At a Glance
- Tasks: Ensure children find safe, high-quality homes and monitor care standards across the UK.
- Company: Join a dedicated team within Children We Care For Services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on safeguarding and collaboration across agencies.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives by ensuring their safety and well-being.
- Qualifications: Level 4-5 qualification in relevant fields and experience in quality assurance or commissioning.
The predicted salary is between 42838 - 47181 € per year.
We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Home Finding Quality Assurance & Commissioning Officer to join our Home Finding & Commissioning Team within Children We Care For Services. This is a vital role focused on ensuring that children and young people who cannot live with their families are placed in safe, high-quality homes that meet their individual needs, promote stability, and reflect their identity.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct quality assurance visits (announced and unannounced) to residential homes, fostering agencies, and supported accommodation providers across the UK.
- Carry out due diligence checks on providers, assessing safeguarding practices, staffing, compliance, and Ofsted outcomes.
- Monitor Ofsted notifications, escalating risks and advising senior leaders on action.
- Lead provider risk profiling, identifying and tracking concerns and performance issues.
- Develop and oversee provider improvement plans to raise standards.
- Work collaboratively with safeguarding partners, including the LADO.
- Provide enhanced oversight on high-risk or complex placements.
- Contribute to commissioning processes, including provider evaluation and market development.
- Support contract monitoring and ensure compliance with agreed standards.
- Produce clear, evidence-based reports and maintain audit-ready records.
- Respond effectively to concerns, complaints, or safeguarding issues.
- Advise colleagues on provider suitability and placement matching.
- Participate in multi-agency meetings and risk panels.
- Support urgent responses where immediate safeguarding concerns arise.
The Ideal Candidate
- We are looking for a motivated and analytical professional who can balance quality assurance, safeguarding, and commissioning priorities.
- A Level 4–5 qualification (or equivalent experience) in a relevant field such as Children & Young People’s Services, Health & Social Care, Social Care Practice, Education/Youth Work, Psychology, or Commissioning.
- Experience in one or more of the following: quality assurance, contract monitoring / commissioning, children’s residential, fostering, or supported accommodation services.
- Strong knowledge of Ofsted frameworks, National Minimum Standards, safeguarding, and regulatory requirements.
- Proven ability to analyse quality data and identify risk, produce clear reports and improvement plans, and challenge providers constructively and professionally.
- Excellent communication, report‑writing, and organisational skills with strong attention to detail.
- Ability to manage competing priorities independently, handle sensitive safeguarding issues with confidence, and work collaboratively across agencies.
- A full driving licence and willingness to travel nationally.
Working Arrangements
You will be required to work a minimum of two days per week in the office as per Hybrid Working Policy. Please note: You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it. We do not sponsor for this position. We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard, committed to equal opportunities for all.
Home Finding Quality Assurance & Commissioning Officer in Portsmouth employer: Portsmouth City Council
Join our dedicated team as a Home Finding Quality Assurance & Commissioning Officer, where your expertise will directly contribute to the safety and well-being of children and young people in need. Our work culture prioritises collaboration, professional development, and a commitment to high standards, ensuring that you have the support and resources necessary to excel in your role. Located in the Civic Offices, we offer a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance while providing opportunities for meaningful impact within the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Home Finding Quality Assurance & Commissioning Officer in Portsmouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the social care sector, especially those who work in quality assurance and commissioning. Attend events or webinars, and don’t be shy to ask for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of Ofsted frameworks and safeguarding practices. Be ready to discuss how you would handle specific scenarios related to quality assurance and commissioning. Show them you’re not just a fit on paper but also in practice!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your analytical skills! Bring examples of how you've used data to improve services or identify risks in previous roles. This will demonstrate your ability to produce clear reports and improvement plans, which is key for this position.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team and making a difference in the lives of children and young people.
We think you need these skills to ace Home Finding Quality Assurance & Commissioning Officer in Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Home Finding Quality Assurance & Commissioning Officer. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate how your skills in quality assurance, safeguarding, and commissioning can make a difference. We want to see real examples of how you've tackled similar challenges in the past.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where necessary to make it easy for us to read. Remember, we appreciate strong communication skills, so let that shine through!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Portsmouth City Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the key responsibilities of the Home Finding Quality Assurance & Commissioning Officer role. Familiarise yourself with quality assurance processes, safeguarding practices, and Ofsted frameworks. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the position.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your experience in quality assurance, contract monitoring, or working with children’s services. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, making it easier for the interviewers to see how your skills align with their needs.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Interviews are a two-way street, so come prepared with thoughtful questions about the team, the challenges they face, and how success is measured in this role. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the company culture and expectations align with your values.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect to be asked how you would handle specific situations related to safeguarding or quality assurance. Think through potential scenarios beforehand and consider how you would respond, focusing on your analytical skills and ability to work collaboratively across agencies.
