Placement Support Worker

Placement Support Worker
Location: Barnsley
Client: Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
Contract Type: Temporary (3 months)
Hours: Full time (37 hours)
Salary: £16.35 per hour (Umbrella)
About the Role
The Placement Support Worker will assist the placement team in identifying and maintaining suitable placements for children and young people entering care. The role requires a strong understanding of brokerage and placement processes, with a commitment to working onsite three days per week.
Key Responsibilities

• Identify suitable placements in consultation with internal stakeholders and managers.
• Maintain and update placement databases and spreadsheets.
• Support contract completion and monitor compliance with independent fostering and residential providers.
• Process payments to providers accurately and promptly.
• Contribute to the accreditation process for providers within the White Rose consortium.
• Conduct satisfaction surveys to inform future placement planning.
• Maintain regular contact with independent service providers across the borough.
• Attend meetings and follow up on placement-related actions.
• Provide data and information for internal reports and external enquiries.
• Support placement panels and follow through on agreed actions.
• Participate in supervision, training, and personal development.
• Adhere to the six Caldicott Principles.

Experience & Knowledge

• Extensive experience in administrative support to children’s services or direct work with children and families (e.g., family support or youth work).
• Experience working with digital payment or performance systems.
• Familiarity with children’s services or related fields.
• Knowledge of care planning regulations, especially regarding out-of-authority placements.
• Confidence with financial management systems (BMBC or willingness to learn).
• Knowledge of EXCEL and spreadsheet management.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong negotiating and organisational skills.
• Excellent IT and communication skills.
• Ability to prioritise and manage workloads effectively.
• Skilled in developing and maintaining spreadsheet-based data systems.
• Capable of working independently and collaboratively.
• Proficient in producing verbal and written reports using statistical data.

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to work flexibly to meet council needs.
• Commitment to ongoing training and professional development.
• Alignment with council values and behaviours.
• Ability to travel as required for the role.

Additional Benefits

• Opportunity to contribute to meaningful work supporting vulnerable children and young people.
• Experience within a collaborative local authority team.
• Professional development and training opportunities.

If you are interested in the role and would like to contact me for further information on the role you can contact myself on the details below.

At Service Care Solutions we also offer a £250 bonus for referrals! If you think you know someone who would be ideal for this role and they are placed in the job you will then receive £250 at the end of their probationary period.

To apply for this role, or to refer someone else, then please do not hesitate to contact Jack at Service Care Solutions on 01772208964 or email on Jack.Lonsdale@Servicecare.org.uk