Brighter Futures for Children

Full time, Permanent post
Agile/Hybrid Working

We would be happy to consider your application if you are interested in a trainee post.

About us
Brighter Futures for Children is a not-for-profit company, owned by, but independent of, Reading Borough Council. Although we are independent, we are very much part of the Reading Family. Our people enjoy all of benefits as other Council employees including membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme and continuous service.

We work closely with partners in the local community and key organisations including Reading Borough Council, policy, public health and voluntary groups. We are responsible for the delivery of children’s social care, early help & prevention, education services (including SEND). This also includes fostering and adoption, the Youth Offending Service and traded services with schools.

Our main aim is to protect and enhance the lives of the children of Reading. We help families find long-term solutions to ensure children lead happy, healthy and successful lives.

The Role
Do you consider yourself a solution finder and a negotiator, if yes, our commission team needs you. The Outcome Focussed Placements Officer will co-ordinate and manage all placement requests for Looked After Children (LAC) including those with multiple and complex needs and children with special educational needs. This post is open to both non-experienced (trainee role) and experienced candidates.

You will negotiate in consideration of the achievement of the best outcomes for children and young people.

Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate records through data collection
• Ensure that placement options provide a best match to needs and outcomes in relation to accommodation, education and health, provide value for money and are carried out in accordance with the Human Rights Act 1998
• Understand and apply company and department procedures and practice to ensure that corporate social responsibility (equalities, sustainability, transparency, ethical, health and safety and social value) is at the core of all placement negotiations.
• To be proactive in workload management, prioritise placement searches as required and liaising with referring officers around service delivery expectations.
• Attend professionals’ meetings as agreed
• Ensure placement searches can be completed in a timely, effective and efficient manner
• Ensure placements are made as close to the borough as possible
• Support the collation of monitoring and recording of achievements in order to ensure the service is financially self-sustaining.
  
  

Essential Qualifications:

• Good general education with Maths and English to A-level standard
  
  

 Essential knowledge, skills and experience

• Experience of the impact and understanding of the principles of good care/support to vulnerable clients
• Experience of achieving better value for money
• Experience of working within a similar working environment, matching criteria to identified need.
• Commercial skills - experience of working in a fast-paced environment with a cost focused service
• Experience of IT data systems.

Our Offer:
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Incremental holidays starting with 25 days plus public holidays (rising to 32 after 10 years’ service)
• Discounted Child Care (on site nursery)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Season ticket loans
• A range of local discounts
• Salary sacrifice car lease scheme
• Remote/Agile working
  
  

Closing date: 9 April 2023

Interview date: 25 April 2023

Contact details for an informal discussion:

Bronaugh Cowen-Seagrove - bronaugh.cowen-seagrove@brighterfuturesforchildren.org

We look forward to hearing from you!