At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage referrals and placements, ensuring the best matches for children's needs.
- 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 supportive team dedicated to improving outcomes for young people.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in children's care, strong relationship-building skills, and knowledge of safeguarding.
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
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.
YourRecruit Ltd does not discriminate on the grounds of age, race, gender or disability and complies with all relevant UK legislation.
Placements & Occupancy Manager – Children's Care employer: YourRecruit
Join a dynamic and supportive team as a Placements & Occupancy Manager in Children's Care, where your expertise will directly contribute to improving the lives of young people. With a competitive salary of up to £55,000, a performance-related bonus, and a hybrid working model, we prioritise your work-life balance while fostering professional growth through ongoing training and development. Our forward-thinking leadership and commitment to safeguarding create a rewarding environment for those passionate about making a difference in children's residential care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Placements & Occupancy Manager – Children's Care
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the children's care sector. Attend events, join forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Be proactive in your job search. Instead of waiting for job postings, directly contact organisations you admire. Express your interest in potential roles and share how your experience aligns with their mission. You never know when a position might open up!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by understanding the specific challenges in children's residential care. Brush up on your knowledge of Local Authority processes and safeguarding frameworks. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re someone who gets the realities of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We make it easy for you to showcase your skills and passion for improving outcomes for children and young people. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves.
We think you need these skills to ace Placements & Occupancy Manager – Children's Care
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:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
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. Familiarise yourself with the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and understand the Local Authority commissioning processes. This will show that you’re not just a candidate, but someone who genuinely understands the field.
✨Build Relationships
Since this role is all about relationship management, think about how you can demonstrate your ability to build strong connections. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you successfully collaborated with social workers, commissioners, or other professionals in the sector. This will highlight your interpersonal skills.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Be ready to discuss how you've tackled challenges in previous roles, especially those related to occupancy growth or placement stability. Think of specific situations where you had to manage competing priorities or find solutions under pressure. This will illustrate your commercially aware and solution-focused mindset.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview. Inquire about the organisation's approach to safeguarding or how they measure success in occupancy growth. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the company aligns with your values and goals.
