At a Glance
- Tasks: Support placement requests and ensure quality placements for children and young people.
- Company: Join Nexus Fostering, a dedicated organisation focused on child welfare and support.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days annual leave, birthday leave, and a cycle to work scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while working in a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in sales or customer care; IT skills and report writing are essential.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are at our core; we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 Β£ per year.
The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.
Working Pattern: 37.5 hours per week, 9.00am β 5.00pm Monday-Friday
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Placements Officer to join the team at Nexus Fostering. We are looking for an organised and driven individual to join our Core Services team at our Harrow office.
The Role
As Senior Placements Officer, you will be responding to placement requests and identifying placement and service solutions. You will be working closely with Local Authority Placement Teams to ensure the highest possible standard of appropriate placements for children and young people referred to Nexus Fostering. You will provide support to less experienced placement officers giving advice and guidance where required as well as support to the team in the absence of the management team. In this role you will liaise with operational teams and support planning around vacancies whilst ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of the service.
In consultation with the Placement Manager, you will ensure that each child or young person placed with Nexus Fostering is carefully matched with a Foster Carer capable of meeting their needs.
You will be responsible for maintaining a database of information relating to referrals, children, young people and Foster Carers, including records of movements of children within the agency. You will be responsible for providing statistical information on referral and placement trends to inform service development and ensuring that all relevant agreements are obtained and completed.
As Placement Officer, you will ensure that the protection of children and the promotion of their welfare is given absolute priority in all activities.
What weβre looking forβ¦
- Experience in sales, customer care or account management environment
- A proven track record in obtaining and maintaining clients, increasing sales or providing customer support solutions
- Demonstrate experience in producing clear, accurate and concise reports and correspondence using IT software packages
- Experience of utilising a range of IT programmes and maintaining database systems
- Experience of working in a health, social services or welfare environment (Desirable)
- Experience of working within an organisation regulated by legislation and a demonstrable ability to work within a policy and procedural framework (Desirable)
Why work for us?
- Generous Annual Leave β 28 days PLUS your Bank Holiday Entitlement
- Birthday Leave β a paid day off for your birthday
- Good Health Days β no sickness in a 6 month period and get an additional day off!
- Refer A Friend Scheme with a monetary incentive
- Comprehensive Employee Assistance Platform that provides access to advice and support 24/7
- Auto Enrolment Pension
- Cycle To Work Scheme
- Optional Enhanced Maternity/Paternity/Adoption Leave/Shared Parental Leave.
Everyone is welcome
Diversity and inclusion are the principles for how we build our teams and Unity Foster Care strives to create an inclusive culture where all forms of diversity are valued and celebrated. We want a workforce which represents the communities we serve and work, to ensure no applicant or employee is treated unfairly on the basis of race, gender, age, disability, religion or identity. We recognise and value the individual differences and contributions of all employees and believe that by working together we can achieve equality for all.
*Nexus Fostering is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and vulnerable people in our care. Successful applicants will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.
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Contact Detail:
Olive Branch Fostering Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Placements Officer
β¨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the local authority placement teams in your area. Understanding their processes and needs will help you demonstrate your ability to effectively liaise and collaborate with them during the interview.
β¨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your data management skills, especially with database systems. Being able to discuss your experience in maintaining accurate records and producing reports will show that you're well-prepared for the responsibilities of the role.
β¨Tip Number 3
Prepare examples from your past work where you've successfully matched clients or customers with solutions. This will highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to meet the needs of children and young people.
β¨Tip Number 4
Research Nexus Fostering's values and commitment to diversity and inclusion. Be ready to discuss how your own values align with theirs, as this will demonstrate your fit within their organisational culture.
We think you need these skills to ace Placements Officer
Some tips for your application π«‘
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in sales, customer care, or account management. Emphasise any roles where you've successfully maintained client relationships or provided support solutions.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, explain why you're passionate about working with children and young people. Mention your understanding of the importance of matching placements effectively and how your skills align with the role.
Showcase IT Proficiency: Since the role requires maintaining database systems and producing reports, be sure to mention your experience with IT software packages. Provide specific examples of how you've used these tools in previous roles.
Highlight Relevant Experience: If you have experience in a health, social services, or welfare environment, make sure to include this in your application. Even if it's not mandatory, it can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Olive Branch Fostering
β¨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
As a Senior Placements Officer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to manage multiple placement requests efficiently. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you successfully organised tasks or projects, highlighting your attention to detail and time management skills.
β¨Understand the Importance of Matching
Familiarise yourself with the process of matching children with suitable Foster Carers. Be ready to discuss how you would approach this task and the factors you believe are crucial in ensuring the best outcomes for children and young people.
β¨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in real-life scenarios. Think about potential challenges you might face in the role and how you would address them, especially in relation to maintaining client relationships and ensuring service efficiency.
β¨Demonstrate Your IT Proficiency
Since the role involves maintaining databases and producing reports, be prepared to discuss your experience with various IT programmes. Highlight any specific software you've used and how it has helped you in your previous roles, particularly in a customer care or social services environment.