At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformative projects to secure stable homes for children and care leavers.
- Company: Join a supportive council dedicated to improving lives in diverse communities.
- Benefits: Professional development, supportive environment, and opportunities for impactful work.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and collaboration across two boroughs.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable young people every day.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified social worker with strong negotiation and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 29835 - 36465 £ per year.
Help find the right homes and pathways for children, young people and care leavers, building a foundation for their future. As our Placements Transformation Lead, you will tackle complex placement challenges to ensure children, young people and care leavers receive the high-quality support and stability they deserve. It is a role with genuine impact across two boroughs – a chance to combine frontline social care expertise with strategic thinking, transforming how we commission and deliver care.
Working Style
You will be based in the Borough for three days a week, playing a key role in serving our local communities. Whether you are liaising with colleagues across the service or meeting directly with providers, you will be part of a supportive, dedicated team focused on delivering high standards of care and stability.
What you’ll be doing
We have two positions available, each taking on a focused area of service transformation and placement delivery. One role will join a Westminster project team dedicated to improving move-on pathways for care leavers. You will collaborate closely with personal advisers to review needs, formulate individual progression plans, source supported accommodation alongside private market options and dismantle barriers that delay moves to independence. The second role will manage the broader spectrum of placement needs for children and young people aged 0 to 25. Here, you will evaluate placement requests, match individual needs and negotiate contracts with independent and voluntary providers. In both roles, your focus will be combining hands-on, case-by-case problem-solving with strategic improvements to sufficiency, commissioning pathways and value for money. You will act as a key connector between social work practice and commercial commissioning, ensuring every decision puts the young person first.
What you’ll bring
You must be a qualified social worker currently registered with Social Work England and already employed within RBKC or Westminster City Council. You will bring a comprehensive understanding of statutory children’s social care, commissioning frameworks and the placement needs of looked-after children and care leavers. Crucially, you possess exceptional negotiation, communication and relationship-building skills. You know how to convene multidisciplinary professionals, challenge existing practice constructively and secure cost-effective, high-quality arrangements. Most importantly, you are someone who remains calm and composed under pressure. You are skilled at managing competing priorities and confidently navigating complex, sensitive negotiations, always keeping the voice and wellbeing of the child or young person at the heart of every decision.
Why join us
At RBKC, we’re all in – investing in our people, our communities and our future. Joining our team offers a rare opportunity to blend frontline social care insight with commercial acumen and strategic service transformation. Rather than simply administering existing processes, you will actively shape commissioning pathways, test innovative ideas and influence placement sufficiency across two leading local authorities. We offer a collegiate, supportive working environment where initiative is championed and you can expand your expertise across project delivery, quality assurance and system-wide improvement. We are committed to your professional development and wellbeing, offering continuous learning and the backing of colleagues who genuinely look out for each other.
About us
Kensington and Chelsea is home to diverse communities, thriving businesses and unique local places. Everything we do is focused on supporting our residents, strengthening our approach and creating a fairer borough. As a competent and caring Council, we take pride in our work every day, ensuring our services are delivered with care and competence. We listen to our residents, act with integrity and work together to build a borough that is greener, safer and fairer for all.
In this role, bringing a committed, 'all in' mindset is vital. Securing the right living environment for vulnerable children and care leavers is demanding work, and navigating complex placement markets means it will not always be smooth sailing. However, every ounce of effort pays off. When you tackle difficult barriers and find creative solutions, you create opportunities that directly improve the stability, security and life chances of young people across our communities.
Interview Details
Face to Face interviews 24th November 2026
Ready to join us? We’re all in – are you? If you share our values and have the skills to contribute, we’d love to hear from you. Please apply online explaining how you meet the requirements set out in the person specification and job description.
We reserve the right to extend or close this vacancy early without warning subject to the volume of suitable applicants. We are committed to promoting equality and respecting diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are a Disability Confident Employer – committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible. We are committed to fair, transparent, and consistent pay practices. New hires will start at the minimum of the advertised salary range. Employees receive annual salary increases until they reach the top of the pay scale. In addition, employees will receive any agreed cost of living pay rises.
Transformation Lead Placements employer: Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
At RBKC, we are dedicated to creating a greener future for our community, making us an exceptional employer for those passionate about sustainability. As a Decarbonisation and Sustainability Project Manager, you will enjoy a collaborative work culture that prioritises professional development, flexible working arrangements, and the opportunity to engage directly with residents in meaningful projects. Join us in transforming social housing while benefiting from a competitive package and the chance to be part of a nationally recognised decarbonisation programme.
Contact Details:
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Transformation Lead Placements
✨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 Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
✨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 Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea!
✨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 Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, 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 Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea 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 Transformation Lead Placements
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 Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea! 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 Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
✨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.
