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 committed to safeguarding and improving children'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.
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
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
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
Join a forward-thinking children's residential provider that prioritises the welfare and stability of young people while offering a supportive and collaborative work environment. With a competitive salary, hybrid working options, and a commitment to ongoing professional development, this role as a Placements Manager provides an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people across the South East and London. Be part of a growing organisation where your expertise in relationship management and safeguarding will be valued and rewarded.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Placements Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, workshops, and seminars related to children's residential care. Building relationships with Local Authority commissioners and social workers can give you a leg up when it comes to landing that Placements Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Be proactive in your approach. Don’t just wait for job postings; reach out directly to organisations you admire. Express your interest in their work and ask about potential opportunities. You never know what might come up!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Prepare to discuss your experience with safeguarding, therapeutic matching, and occupancy management in detail during interviews. Use real-life examples to demonstrate how you've made a positive impact in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our mission to improve outcomes for children and young people.
We think you need these skills to ace Placements Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Placements Manager role. Highlight your experience in children's residential care and any relevant relationships you've built with Local Authorities.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed placements or built strong relationships in the past.
Showcase Your Knowledge:Demonstrate your understanding of the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and safeguarding frameworks in your application. This will show us that you’re not just ticking boxes but genuinely understand the sector.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people and shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at YourRecruit
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of children’s residential care and the relevant regulations. Understanding the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and safeguarding frameworks will show that you’re serious about the role and can handle the responsibilities.
✨Build Relationships
Since this role is all about relationship management, think about how you can demonstrate your ability to build strong connections with Local Authority commissioners and social workers. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you successfully managed relationships or resolved conflicts.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Awareness
Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to occupancy growth and placement stability. Think of specific strategies or ideas you’ve implemented in previous roles that align with the organisation's goals. This will highlight your commercially aware mindset.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. Prepare for scenarios related to managing multiple referrals or ensuring safeguarding standards. Practising your responses will help you feel more confident during the interview.
