At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead placements and commissioning for children's residential services in Southeast London.
- Company: Growing children's residential care provider with ambitious expansion plans.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonus, and ongoing professional development.
- Other info: Supportive environment with genuine senior leadership influence.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and young people.
- Qualifications: Experience in children's residential care and strong stakeholder management skills.
A growing children's residential care provider is seeking an experienced and commercially focused Head of Placements & Commissioning to oversee occupancy and referrals across multiple children's homes located in Southeast London. This is a senior provider side role focused on building strong commissioner relationships, managing referrals, increasing occupancy, and ensuring high quality placement matching for children and young people. This is not a reactive placements role. We are looking for someone who can independently manage referrals, confidently engage with Local Authority commissioners, and drive occupancy strategy across multiple homes from day one.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage the full referrals pipeline across multiple children's homes
- Assess referrals against risk, compatibility, occupancy and safeguarding criteria
- Work closely with Registered Managers to confirm placement suitability
- Coordinate placement transitions and admissions
- Maintain accurate occupancy trackers and referral data
- Ensure compliance with Children's Homes Regulations 2015 and safeguarding frameworks
- Liaise with social workers, IROs, families and external professionals
Commissioner Relationships & Business Development
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with Local Authority commissioners
- Drive occupancy growth across the residential portfolio
- Attend commissioning forums and sector networking events
- Support framework applications and tender opportunities
- Provide market intelligence and occupancy insight to senior leadership
Placement Oversight
- Support stable placements and positive outcomes for young people
- Monitor placement stability and identify emerging risks early
- Contribute to placement reviews and professionals’ meetings
- Ensure Placement Plans remain accurate and up to date
Essential Requirements
- Significant experience within children's residential care, referrals, placements or commissioning
- Experience working at Deputy Manager level or above within children's residential services
- Strong knowledge of:
- Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015
- SCCIF
- Ofsted Quality Standards
- Safeguarding legislation
- Existing relationships with Local Authority commissioners across London and the Southeast
- Experience managing referrals and occupancy across multiple homes
- Ability to make confident placement decisions independently
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Highly organised with strong commercial awareness
- Enhanced DBS (or willingness to obtain)
- Full UK Driving Licence
Desirable
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management for Residential Childcare
- Tender writing or framework experience
- Knowledge of therapeutic or trauma-informed care models
- Existing commissioner relationships on the South Coast
- Multi-site residential care experience
What's on Offer
- £50,000 - £55,000 basic salary
- Performance related bonus scheme
- Genuine senior leadership influence
- Growing provider with ambitious expansion plans
- Ongoing professional development and CPD
- Opportunity to shape occupancy strategy across multiple homes
- Supportive and autonomous working environment
This organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to Enhanced DBS clearance, satisfactory references, and right to work checks.
Head of Placements & Commissioning - Children's Residential Services in London employer: YourRecruit
Join a dynamic and growing children's residential care provider in Southeast London, where you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young people. With a competitive salary, performance-related bonuses, and a supportive work culture that prioritises professional development, this role offers the chance to shape occupancy strategies across multiple homes while fostering strong relationships with Local Authority commissioners. Experience a fulfilling career in a collaborative environment that values your expertise and encourages autonomy.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Placements & Commissioning - Children's Residential Services in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend local events and forums related to children's residential services. This is your chance to meet commissioners and other professionals who can help you land that Head of Placements & Commissioning role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your experience with referrals and placements. Make sure they know you can confidently manage occupancy strategies from day one.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for job openings—create them! Reach out to organisations directly, especially those in Southeast London. Let them know you’re interested in working with them and how you can add value to their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep your online presence sharp! Update your LinkedIn profile to reflect your skills and experiences relevant to children's residential care. Engage with content related to the sector to show you're passionate and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Placements & Commissioning - Children's Residential Services in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Head of Placements & Commissioning. Highlight your experience in children's residential care and any relevant relationships with Local Authority commissioners. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage referrals and increase occupancy. This will help us see the impact you've made in previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, be clear and concise. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make sure your points are easy to understand. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at YourRecruit
✨Know Your Regulations
Make sure you brush up on the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Ofsted Quality Standards. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you understand the legal framework and can ensure compliance in your role.
✨Showcase Your Relationships
Highlight any existing relationships you have with Local Authority commissioners. This is a key part of the role, so being able to demonstrate your network and how you've successfully engaged with them in the past will set you apart.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about managing referrals and placement decisions. Think of specific examples from your experience where you’ve had to assess compatibility or manage risks, and be ready to discuss the outcomes.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Awareness
Be prepared to talk about how you would drive occupancy growth across multiple homes. Have some ideas ready on strategies you could implement and how you would use market intelligence to inform your decisions.
