In ECC we are "Serious about Social Work". Having recently won the Best Social Work Employer of the Year Award 2018 and been awarded 'Outstanding' by Ofsted this is an exciting time to join us. As if that wasn't enough, Essex has also been announced as a Partner in Practice by the Department of Education, and the Essex Social Care Academy (ESCA) is the only Local Authority team in the country to be accredited by BASW as a CPD provider. We have invested in our workforce and created a positive environment for our social workers to make a difference and achieve change for our most vulnerable children and families through direct relationship-based social work practice. We have supported our staff to have an understanding of systemic theoretical framework and models underpinning our interventions; to have access to the right tools, equipment and resources; and also the right supervision, training and learning opportunities they need to be strong practitioners.

The Placement Officer is part of a team working to identify, match and commission suitable in house or external placements, care and support packages for children and young people in care and those in need of support or accommodation. The Placement Officer will have extensive contact with children's social workers, foster carers and other placement providers to ensure placements are identified and well matched, as well as completing the administrative processes associated with placement making.

The post will require working as part of a duty team to respond to same day emergencies, as well as holding an allocation of referrals for ongoing placement searching/matching.

You will also be part of the CYPPS Quadrant Linking to an assigned Quadrant along with other team colleagues. This will require you to be able to travel to/from other Quadrant Offices across Essex.

Key Accountabilities

Liaise with social workers, foster carers and placement providers to identify carefully matched placements, care and support packages in accordance with the child/young person's care plan, that considers the child/young person's health, education, cultural, ethnic, religious and therapeutic needs.

Hold a caseload of placement finding activity, ensuring that identified placements offer the child/young person care and support in a safe and stable environment that complies with all required regulation i.e. Ofsted.

Responsible for ensuring all relevant documentation i.e. referral, risk assessment, care plan is received from the child/young person's allocated social worker and as appropriate this is shared with the foster carer/care provider.

Complete agreed administrative processes, notifications and recordings on placements being made.

Build strong working relationships across the Council, providers, members of other statutory and organisations and voluntary agencies.

Educated to RQF level 3 (GCSE) or equivalent by experience.

Evidence of development within role and knowledge in the relevant professional area.

Experience of working in a supportive relationship with children, young people, carers and families.

An awareness of problems and issues that can impact on children and families e.g. trauma, neglect, poverty, bereavement, disability.

Ability to assess and match children and young people's needs to appropriate placements, understanding and using risk assessments in placement finding activity, in consultation with senior staff within the Placement Service.

Experience of collaborating with other professionals and agencies for the benefit of children/young people.

Competence in the use of all forms of IT and the ability to communicate clearly, both written and verbal.

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.