At a Glance
- Tasks: Help children and families find the right care and support services.
- Company: Join Vibe Care, a leader in children's services brokerage.
- Benefits: Flexible part-time hours with opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Work in a supportive environment with a focus on innovation and improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in social care or customer service is a plus.
Vibe Care are seeking for their client a Grade 8 Brokerage Officer for Children's Services. This is a part time role based in Oxfordshire, working 18.5 hours per week over 2.5 days. You would need to attend the office a minimum of twice a month; however, you should be flexible and willing to come into the office more, depending on the needs of the service.
Job Description:
- To undertake brokerage activities to identify, source and establish effective care and support arrangements for children and adults (specialising in a particular life stage), working with operational services, providers and service users.
- To receive referrals for individual care and support arrangements and provide appropriate signposting, information and advice to service users and their families in order to inform their care and support decisions.
- To identify options for care and support packages within the appropriate cost and service requirements, liaising with service users and their families.
- Building and maintaining effective relationships with providers, social work teams, and other professionals.
- Customer service skills and the ability to manage challenging conversations.
- Creative thinking and flexibility to find solutions for complex placement needs.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Understanding of key legislation and how it applies to children's placements.
- Awareness of local and national priorities in children's social care.
- To source the required care and support services which meet the individual's needs and preferences and negotiate price as appropriate to ensure cost-effective arrangements.
- To be responsible for completing and co-ordinating the relevant contract governance documentation in a timely and accurate manner and attending relevant panel meetings, in order to support appropriate decision making in line with agreed policies and delegation.
- To regularly liaise with the service user, operational services, providers and other stakeholders throughout the brokerage process so they are informed of options, progress and decisions.
- To apply a person-centred approach to brokering care and support arrangements which enable the delivery of outcomes, needs and preferences for the service user, carers and their families.
- To be responsible for timely, accurate and robust data recording, documentation and administration for individual care and support arrangements using the relevant ICT systems.
- To enable, build and maintain effective working relationships with individual suppliers and the wider market, supporting commissioning colleagues in market shaping and development.
- To enable, build and maintain effective working relationships with operational services, providing advice and quality assurance, so that care and support arrangements deliver outcomes, quality and value.
- To comply and maintain good knowledge of legislation, government guidance and policies relevant to children and adults requiring care and support packages (specialising in a life stage).
- To ensure that children and vulnerable adults are safeguarded at all times and in line with current legislation, and where appropriate to report areas of concern.
- To enable innovation, creativity and continuous improvement in care and support arrangements, as well as wider commissioning, procurement and contract management, by working with suppliers and operational services.
- To contribute to other commissioning activities as required to support a joined-up approach to commissioning, procurement and contract management of Health, Education and Social Care services.
Relevant Experience:
- Previous experience in a brokerage, commissioning, or placement-finding role (children's or adults' services).
- Experience with working directly with children, families, or vulnerable groups.
- Ability to liaise with multi-disciplinary teams and external providers.
- Previous roles in customer service, social care, or health settings would be an advantage.
- Ability to negotiate in order for securing placements and managing provider relationships.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to tailor messages to different audiences (e.g., social workers, providers, families).
- Ability to manage multiple cases, prioritise tasks, and work to tight deadlines, often under pressure.
- Experience in managing complex caseloads and maintaining accurate records.
- Good understanding of Children's social care.
- Awareness of SEND provision.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Teams, SharePoint, etc.), data analysis, and using placement management systems (e.g., CONTROCC).
- Ability to create dashboards, analyse KPIs, and use spreadsheets for tracking and reporting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Brokerage Officer - Children's services
✨Get Involved in Community Events
Dive headfirst into community events and social work fairs in your area. These are great opportunities to connect with potential employers like Vibe Recruit, grab some insider info, and showcase your passion for social work. Plus, meeting people face-to-face can really make you stand out!
✨Join Social Work Networks
Tap into social work networks and online communities, like local charities and organisations. Engaging in discussions or volunteering can help you build a strong reputation and could lead to part-time roles just like the one at Vibe Recruit. The connections you make could be the key to landing your next opportunity!
✨Make Your Passion Shine
When approaching part-time roles, be sure to highlight your passion for social issues in conversations and informal chats. Bring your experiences to life through storytelling – this can resonate well with organisations looking for someone who genuinely cares about making a difference!
✨Keep an Eye on Local Job Boards
Part-time roles in social work might not always be advertised in the usual places. Keep checking local job boards or community centres for openings, and don't hesitate to apply directly through Vibe Recruit's website – we love seeing proactive candidates who take the initiative!
We think you need these skills to ace Brokerage Officer - Children's services
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let your passion for social work shine through. Talk about why you're drawn to this field and how you've been involved in community service or support roles. We want to see your commitment and the heart you bring to the table!
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to spotlight any hands-on experience you have! Whether it's internships, volunteering, or relevant coursework, detail how your past experiences relate to the role at Vibe Recruit. We love seeing candidates who have practical skills and a real understanding of social issues.
Certificates and Training Matter:If you've got any relevant certifications or training specific to social work (like safeguarding training or counselling qualifications), don’t forget to include these in your CV! These details can set you apart and show us you’re serious about your professional development.
Be Flexible with Your Availability:Since this is a part-time role, explain your availability clearly in your application. Let us know when you can start and how many hours you’re looking to work. Being upfront about your schedule will help us see how you fit into the team at Vibe Recruit.
How to prepare for a job interview at Vibe Recruit
✨Show Your Passion for Helping Others
In social work, it's all about your commitment to making a difference. Be ready to share specific experiences that highlight your passion for helping others, whether that's through volunteering, placements, or personal stories. We want to see that genuine drive during your chat with Vibe Recruit.
✨Know Your Social Work Theories
You might be quizzed on social work theories or models that inform your practice, like the person-in-environment approach. Brush up on these concepts and be prepared to discuss how you'd apply them in a practical setting. This could be a game changer in your interview for a Brokerage Officer - Children's services at Vibe Recruit.
✨Flexibility and Availability are Key
As you're going for a part-time role, highlight your flexibility and how it would fit with the organisation's needs. Have examples ready that demonstrate your availability for various shifts or urgent situations—that's just gold for a social work role.
✨Prepare for a Situation-Based Discussion
Expect scenario-based questions where you'll need to demonstrate how you'd handle specific situations with clients or stakeholders. Think of a couple of real-life scenarios you've encountered and articulate your thought process. This will show Vibe Recruit that you're ready to hit the ground running in the Brokerage Officer - Children's services role.
