
• Review referral information and assess placement suitability in line with safeguarding requirements and the needs of the child.
• Maintain accurate placement records and ensure information is communicated clearly and promptly to relevant professionals.
• Support the placement process from initial referral through to placement confirmation.
• Contribute to placement stability by helping to identify potential challenges and ensuring relevant information is shared appropriately.
• Manage competing priorities and respond effectively to urgent placement requests.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to promote the welfare, safety and best interests of every child.

About You

We are looking for someone who is proactive, empathetic and highly organised, with excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple referrals and competing deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to assess information carefully.
• The confidence to liaise with a range of professionals and build positive working relationships.
• A clear understanding of safeguarding, confidentiality and the importance of putting children's needs first.
• A solution-focused approach and the ability to make informed decisions.
• A genuine commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people in care.
• Experience in fostering, social care, placements coordination or a similar role would be advantageous.

Why Join Nurture Fostering?

At Nurture Fostering, you will have the opportunity to contribute to work that makes a meaningful difference to children and young people. You will join a team dedicated to finding safe, suitable and nurturing homes and supporting foster carers to provide the best possible care.

If you are passionate about helping children find the right foster home and have the skills to support effective placement matching, we would love to hear from you.

Location: Lewisham, South East London

Job Title: Placements Officer

Salary: £25,000

Hours: 37 Hours 30 Minutes

Contract: Permanent Position

Nurture Fostering is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful candidate will be required to complete appropriate pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, in line with the requirements of the role.

Join Nurture Fostering and help us find the right home for every child