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- Tasks: Join our team to secure high-quality placements for children in need.
- Company: Southwark Council is dedicated to supporting children and young people in the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive rate, hybrid working options, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team making impactful decisions for children's futures.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in children's services brokerage is essential.
- Other info: This is a senior role with a fast-paced environment and daily team collaboration.
Location: Southwark
Contract: Initial 3-month assignment
Hours: 36 hours per week
Rate: £33 per hour (via umbrella company)
Hybrid: Minimum 2 days in the office, up to 5 when on duty
Southwark Council is seeking a Senior Broker to join our Access to Resources Team (ART) in Children's Services. This is a senior-level role and we are specifically looking for candidates with significant experience in brokerage, particularly within children's placements.
About the Role: This fast-paced, high-responsibility role is crucial to ensuring that Southwark's children and young people are placed in high-quality, proportionate placements that meet their assessed needs and support their development.
You will:
- Respond rapidly to referrals from social work teams
- Source, negotiate, and finalise placements in Supported Accommodation, Residential Care, and Fostering Agencies
- Work within a dynamic market to secure value-for-money placements that are safe, stable, and support outcomes
- Proactively monitor placement sufficiency and alert senior managers to emerging risks or gaps
- Maintain regular contact with providers and undertake Quality Assurance visits
- Liaise with the Fostering Service, Social Workers, and Managers to ensure a coordinated, child-focused approach
Key Responsibilities:
- Deliver responsive brokerage, with daily 9AM team meetings to monitor children awaiting placements
- Negotiate placement costs and support packages to ensure financial effectiveness
- Manage contracting, IPA agreements, and Mosaic financial systems
- Provide briefings to management on placement activity, pressures, and risks
- Support improvements in the quality of referrals from social work teams
- Keep comprehensive case records and maintain accurate placement and financial data
- Promote use of internal fostering and family placements to reduce reliance on external options
- Keep updated with legislation, Ofsted guidance, and best practice
Who We’re Looking For:
- Significant experience as a broker in children's services is essential
- Strong knowledge of the children's social care market, particularly in placements
- Skilled negotiator with a proactive, solutions-focused mindset
- Capable of working independently while knowing when to escalate or seek advice
- Confident managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Familiar with Mosaic or similar case management and finance systems
If you are an experienced, driven professional ready to help shape and deliver outstanding placements for children in Southwark, we want to hear from you. Apply now to make a lasting impact where it matters most.
Senior Brokerage Officer employer: Service Care Solutions
Contact Detail:
Service Care Solutions Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Brokerage Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs and challenges of children's services in Southwark. Understanding local policies, recent developments, and the unique dynamics of the area will help you demonstrate your knowledge during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals already working in children's services or brokerage roles. Engaging with them can provide insights into the role's expectations and may even lead to referrals or recommendations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your negotiation strategies and past experiences in securing placements. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your skills and successes in similar roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current legislation and best practices in children's social care. Being knowledgeable about Ofsted guidance and recent changes in the sector will show your commitment and readiness for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Brokerage Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your significant experience in brokerage, particularly within children's placements. Use specific examples that demonstrate your skills in negotiation and managing competing priorities.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a compelling cover letter that outlines your passion for children's services and your proactive, solutions-focused mindset. Mention how your experience aligns with the key responsibilities of the role.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, emphasise your strong knowledge of the children's social care market and your familiarity with Mosaic or similar systems. This will show that you are well-prepared for the role.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application to ensure there are no errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for this senior-level position.
How to prepare for a job interview at Service Care Solutions
✨Showcase Your Brokerage Experience
Make sure to highlight your significant experience in brokerage, especially within children's placements. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully sourced and negotiated placements in the past.
✨Demonstrate Your Negotiation Skills
As a Senior Brokerage Officer, strong negotiation skills are crucial. Prepare to share instances where you effectively negotiated placement costs or support packages, showcasing your ability to secure value-for-money placements.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Relevant Legislation
Stay updated on legislation, Ofsted guidance, and best practices in children's services. Being knowledgeable about these areas will demonstrate your commitment to quality and compliance during the interview.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in a fast-paced environment. Think of examples where you managed competing priorities or escalated issues effectively, as this will show your proactive mindset.
