At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead placements and commissioning for children's residential services in Southeast London.
- Company: A 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 while shaping occupancy strategies.
- Qualifications: Experience in children's residential care and strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 55000 £ per year.
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 Slough employer: YourRecruit
As a leading children's residential care provider in Southeast London, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and autonomous work environment that empowers our employees to make a genuine impact in the lives of children and young people. With competitive salaries, performance-related bonuses, and ongoing professional development opportunities, we are committed to nurturing talent and driving growth within our expanding organisation. Join us to shape occupancy strategies across multiple homes while building strong relationships with local authorities in a role that offers both challenge and reward.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Placements & Commissioning - Children's Residential Services in Slough
✨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 in managing referrals and occupancy. Make sure they know you’re the go-to person for building strong commissioner relationships.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out to organisations directly through our website and express your interest in working with them. You never know when an opportunity might arise!
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of relevant regulations and standards. Being able to discuss the Children's Homes Regulations 2015 confidently will set you apart from the competition.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Placements & Commissioning - Children's Residential Services in Slough
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 drive occupancy growth. 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 avoid jargon and get straight to the point. This will make it easier for us to understand your qualifications and fit for 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 to do!
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’re not just familiar with the rules, but that you can apply them in real-world scenarios.
✨Showcase Your Relationships
Prepare to talk about your existing relationships with Local Authority commissioners. Highlight specific examples of how you've built and maintained these connections, as this role heavily relies on strong partnerships for success.
✨Demonstrate Your Strategic Thinking
Think about how you would drive occupancy growth across multiple homes. Be ready to share your ideas on occupancy strategies and how you would manage referrals effectively. This shows that you’re proactive and have a clear vision for the role.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your decision-making skills regarding placement suitability and risk assessment. Prepare some scenarios from your past experience where you had to make tough decisions, and explain your thought process clearly.
