Job SummaryWe are seeking an Placement Support Officer to work within Children's Services at Halton Borough Council. The role will be initially on a 3 month fixed term basis with the potential to be extended for the right candidate.
Duties1. Assist with the sourcing, monitoring and quality assuring placements for children and young people in the care of Halton Borough Council, which includes young people aged up to 18 and children with disabilities.
2 . Research and provide information that assists the Council in managing the market for services for children, young people and families to optimum effect.
3 Work closely with internal and external partners including Social Workers, providers of foster care, residential care organisations and colleagues across children's services, adult services, education and health.
4 Plan and undertake placement monitoring and quality assurance to ensure high quality placements are commissioned that offer value for money and improve outcomes for children and young people.
5. Assist in the management of the Children's Contract Commissioning in order to secure high quality, cost effective and customer care focussed external care contracts and service level agreements.
6. The role deals with emergency placement sourcing which must be arranged at short notice in pressurized situations as well as longer term planning of placements.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Source a portfolio of high quality, value for money and carefully selected placements based on short and long term requirements of children and young people's needs within the borough. This involves responding to placement requests, both planned and emergency.
2. The role will support the sourcing of foster care, residential care, leaving care and Special Educational Needs (SEN) independent school placements. These placement categories will be phased into the scope of the Centralised Placements Team.
3. Support the placement sourcing process for the agreed portfolio of placements ensuring best value. This will include the need to negotiate with providers, recording and monitoring against performance outcomes of placement providers; maintain robust records of agreements and supporting the resolution of any concerns or conflicts between providers, Halton and third parties.
4. Provide clear information to purchasers on the expected outputs of care contracts in order to ensure that better informed care packages can be put together.
5. Carry an allocated caseload of children and young people for placement finding and contracting and monitoring. This involves being responsible for ensuring that high quality placements are sourced according to team procedures and maintaining robust contract monitoring arrangements for all allocated cases.
6. Review, in conjunction with Senior Operational Managers, contract compliance and performance of service providers.
7. Ensure a close working relationship with the appropriate statutory bodies (OFSTED/CQC) in order that contract specifications reflect required care standards.
8. Record information in Individual Placement Agreements (IPAs) for all children and young people in placement which clarify the terms of the placement and expectations of the provider.
9. Develop and prepare contract specifications and service level agreements across all Childrens Services areas, which provide for high quality, cost effective and customer care focused contracts.
10. Draw up contract procedures in order to ensure that purchasers follow contractual requirements.
11. Support the monitoring of placements against measurable and meaningful outcomes agreed within individual placement agreements. This will be done by liaising with providers regarding evidence and documentation; gathering information from children and young people, parents and carers, providers, social workers, independent reviewing officers, health and education professionals.
12. Help to maintain the team database of children's placement resources, including information about quality, value for money and feedback from professionals, evidence of improved outcomes of current placements.
13. Check , process and pay invoices in accordance with financial regulations and standing orders of the Council.
14. Maintain accurate records about all activity relating to the role, which includes updating children's electronic records, monitoring and processing invoices and keeping a robust electronic filing system within the team on casework, contracts and placement related activity. To contribute to management information reporting by producing and maintaining accurate and timely data on personal activity, and children and young people related data including their placements, all costs and expected changes.
15. Prepare and present reports (when appropriate) to the Council's Senior Management Teams and Children's Trusts.
16. Develop good relationships with independent providers, social workers and support staff, education, health workers and other relevant professionals in order to facilitate good communication and joint working on placements, especially in complex cases. This supports a collaborative placement finding process, involving a range of professionals, as well as ensuring that good communication continues throughout the duration of the placement in order to promote placement stability and high quality care.
17. Develop and maintain effective communications systems with external providers including responsibility for consultation with home owners and domiciliary care agencies.
18. Provide advice, guidance and support regarding matters regarding placements and resources to all relevant staff and partners. This includes advising on processes and procedures, including approval processes, following up queries, and challenging staff when process is not followed or issues arise.
Connect2Haltonis a trading style of Halton & Kent Commercial Services LLP- A joint venture between Halton Borough Council & Commercial Services Kent Ltd. Connect2Halton is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.
