Senior Placements Officer - Children's Commissioning & Placements Team

Senior Placements Officer - Childrens Commissioning & Placements Team

Are you experienced in working with children within the care system? Are you passionate about finding the best possible homes for children and young people unable to live with their families? Are you looking for an opportunity to work within a specialist service where your skills and knowledge will be developed whilst working in a friendly and supportive team?

We are seeking a solution-focused, innovative, and driven individual to provide an effective commissioning approach to securing external placements for vulnerable children and young people, supporting them to achieve the best possible outcomes.

Within this rewarding role you will play an active part in developing and maintaining good working relationships across a wide range of stakeholders, both internally and externally, to support joined up processes that will allow Solihull Council to source the right placements (foster, residential and supported accommodation provisions) that will meet the needs of our children and young people looked after.

To be successful in the role you will be able to demonstrate:

• Education to Level 3 (or equivalent), or able to demonstrate specialist skills and knowledge gained from relevant experiential learning
• Knowledge and experience of working with financial processes and procedures in the context of commissioning services in a health or social care setting
• Strong and proven negotiation skills
• The ability to engage and build relationships with providers and stakeholders at all levels using effective interpersonal and communication skills
• Good organisational skills and the ability to respond effectively to conflicting work priorities and demands

In return, you will be working as part of a friendly team and will have the opportunity to work with a wide range of partners, to secure the best possible outcomes for our children and young people looked after. We also offer:

• Further opportunities for training and development.
• Generous leave entitlement (which rises with continuous service) including the potential for flexi leave up to 24 days per year.
• The opportunity to buy up to 10 additional days’ annual leave per year.
• Family and Carer friendly policies.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme – a 24 hour independent, free and confidential advice and support service.
• Attractive staff discounts and benefits including our cycle to work scheme.
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.

To apply, please click on the link below.

If you have a specific question regarding this post, please contact:

Jenny Netherton – jennifer.netherton@solihull.gov.uk / 07407 794700

Closing date: Wednesday 16 April 2025

Interviews will take place on Wednesday 23 April 2025.

A standard DBS will be required for this post.

The Fluency Duty is outlined in the Code of Practice on the English language requirements for public sector workers. The Fluency Duty for this role is required.

Solihull Council has a responsibility for, and is committed to, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk, and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Solihull Council is proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees - a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit.

Attached documents
Job Description & Person Specification