Placements Officer

Children’s Placements Officer Birmingham Children’s Trust
Grade C

Working Together to make Birmingham the greatest city to grow up in.

Birmingham Children’s Trust is looking for a dedicated and highly organised Children’s Placements Officer to join our Placements Finding Service. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced social care professional to play a vital role in securing safe, appropriate, and positive placements for vulnerable children and young people across Birmingham.

At Birmingham Children’s Trust, every member of staff plays an important role in improving outcomes for children, young people, and families. We are passionate about delivering high-quality services through compassion, collaboration, innovation, and strong professional relationships.

About the Role As a Children’s Placements Officer, you will work as part of a specialist team responsible for identifying, negotiating, and coordinating suitable placements and services for children and young people. You will work closely with social workers, carers, providers, and partner agencies to ensure children receive the right support at the right time.

The role requires excellent communication, decision-making, and organisational skills, alongside the ability to work effectively under pressure and manage competing priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and coordinate appropriate fostering, residential, emergency, and specialist placements for children and young people.
• Provide professional advice and guidance to referrers regarding suitable placement options and services.
• Work collaboratively with internal teams, external providers, and partner agencies to achieve the best outcomes for children and families.
• Ensure placements appropriately consider health, education, culture, religion, gender, language, and individual care needs.
• Maintain accurate electronic records, reports, and case information using relevant databases and recording systems.
• Participate in meetings, reviews, planning discussions, and court-related processes where required.
• Support best value and effective resource management when sourcing placements and services.
• Develop knowledge of available services and contribute to improving placement provision across the Trust.
• Promote safeguarding, equality, diversity, inclusion, and anti-discriminatory practice at all times.

About You We are looking for candidates who have:

• Experience working within children’s social care, fostering, residential care, or related support services.
• Experience working in fast-paced environments and managing deadlines effectively.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Knowledge of child development, safeguarding, and different care placement options.
• The ability to assess information, balance risk, and match services to identified needs.
• Experience using IT systems, electronic databases, and case recording systems.
• Excellent report writing, negotiation, and organisational skills.
• A flexible and solution-focused approach to work.

Essential Qualifications

• GCSE Grade 1-3 (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics.
• NVQ/OCF Level 3 in Caring for Children & Young People or a recognised equivalent qualification.

Why Join Birmingham Children’s Trust? At Birmingham Children’s Trust, we are committed to creating an environment where staff feel valued, supported, and empowered to make a difference.

Our values are at the heart of everything we do:

• One Team
• Accountability and Responsibility
• Quality and Innovation
• Relationships
• High Support, High Challenge

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff to share this commitment.

Safeguarding checks will be required for this role.

To apply or find out more, please contact:
john.deane@servicecare.org.uk