Job Title: Head of Childrens Placements
Contract Type: Full time, permanent
Location: Bishops Stortford
Salary: £80,000 - £100,000
White Trees group is owned and operated by SureCare Residential Ltd. We are a leading provider of therapeutic children's homes and bespoke education services for vulnerable children and young people across England. Our mission is to provide stability, safety and opportunity for every child in our care with our therapeutic approach.
We are seeking a Head of Children's Placements to join our senior leadership team and drive high quality, child centered placement services across our residential homes and specialist educational settings. Our mission is to provide stability, safety and opportunity for every child in our care.
Are you passionate about improving outcomes for looked after children? Do you have strategic and operational experience to lead placements, admissions, procurement and contracts for a growing, values-driven children’s homes and education provider?
The Role:
You will play a key role in the successful placement of children and young people in The Whitetrees Group. Operating as the central point of contact for referrals to all spot purchasing teams, the post requires prompt and consistent responses to local authorities and other agencies. You would be required to liaise with fostering, residential and SEND Operations and Commissioning teams to deliver high quality recommendations for placements and transitions within the required timescales. You would also be responsible for collating, analysing and interpreting a range of data relating to referrals and placements.
Responsibilities:
-Develop, implement and communicate strategy, policy and operational business plans across the wider area of Children Placement Services
-Forge strong relationships with the Local Authorities and ensure processes are in place to meet statutory and national responsibilities relating to children and young people
-Work collaboratively with internal and external partners on the development of key strategies and programmes to improve the well being of young people entering our care
Attributes:
-To lead and manage the end to end placements process, including referrals, admissions, matching and onboarding
-Be able to develop and maintain strong relationships with local authorities, commissioners and placement teams
-Oversee placement contracts, framework agreements and procurement activity, ensuring compliance and best value
-Lead data driven placement planning and forecasting, work closely with operational and education leaders
-Champion excellent outcomes and safeguarding for looked after children at every stage of the placement journey
We are seeking an individual who has the following qualities and skill set:
-To understand the organisations Ethos which underpins our work, our mission including our objectives
-Be able to develop a deep understanding of the needs for each of our services, capacity and current occupancy
-Work with relevant managers to understand their preferences and suitability for different type of placements
-Significant experience in placements, admissions or commissioning within children's social care
-Strong understanding of contracts, frameworks and procurement processes relevant to looked after children
-Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to build trust with partners and professionals
-To have a child centered approach, with a commitment to improving outcomes for vulnerable children
-Leadership experience, with the ability to manage teams and collaborate cross functionally
Benefits:
-Referral programme
-Contributory Pension Scheme (3% Employer Contribution)
-Employee Assistance Support - supplied via WhiteTrees through an Independent Company
-Blue Light Discount - All staff are eligible for this discount in High Street Retailers & Restaurants
-Holidays/Annual Leave - All staff receive 28 days holiday and you will receive additional leave after 3 years service
-On site parking