At a Glance
- Tasks: Coordinate and secure foster placements for children and young people in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join Sutton Council's dedicated Fostering Service team.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience while making a real difference in children's lives.
- Why this job: Be part of a meaningful mission to support vulnerable children and families.
- Qualifications: Experience in placements or children's services, with strong communication skills.
- Other info: Opportunity for professional growth in a supportive local authority setting.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Sutton Council is seeking an experienced Placement Officer to join its Fostering Service on an initial 3-month contract, supporting the effective placement of children and young people into foster care. This is a fast-paced role requiring excellent coordination skills, sound judgement, and a strong understanding of fostering and placement processes within a local authority setting.
Key Responsibilities
- Identify, coordinate, and secure appropriate foster placements for children and young people in line with care plans and statutory requirements.
- Work closely with social workers, fostering teams, providers, and partner agencies to ensure timely and suitable placements.
- Maintain accurate placement records and ensure compliance with internal procedures and regulatory standards.
- Contribute to placement matching, stability planning, and placement reviews.
- Respond to placement requests, including urgent and unplanned placements.
- Support effective communication between internal teams and external fostering providers.
Essential Requirements
- Previous experience working as a Placement Officer or in a similar placements role within Children’s Services / Fostering.
- Strong knowledge of fostering placements, safeguarding, and local authority processes.
- Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.
- Excellent communication and organisational skills.
- Experience using local authority case management systems (e.g. Liquidlogic, Mosaic – desirable).
Placement Officer in Sutton employer: Adult Social Care
Contact Detail:
Adult Social Care Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Placement Officer in Sutton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the fostering and children's services sector. We all know that sometimes it's not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that Placement Officer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of local authority processes and fostering placements. We recommend practising common interview questions with a friend or even in front of the mirror to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your organisational skills! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've successfully managed competing priorities in past roles. We want to see how you can handle the fast-paced nature of this job.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Placement Officer in Sutton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Placement Officer role. Highlight your experience in fostering and placements, and don’t forget to mention any relevant local authority processes you’re familiar with. We want to see how your skills match what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about fostering and how your previous roles have prepared you for this fast-paced position. We love seeing genuine enthusiasm, so let your personality come through!
Showcase Your Coordination Skills: Since this role requires excellent coordination skills, be sure to provide examples of how you’ve successfully managed multiple priorities in the past. We want to know how you handle pressure and ensure timely placements!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy – just follow the prompts and submit your materials!
How to prepare for a job interview at Adult Social Care
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of fostering and placement processes. Understand the statutory requirements and how they apply to the role. This will show that you're not just familiar with the basics, but that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Coordination Skills
Since this role requires excellent coordination skills, prepare examples from your past experiences where you successfully managed multiple tasks or projects. Be ready to discuss how you prioritised and organised your workload under pressure.
✨Communicate Effectively
Effective communication is key in this role. Think about how you can demonstrate your ability to liaise with social workers, fostering teams, and external providers. Prepare to share specific instances where your communication skills made a difference in achieving a successful placement.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Case Management Systems
If you have experience with local authority case management systems like Liquidlogic or Mosaic, be sure to mention it. If not, do a bit of research to understand how these systems work and be prepared to discuss how you would adapt to using them in your role.