Senior Placement Officer (CSC)

Senior Placement Officer (CSC)

At Cheshire East we’re making significant, tangible investments in our foundations. This includes strengthening our commissioning function, expanding workforce development and creating clearer, more ambitious pathways. To realise these ambitions, we’re seeking ambitious and flexible individuals who want to help us shape the future.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Placement Officer (CSC) based at Delamere House, Crewe.

This is an exciting opportunity to undertake as the technical lead within the CSC function, providing oversight, professional challenge and support to Brokerage Officers, and ensuring timely and appropriate responses to demand.

About the Role

The job purpose is to lead on the coordination, sourcing and negotiation of CSC provision for children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). The job holder will manage complex brokerage activity, including specialist education, alternative provision, therapies and support packages, ensuring arrangements are c ost-effective, outcome-focused and compliant with statutory requirements.

The successful candidate will:

• Lead the brokerage of complex, high cost or high risk CSC packages, including independent/non maintained specialist settings, AP components, therapies and intensive support arrangements.
• Interpret EHCP’s professional assessments and multi-agency evidence to create clear commissioning specifications for providers.
• Lead provider searched and market engagement, identifying viable options, securing availability and negotiating terms.
• Ensue accurate cost modelling and value for money assessments are undertaken for all packages and negotiate fees, uplifts, spot purchase arrangements and contract variations within approved financial limits.
• Triangulate brokerage options with Quality Assurance information, provider ratings, embargoes and risk assessments.
• Work closely with CSC casework, Education, Health partners (ICB), Social care and commissioning colleagues to ensure timely and appropriate decision-making.
• Contribute to multi-agency panels as required.
• Identify trends in demand, cost, gaps in the market and provider performance concerns.
• Contribute to the development of brokerage, templates, tools and market-development activity.

The successful candidate will bring:

• Evidence of CPD relevant to CSC, commissioning, negotiation or brokerage.
• Significant experience of CSC brokerage placement sourcing, contract negotiation or complex case coordination.
• Strong understanding of CSC Code of Practice, EHCP processes, specialist school markets, and alternative provision.
• Ability to apply analytical techniques to identify trends, risks and insights.
• Working knowledge of procurement principles, information governance, safeguarding and equality duties.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Ability to analyse needs and risks Confident professional challenge, excellent communication and the ability to manage multiple cases under pressure.

In return we are able to offer:

• Enhanced annual leave - Start with an impressive 34 days of annual leave (including bank holidays) from day one, and watch it grow to 39 days after just five years of service
• Purchase of annual leave – Want more time off? You can purchase up to 10 extra days of annual leave each year, giving you the flexibility to balance work and life just the way you want (Pro-rata for part-time staff)
• Flexible working pattern - Enjoy a 37-hour standard full-time work week with the added perks of flexi-time and hybrid/remote working arrangements where possible. Your work-life balance just got a whole lot better
• Salary sacrifice green car scheme - Drive green and save green! Lease a brand-new electric or hybrid car through our salary sacrifice scheme. There’s no credit checks, no deposits, just significant savings and exclusive offers on a three-year lease
• White goods salary sacrifice scheme - Upgrade your home with ease. Purchase home and electronic items through our salary sacrifice scheme, spreading the cost of big-ticket purchases like appliances, computers, and tech gadgets directly from your salary
• Enhanced public pension - Secure your future with our career average pension, where contributions are built at a rate of 1/49th of your yearly pensionable pay
• Cycle to work scheme - Save up to 25-39% on the retail price of bikes and safety equipment through Income Tax and National Insurance savings. Get fit and save money!
• Employee assistance programme - Access a completely free and confidential assistance service to help manage, reduce, and overcome life’s challenges, both at work and in your personal life
• Discounted gym membership - Stay active and healthy with corporate membership prices for Everybody Leisure, including:
• Gym, Swim and Group Fitness at all 16 facilities
• Off-Peak Racket Sports
• Athletics Tracks
• Sauna/Steam/Spa

How to apply

We’re delighted that you’re considering applying for this role!

As an equal opportunities’ employer, we warmly welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We believe that a diverse workforce helps us better reflect and serve our local communities, and together, we can build something truly special.

To join our team, simply click ‘Apply for this job’ at the bottom of the page. If you’d prefer an informal chat first or have any questions about the role, feel free to reach out to Natalie Kelly at: natalie.kelly@cheshireeast.gov.uk, they will be happy to hear from you! Please remember to include the job reference so we know which role you are interested in.

Once you’ve applied for the position, please keep an eye on your email inbox (including your junk and spam folders), as we’ll send any correspondence there to stay in touch with updates about your application.

If you haven’t heard from us within four weeks of the closing date, it likely means we weren’t able to move forward with your application at this time but please don’t let this discourage you as your interest means a lot to us, and we’d truly love to hear from you again in the future!

External applications, including speculative submissions, cannot be accepted and will be declined.

We wish you all the best in your application and if you run into any technical issues, our friendly team are here to help at: childrenssocialcarerecruitment@cheshireeast.gov.uk

Cheshire East Council is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults across the Borough. As such, any cautions, convictions, reprimands or final warnings that are ‘not protected’ as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) order 1975 (as amended in 2013) relating to the non-disclosure of spent convictions do not apply to this job. You must therefore, disclose whether you have any previous convictions where prompted to do so within the application process.

Attachments

• Senior Placement Officer (CSC) Job Description and Specification.pdf