At a Glance
- Tasks: Coordinate placements between Local Authorities and educational teams, ensuring smooth transitions.
- Company: Join a supportive organisation dedicated to care and education.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, hybrid work, and wellness support.
- Other info: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with excellent training and growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in placements or social care, strong communication, and organisational skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 30000 £ per year.
Hybrid working with travel to sites 2 days per week.
Performance-related bonus opportunity up to 10%.
Working Hours: 37.5
Location: Leeds
Closing Date: 18/10/2026
Job Category: Business Development
Region / Division: North
Business Unit: Support Services
Purpose of Role
We are seeking a highly organised and proactive Placements Officer to join our dedicated team. You will be the key link between Local Authorities, our Registered Managers, Head Teachers and internal teams, ensuring that referrals are reviewed efficiently, placements are matched appropriately, and offers are communicated in a timely and professional manner.
Key Responsibilities
- Review and assess incoming referrals from Local Authorities, ensuring all relevant information is obtained and recorded accurately.
- Liaise closely with Registered Managers and Head Teachers to identify suitable placement opportunities.
- Prepare and send detailed placement offers to Local Authorities within agreed timeframes.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date placement records and referral logs.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with Local Authority commissioners and social workers.
- Monitor placement capacity and anticipate future availability.
- Work collaboratively with internal teams to ensure smooth transition and onboarding for new placements.
- Contribute to weekly placement meetings and provide data reports when required.
Skills & Experience Required
- Experience in a similar placements, referrals, or commissioning role within social care, education, or related sectors.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to build rapport quickly.
- Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to manage multiple referrals and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and confident using databases/CRM systems.
- Knowledge of children’s residential care, fostering, or SEND education provision is desirable.
Rewards Package
- Blue Light Card
- Colleague referral scheme with cash rewards – earn up to £2500 per referral!
- Financial wellbeing service
- Life Assurance
- Taste card - spectacular savings on dining, pizza, cinema tickets, supermarkets, and UK attractions!
- Comprehensive and tailored induction programme including face-to-face training, online modules, shadowing, and local induction period.
- Face-to-face therapeutic training and support for all colleagues via our SHINE programme.
- Access to a wide range of free online courses for all colleagues on a variety of topics.
- Employee assistance programme – free, confidential support.
- Community and wellbeing - Your wellbeing matters to us, and we are committed to ensuring you get all the support you need to feel good about what you do. We’re in this together.
- Supportive management and senior leaders.
Placements Officer ( Care and Support ) in Leeds employer: Horizon Care Ltd
At Olympus Academy in South Croydon, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for our SENCOs. With a strong emphasis on professional development, our staff benefit from comprehensive support from senior leadership, ensuring they can focus on delivering high-quality education to our diverse student body. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people with Special Educational Needs while enjoying a collaborative culture that values your contributions and aspirations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Placements Officer ( Care and Support ) in Leeds
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Horizon Care Ltd.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Horizon Care Ltd!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Horizon Care Ltd, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Horizon Care Ltd or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Placements Officer ( Care and Support ) in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Horizon Care Ltd:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Horizon Care Ltd! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Horizon Care Ltd
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
