At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to find safe homes for children in need and ensure quality placements.
- Company: Join a dedicated team within Children We Care For Services making a real difference.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on collaboration and service improvement.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on children's lives by securing nurturing homes.
- Qualifications: Social Work qualification or equivalent experience, with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Home Finding & Commissioning Team Leader to join our Home Finding & Commissioning Team within Children We Care For Services. This is a vital leadership role where you will help ensure children who cannot live with their families are placed in safe, stable, and nurturing homes that meet their needs, reflect their identity and support positive, long-term outcomes.
Key responsibilities
- You will lead a dedicated team delivering a high-quality home finding and brokerage service, ensuring the right placements are secured at the right time, with a strong focus on quality, stability and value for money.
- You will also play a hands‑on role in complex and urgent placement searches, acting as a key escalation point and working collaboratively across services and with external providers.
- You will lead, supervise and develop Home Finding & Commissioning staff, manage workflow and the allocation of placement referrals to ensure timely and effective service delivery.
- The role involves undertaking complex placement searches and negotiating with providers to secure suitable options, ensuring that all placements are safe, appropriate and cost‑effective.
- It also includes building strong relationships with both internal and external providers, monitoring performance, demand and financial pressures, and coordinating multi‑agency working to support successful placements.
- In addition, you will ensure compliance with statutory, safeguarding and procurement requirements, while supporting ongoing service improvement, reporting and sufficiency planning.
Qualifications
- A recognised Social Work qualification (or equivalent experience/Level 6 management qualification)
- Proven leadership experience within children’s placements, commissioning or brokerage
- Strong negotiation and relationship management skills
- A solid understanding of placement matching, safeguarding and risk assessment
- Knowledge of Ofsted, regulatory and procurement frameworks
- Ability to analyse data and drive service improvement
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills
- Resilience and flexibility to respond to urgent placement situations
Working Arrangements
You will be required to work a minimum of two days per week in the office as per our Hybrid Working Policy.
Home Finding and Commissioning Team Leader in Portsmouth employer: Portsmouth City Council
Join our dedicated team at Children We Care For Services, where we prioritise the well-being of children in need by providing a supportive and nurturing work environment. As a Home Finding and Commissioning Team Leader, you will benefit from a collaborative culture that values professional development and offers opportunities for growth within the organisation. With a focus on quality service delivery and strong relationships with internal and external partners, this role is not just a job; it's a chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families in our community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Home Finding and Commissioning Team Leader in Portsmouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work and commissioning sectors. Attend relevant events or webinars where you can meet potential employers and showcase your passion for children's services.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation's values and recent projects. Tailor your responses to highlight how your experience aligns with their mission of providing safe and nurturing homes for children.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your negotiation skills during interviews. Be ready to discuss specific examples where you've successfully secured placements or managed complex situations, demonstrating your ability to deliver quality outcomes.
✨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 Home Finding and Commissioning Team Leader in Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in children's placements and commissioning. We want to see how your skills align with the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this is a leadership role, don’t forget to emphasise your previous leadership experiences. Share specific examples of how you've led teams or managed complex situations in the past – we love a good story!
Highlight Your Negotiation Skills:Negotiation is key in this role, so be sure to include any relevant experiences where you successfully negotiated placements or built strong relationships with providers. We’re looking for those standout moments that demonstrate your expertise.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Portsmouth City Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of placement matching, safeguarding, and the regulatory frameworks like Ofsted. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the role but also passionate about it.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or managed complex situations. Highlight how you’ve developed staff and ensured high-quality service delivery, as this is crucial for the Home Finding & Commissioning Team Leader role.
✨Demonstrate Your Negotiation Prowess
Think of specific instances where you've negotiated effectively with providers or stakeholders. Be ready to discuss your approach to securing suitable placements and how you balance quality with cost-effectiveness.
✨Build Rapport
During the interview, focus on building a connection with your interviewers. Ask insightful questions about their team dynamics and how they collaborate with external providers. This shows that you value relationships, which is key in this role.
