Home Finding Officer in Birmingham

Be the person who helps children find the right home, at the right time.

At Compass Community, we're committed to transforming the lives of children and young people through safe, stable and therapeutic care. We're looking for a highly organised and compassionate Residential Home Finding Officer to join our growing Home Finding Team and play a vital role in ensuring children are matched with the most appropriate home as quickly and effectively as possible.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with experience in children's services, residential care, fostering, admissions or social care who wants to make a meaningful difference behind the scenes while working closely with local authorities, commissioners and operational teams.

About the Role

As a Residential Home Finding Officer, you will manage referrals from initial enquiry through to outcome, coordinating information and supporting decision-making to ensure children are matched to homes that can best meet their needs.

You'll be the key point of contact for commissioners throughout the referral process, ensuring a professional, responsive and child-centred service at all times.

Working closely with Registered Managers, Regional Operations Managers and senior colleagues, you'll help facilitate smooth admissions and support positive outcomes for children across our residential services.

What You'll Be Doing

Managing Referrals

• Managing referrals from receipt through to outcome
• Acknowledging referrals within agreed service standards
• Coordinating and gathering information to support matching decisions
• Liaising with commissioners to obtain any additional information required
• Keeping commissioners updated throughout the referral journey
• Escalating urgent, complex or high-risk referrals when necessary

Supporting Matching and Admissions

• Coordinating discussions between operational teams to assess referrals
• Maintaining an up-to-date understanding of vacancies and service availability
• Supporting the preparation of admissions documentation
• Helping to ensure smooth transitions from offer through to admission
• Identifying opportunities for appropriate internal moves where beneficial

Administration and Data Management

• Maintaining accurate records across CRM and internal systems
• Ensuring referral information remains organised, complete and audit-ready
• Updating trackers, reports and referral databases
• Assisting with reporting and quality assurance activities
• Identifying and resolving data discrepancies

Building Strong Relationships

• Developing positive working relationships with Local Authorities and commissioners
• Providing professional and responsive communication via telephone and email
• Supporting preparation for commissioner meetings and discussions
• Acting as a positive ambassador for Compass Community

What We're Looking For

Essential Experience

• Experience within children's residential care, fostering, social care, admissions or a home finding environment
• Experience managing referrals or coordinating processes from enquiry to outcome
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders and building effective relationships
• Experience using CRM, database or case management systems
• Strong administration and organisational skills with excellent attention to detail

Desirable Experience

• Experience working with Local Authorities or commissioning teams
• Knowledge of children's residential care services
• Experience supporting occupancy, admissions or placement processes

Skills and Knowledge

• Understanding of children's services and safeguarding principles
• Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Confident using Microsoft Office and CRM systems
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to work accurately in a fast-paced environment
• Knowledge of children's legislation and regulatory frameworks would be advantageous

About You

You'll be:

• Highly organised and methodical
• Child-focused in your approach
• Professional, resilient and adaptable
• Calm under pressure and able to manage competing priorities
• Positive, collaborative and solution-focused
• Passionate about delivering excellent service
• Aligned to our values of Integrity, Courage and Care

Why Join Compass Community?

Compass Community exists to create a future of strength and opportunity for every child. Through fostering, residential care and education, we deliver innovative and therapeutic services that put children first.

We're on a mission to become the UK's leading children's services provider, supporting more children, creating the best place to work in the sector, and driving positive change across children's services.

Our values of Integrity, Courage and Care shape everything we do. We believe in listening, learning, challenging ourselves and working together to make a real difference in the lives of children and young people.

If you're looking for a rewarding role where your work has a direct impact on helping children find safe, stable homes, we'd love to hear from you.

Join Compass Community and become a Life Changer.