At a Glance
- Tasks: Source and secure homes for children, ensuring their needs are met.
- Company: St Helens Borough Council, a modernising council passionate about community support.
- Benefits: Flexible working, pension scheme, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience with children, strong communication skills, and a proactive attitude.
The predicted salary is between 29272 - 35776 £ per year.
We are St Helens Borough Council
Located in the heart of the Northwest close to Liverpool, Manchester and Lancashire, St Helens is a modernising Council which is passionate and ambitious for the Adults and families we support, our communities and our workforce.
As part of our transformation journey, we continue to build on our progress and put people firmly at the centre of our care.
We can only do this because of our highly valued, skilled, and supported workforce.
We have two exciting full-time permanent opportunities to join our Contracts and Monitoring Team (Children's) as a Placements Co-ordinator.
The primary purpose of the role is to identify, source and secure high-quality homes and support services for children and young people who require care and support.
You will work closely with a range of professionals to ensure children are matched with services that best meet their needs, deliver positive outcomes and ensure value for money.
This is a varied and rewarding role in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same.
You will play a key part in helping children access the right care and support at the right time.
We are a well established, hardworking and friendly team who work flexibly to meet the needs of the service.
We are looking for people with the same qualities and values to join us.
This role makes a difference to children's lives.
Making a Difference
Whatever stage of your career, working in the public sector puts you at the heart of communities.
Our workforce provides services to our resident's day in and day out, making a positive impact on people's lives.
We could not do this without the dedication, professionalism and strength of our workforce.
There are so many reasons to choose to work at St Helens Council including the fantastic range of employee benefits and rewards on offer.
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As a St Helens Council employee, you'll be enrolled in the Merseyside Pension Fund Pension Scheme.
Use the calculator to see what your annual pension could be worth based on your salary and length of service. [ Try the calculator ]
Roles That Matter
The work we do is not traditional office work. No two days are the same.
Key Responsibilities
You will
- Source and secure homes and support services for children and young people.
- Work with professionals to understand children's needs and ensure referrals are strengths-based and outcome-focused.
- Manage a complex caseload and maintain accurate records of placement activity, referrals, provider information and outcomes.
- Participate in placement matching decisions to achieve the best possible outcomes for children.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external partners, including commissioners, providers, social care, education and health professionals.
- Apply relevant regulations, guidance and safeguarding requirements within all aspects of the role.
- Handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately and professionally.
- Support the commissioning and monitoring of high-quality services that achieve positive outcomes and value for money.
- Working Arrangements
The role is currently based at Atlas House and operates on a hybrid basis.
Employees can regularly work away from Council workspaces (including home or other locations), alongside required office-based working.
The balance between remote and office-based working is determined at service level based on operational need, however, there has been a minimum specification that staff will work at least 2 days from an office-based location.
This may increase during the initial training period.
As St Helens Council will be part of the Cheshire and Mersey Regional Care Co-operative, working arrangements may evolve in the future.
Our standard working week is 37 hours. Depending on service requirements, you may occasionally be required to participate in a rota arrangement.
About You
We are looking for individuals who can demonstrate
- Experience of working directly with children and young people.
- Strong communication, influencing and negotiation skills.
- Excellent partnership-working and relationship-building abilities.
- Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding responsibilities.
- The ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively under pressure.
- A proactive, organised and flexible approach to work.
- A friendly and 'can do' attitude.
- A full driving licence and access to a vehicle is essential as occasional visits to providers across the North West may be required.
If prevented by disability we welcome applicants to explain how they can meet the travel requirements with reasonable adjustments.
Full Job Description & Person Specification Documents are included with this advert.
Equality & Diversity
We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, who share our values, our commitment to inclusion, and who will help us on our journey to transform our organisation.
The Council guarantees an interview to disabled applicants who demonstrate that they meet the essential criteria for the job, as detailed on the Person Specification, and will, for qualifying disabled candidates, make reasonable adjustments within selection.
All Council employees are required to abide by the ethical standards embodied by the 7 Nolan Principles.
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Placements Co-ordinator in St Helens employer: St Helens Borough Council
St Helens Borough Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values teamwork and community engagement. As a part-time Kitchen Assistant at St John Vianney Primary School, you will enjoy the benefits of flexible working hours, opportunities for personal growth, and the satisfaction of contributing to the well-being of local children in a safe and nurturing environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Placements Co-ordinator in St Helens
✨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 St Helens Borough Council.
✨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 St Helens Borough Council!
✨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 St Helens Borough Council, 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 St Helens Borough Council 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 Placements Co-ordinator in St Helens
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 St Helens Borough Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to St Helens Borough Council! 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 St Helens Borough Council
✨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.
