Homefinding

Job Title: Step-Aside Project Home Finding Officer
Salary: £22 per hour
Location: Children’s Trust
Job Type: Temporary
Shifts: Mon – Fri, 37 hours per week

About the Role

The Step-Aside Project focuses on finding the right homes for children currently in residential care who are ready to transition into more cost-effective and appropriate settings whilst ensuring their individual needs continue to be met. This may include placement with foster carers, family members where appropriate and safe, or alternative accommodation providers.This is a fast-paced and rewarding role that plays a crucial part in supporting young people on their journey towards independence and achieving their full potential, whilst contributing to the Children’s Trust’s placement sufficiency and financial objectives.Working closely with the Step-Aside Team Manager, you will help identify and secure stable, nurturing homes for children and young people, coordinating the home-finding process from referral through to placement.

Key Responsibilities

• Work as a member of a small, dedicated team contributing to the objectives and success of the Step-Aside Project.
• Lead and manage an allocated caseload of specialist home-finding requests, including residential, fostering and supported accommodation placements.
• Match young people with appropriate placements based on their assessed needs, risks and readiness to move on from residential care settings.
• Provide professional advice and guidance to referrers regarding suitable placement options and support services.
• Ensure all recommendations are compliant with relevant childcare legislation, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Establish and coordinate virtual working groups with Social Work teams to maintain oversight of the placement-finding process.
• Complete due diligence activities and liaise with regulatory bodies as required.
• Coordinate BERRI assessments alongside Social Work teams to assess readiness for transition and identify support needs.
• Support the securing of Head of Service and Director-level approvals where necessary.
• Contribute to service development initiatives under the direction of the Team Manager and Head of Service, Commissioning & Provider Services.
• Maintain accurate records and work effectively within deadlines in a high-volume environment.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• NVQ Level 3 qualification (or equivalent) in Health & Social Care, Education, Business Administration or a related field.
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience working within children’s social care, fostering, residential care, or related children and family services.
• Experience of working within a fast-paced allocation, brokerage or placement-finding environment.
• Experience working collaboratively with multi-agency professionals and partner organisations.
• Knowledge and understanding of childcare legislation and regulations relating to placements and children’s services.
• Strong administrative, organisational and IT skills.
• An understanding of project management principles.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to assess information, prioritise workload and make informed decisions.
• A proactive and solution-focused approach to supporting positive outcomes for children and young people.

Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organisational and case coordination abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Effective problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong attention to detail and administrative accuracy.
• Collaborative and partnership-focused approach.
• Commitment to achieving positive outcomes for children and young people.

Why Join HCRG Staffing?

HCRG Staffing is one of the UK’s leading healthcare and social care recruitment agencies. With over 20 years of experience, we provide access to a wide range of exclusive opportunities across the public and private sectors. We are committed to supporting our candidates throughout their careers, offering competitive pay rates, flexible working opportunities and ongoing professional development.

HCRG Staffing is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications regardless of sex, age, race, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, religion and belief, pregnancy and maternity, or disability.