At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead children's placement and quality assurance initiatives to improve outcomes for young people.
- Company: Wokingham Borough Council, dedicated to enhancing children's services.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, opportunity to make a real difference in children's lives.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team during an exciting period of change and growth.
- Qualifications: Experience in children's placement commissioning and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: 3-month contract with potential for permanent role; collaborative work environment.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 45000 £ per year.
Children\’s Placements and Quality Assurance Manager
Children’s Placement & Quality Assurance Manager
Location: Wokingham
Contract: 3 months (initial)
Hours: 37 per week
Rate: £513 per day (umbrella) – (£390 PAYE per day)
About the Role
Following increased investment and internal changes, Wokingham Borough Council is seeking an experienced Children’s Placement & Quality Assurance Manager to join us on an interim basis for 3 months while a permanent appointment is made.
We are a small but busy Children’s Team, and we need someone who can hit the ground running, building effective relationships with social workers, managers, providers, partners, and staff across children’s services and the wider council.
This is an exciting time for the team as we work to integrate Independent Non-Maintained Special School placements into our remit. Candidates with relevant experience – or strong ideas about how this can be achieved – will be particularly welcome.
Key Objectives
- Help establish a new Children’s Placement Commissioning function, including supplier relationships, brokerage, contract management, and quality assurance.
- Develop an operational model to meet SEND placement needs.
- Design and implement a placement Quality Assurance framework across Children’s Social Care and SEND placements.
- Support the development of sufficiency strategies.
- Contribute to the work of the Strategic Placement Board by developing insights into placement usage, cost, and impact for children.
- Establish reporting mechanisms and embed a clear, information-led approach across the team.
About You
We are looking for an individual with:
- Proven experience in Children’s placement commissioning and quality assurance.
- A strong understanding of SEND placement needs and associated operational models.
- The ability to work at pace and build effective working relationships across multiple stakeholders.
- Strong analytical, organisational, and leadership skills.
- A commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people.
If you are an experienced Children’s Placement professional ready to make an immediate impact, we’d love to hear from you.
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Children\'s Placements and Quality Assurance Manager employer: Service Care Solutions
Contact Detail:
Service Care Solutions Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Children\'s Placements and Quality Assurance Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the children's services sector and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its current projects. For this role, understanding Wokingham Borough Council's approach to SEND placements will give you a leg up. Show us you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the key objectives of the role. We want to hear about your successes in children’s placement commissioning and quality assurance—make it memorable!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Children\'s Placements and Quality Assurance Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in children's placement commissioning and quality assurance. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Relationships: Since building effective relationships is key for this role, share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with social workers, managers, and other stakeholders in your previous positions. We love to see teamwork in action!
Demonstrate Your Analytical Skills: Highlight your strong analytical abilities by discussing how you've used data to inform decisions or improve processes in past roles. We’re looking for someone who can bring insights into placement usage and impact for children.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you in the running for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Service Care Solutions
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of children's placement commissioning and quality assurance. Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in SEND placements and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to establishing a new Children’s Placement Commissioning function.
✨Build Relationships
Since this role involves working closely with social workers, managers, and various stakeholders, think about how you can demonstrate your relationship-building skills. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you successfully collaborated with different teams or partners.
✨Show Your Analytical Side
This position requires strong analytical skills, so be prepared to discuss how you've used data to inform decisions in previous roles. Bring along any insights or frameworks you've developed that could apply to the role, especially regarding placement usage and cost impact.
✨Be Ready to Hit the Ground Running
Given the fast-paced nature of the team, highlight your ability to adapt quickly and make an immediate impact. Share specific instances where you've successfully managed change or implemented new strategies in a short timeframe.