At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage referrals and placements, ensuring the best matches for children in residential care.
- Company: A growing children's residential provider with a focus on positive outcomes.
- Benefits: Up to £55,000 salary, hybrid working, performance bonuses, and professional development.
- Other info: Join a forward-thinking team dedicated to safeguarding and improving young people's outcomes.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while advancing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in children's residential care or related fields, strong relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 55000 € per year.
Children’s Residential Services
Hybrid Working | South East / London
Salary: Up to £55,000 per annum plus performance related bonus
Full Time | Permanent
Are you a commercially aware, relationship-driven professional with a strong understanding of children’s residential care and Local Authority commissioning? We are recruiting for an experienced Placements Manager to join a growing and ambitious children’s residential provider operating across multiple homes. This is a pivotal role sitting at the centre of occupancy growth, placement stability, safeguarding, and relationship management.
This position would suit someone with experience within children’s residential care at Deputy Manager level or above, or someone already working within referrals, commissioning, placements, or occupancy management. This is not simply an administrative role. We are looking for someone who genuinely understands the realities of children’s residential care, therapeutic matching, safeguarding responsibilities, and the pressures facing both Local Authorities and providers.
The Role
You will act as the first point of contact for all incoming referrals and placement enquiries, building strong relationships with commissioners, social workers, and placing teams while ensuring every placement is appropriately matched to the needs of both the young person and the existing home environment. Working closely with Registered Managers and senior leadership, you will help drive occupancy across the organisation whilst maintaining quality, stability, and safe outcomes for children and young people. The role offers a genuine hybrid structure, combining remote working with operational collaboration and relationship management.
Key Responsibilities
- Managing all incoming referrals and placement enquiries across residential homes
- Assessing referrals against Statements of Purpose, occupancy levels, and risk factors
- Liaising with Registered Managers regarding placement suitability
- Building strong relationships with Local Authority commissioners, placing teams, and sector professionals
- Managing occupancy pipelines and referral tracking systems
- Supporting placement stability and smooth admissions processes
- Attending commissioning meetings, networking events, and sector forums
- Supporting service growth and occupancy strategies
- Ensuring safeguarding, confidentiality, and GDPR standards are maintained at all times
- Contributing to placement reviews and multi-agency meetings where required
About You
To be considered, you will ideally have:
- Experience within children’s residential care, referrals, commissioning, or placement coordination
- Strong knowledge of the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and safeguarding frameworks
- Excellent understanding of Local Authority placement and commissioning processes
- Strong relationship-building and communication skills
- Experience managing multiple referrals and competing priorities
- A commercially aware and solution-focused mindset
- Confidence working with CRM systems, reporting tools, and databases
- A genuine passion for improving outcomes for children and young people
Requirements
Desirable
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management in Residential Childcare
- Existing relationships with Local Authority commissioners and placing teams
- Experience within occupancy growth, tendering, or framework engagement
- Knowledge of therapeutic or EBD care models
- Experience working across multiple homes or services
Benefits
What’s on Offer
- Salary up to £55,000 per annum
- Hybrid working structure
- Performance-related bonus
- Opportunity to play a key role within a growing provider
- Ongoing professional development and training
- Supportive and forward-thinking leadership team
- A genuinely rewarding opportunity to influence positive outcomes for young people
The organisation is fully committed to safer recruitment practices and safeguarding standards within children’s residential care. All recruitment and placement decisions are made with the welfare, safety, and stability of children and young people at the centre of the process. The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate a strong understanding of safeguarding responsibilities, safer recruitment principles, risk management, and professional boundaries within an Ofsted-regulated environment. This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, and verification of right to work in the UK.
Placements Manager in London employer: YOURRECRUIT LIMITED
Join a dynamic and ambitious children's residential provider that prioritises the welfare and stability of young people. With a hybrid working model, competitive salary, and a performance-related bonus, this role offers not only a chance to influence positive outcomes but also ongoing professional development within a supportive leadership team. Experience a fulfilling work culture that values relationship-building and collaboration with Local Authorities and sector professionals in the heart of the South East/London.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Placements Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the children's residential care sector. Attend events, join forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to Local Authority commissioners and social workers. Building those relationships can really set you apart.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for the role! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to express your genuine interest in improving outcomes for children and young people. Share your experiences and how they align with the values of the organisation.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared for those tricky questions! Brush up on your knowledge of the Children’s Homes Regulations and safeguarding frameworks. You want to demonstrate that you’re not just familiar with the theory but also understand how it applies in real-life scenarios.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got a streamlined process that makes it easy for you to showcase your skills and experience. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and making a difference in children’s residential care.
We think you need these skills to ace Placements Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in children's residential care and relationship management. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Placements Manager, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Show Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for improving outcomes for children and young people shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who genuinely cares about making a difference, so share any personal experiences or motivations that drive you in this field.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that directly address the key responsibilities and requirements outlined in the job description. Avoid fluff and focus on what makes you the best fit for the role!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at YOURRECRUIT LIMITED
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and safeguarding frameworks. Being able to discuss these in detail will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but understand how it applies in practice.
✨Build Relationships
Since this role is all about relationship management, think of examples where you've successfully built strong connections with Local Authority commissioners or social workers. Be ready to share how you navigated challenges and maintained those relationships.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous roles in children’s residential care, especially if you’ve worked at a Deputy Manager level or above. Highlight specific instances where you managed referrals or placements, focusing on your problem-solving skills and outcomes.
✨Be Solution-Focused
Demonstrate your commercially aware mindset by discussing how you’ve contributed to occupancy growth or improved placement stability in past roles. Think of creative solutions you’ve implemented and be ready to share them during the interview.
