At a Glance
- Tasks: Support teams in placing children in suitable homes and sourcing urgent support staff.
- Company: Sandwell Children’s Trust, a Good Provider dedicated to improving children's lives.
- Benefits: Generous leave, birthday off, competitive salary, and flexible working patterns.
- Other info: Hybrid working with a supportive team and commitment to safeguarding.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while enjoying excellent career progression.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 or equivalent and 2 years' experience in social care.
The predicted salary is between 37280 - 41771 € per year.
Sandwell Children’s Trust, rated as a Good Provider, is committed to improving the lives of children. We offer a supportive environment that is described in our Sandwell Deal.
Benefits & Salary
- Generous annual leave of up to 31 days, plus 5 additional days for long‑service recognition.
- Birthday off paid in addition to annual leave entitlement and 8 Bank Holidays, plus a concessionary day at Christmas.
- Local government career average pension scheme with employer contributions of 21.6%.
- Service awards at 2, 5, 10 and every 5 years thereafter.
- Flexible working patterns and well‑defined career progression.
- Competitive expenses for mileage (55p per mile) and subsistence, plus access to a comprehensive employee benefits scheme.
- Salary – Grade F: £37,280 – £41,771 per annum plus excellent benefits.
- Hybrid working: 37 hours per week.
Role Summary
The Home Finding Officer supports the operational teams by placing children in suitable homes, including residential homes, foster care and supported accommodation for older young people aged 16+. The officer also sources support staff for families needing urgent assistance.
Key Responsibilities
- Contribute to the key objectives and all aspects of the work of the Home Finding Service.
- Lead and be responsible for an allocated number of home‑finding requests (e.g. residential, fostering, assessment, emergency and supported accommodation) for young people as allocated by the manager.
- Deliver professional advice to referrers to assist in the identification of suitable placements, ensuring positive outcomes, minimising risk and meeting child needs.
- Ensure due‑diligence activity, liaison with regulatory bodies, and secure necessary approvals.
- Lead discreet service development activity under the direction of the Team Manager and Head of Service.
Required Skills & Experience
- NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in health, social care, education, business administration or similar.
- Minimum 2 years of experience in an organisation in the social care field, fostering, residential or other settings with children & families.
- Experience of paced allocation work (e.g. home-finding brokerage) and working to deadlines.
- Minimum 1 year working in partnership with colleagues from other disciplines and agencies.
- Knowledge of relevant childcare and other legislation.
- Excellent administrative and IT skills.
- Knowledge of project management.
Interview Dates
Interviews to be held on 10th & 11th June.
Contact
Informal discussion: Martyn Baggaley – martyn_baggaley@sandwellchildrenstrust.org
Further information: recruitment_childrenstrust@sandwell.gov.uk – a member of our Recruitment Team will be happy to give you a call.
Application
To apply please visit https://sandwelldeal.co.uk/apply/. Sandwell Children’s Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable groups including children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. An enhanced DBS check will be required for this role.
Home Finding Officers in Oldbury employer: WMJobs
Sandwell Children’s Trust is an excellent employer dedicated to enhancing the lives of children within a supportive and collaborative environment. With generous annual leave, a strong pension scheme, and flexible working patterns, employees are encouraged to grow professionally while making a meaningful impact in the community. The Trust's commitment to employee well-being and career progression makes it an attractive place for those seeking rewarding employment in social care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Home Finding Officers in Oldbury
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research Sandwell Children’s Trust and understand their mission and values. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend local events related to social care. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Think about the key responsibilities of a Home Finding Officer and come up with examples from your experience that demonstrate your skills. Practising common interview questions can also help you feel more confident.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Sandwell Children’s Trust.
We think you need these skills to ace Home Finding Officers in Oldbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the Home Finding Officer role. We want to see how you can contribute to improving the lives of children, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant experience!
Showcase Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for working in social care shine through! We’re looking for candidates who are genuinely committed to making a difference, so share any personal stories or motivations that drive you to apply for this position.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key points stand out. This will help us quickly see why you’re a great fit for the role!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application via our website! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the Home Finding Officer position. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at WMJobs
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of childcare legislation and the specific responsibilities of a Home Finding Officer. Familiarise yourself with Sandwell Children’s Trust's values and how they align with your own experience in social care.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your past experiences in social care, particularly any work related to home-finding or fostering. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've successfully placed children in suitable homes and collaborated with other professionals.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Come prepared with questions that show your interest in the role and the organisation. Inquire about their approach to service development or how they support staff in managing challenging cases. This shows you're engaged and serious about contributing to their mission.
✨Be Yourself
While it's important to be professional, don’t forget to let your personality shine through. The interviewers want to see if you'll fit into their supportive environment, so be genuine and express your passion for improving the lives of children.
