At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage referrals and placements in children's residential care while building strong relationships.
- Company: Ambitious children's residential provider with a focus on growth and quality.
- Benefits: Salary up to £55,000, hybrid working, performance bonuses, and professional development.
- Other info: Join a supportive team dedicated to safeguarding and improving outcomes for children.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in children's residential care or placement coordination is essential.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 55000 € per year.
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 employer: YOURRECRUIT LIMITED
Join a dynamic and supportive team as a Placements Manager in the South East/London, where you will play a crucial role in enhancing the lives of children and young people. With a competitive salary of up to £55,000, hybrid working options, and a commitment to ongoing professional development, this is an excellent opportunity for those passionate about making a difference in children's residential care. Our forward-thinking leadership fosters a collaborative work culture that prioritises safeguarding and positive outcomes, ensuring you thrive in your career while contributing to meaningful change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Placements Manager
✨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 insights to demonstrate that you truly understand the challenges and rewards of the job.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared for those tricky questions! Brush up on your knowledge of the Children’s Homes Regulations and safeguarding frameworks. Employers will want to know that you’re not just familiar with the theory but can apply it in real-life situations.
✨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 contributing to our mission in children's residential care.
We think you need these skills to ace Placements Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for children's residential care shine through. We want to see that you genuinely care about improving outcomes for young people and understand the challenges they face.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in children’s residential care, referrals, or commissioning. We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate their understanding of the sector, so be specific about your past roles and achievements.
Build Relationships:Since this role is all about relationship management, mention any existing connections you have with Local Authority commissioners or placing teams. We value strong relationships, so show us how you’ve built and maintained them in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates during the process. Let’s get started!
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 basics but have a solid understanding of the legalities and responsibilities involved in children’s residential care.
✨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’ve navigated challenges in these relationships and what strategies you used to maintain them.
✨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, and how you ensured quality and stability for the young people involved.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion
Let your genuine passion for improving outcomes for children and young people shine through. Share personal anecdotes or experiences that illustrate why this work matters to you, and how it drives your professional goals. This will help you connect with the interviewers on a deeper level.
